Fans at the first two nights of The String Cheese Incident‘s New Year’s run at Broomfield, CO’s 1STBANK Center witnessed two solid performances, all leading up to the big night. To just say the group delivered would be an understatement. Cheese laid it all out on the table for a three set extravaganza that featured some of the band’s biggest hits, and a few surprises thrown in for good measure.
With a packed house ready to ring in the New Year, SCI came out strong with a “San Jose” opener that got things going early on and never let up from there. “Outside and Inside” led into a cover of the Allman Brothers Band‘s “Hot ‘Lanta” before veering its way into the Grateful Dead‘s “Deal” to close out the set.
If the first set was good, the second set was straight fire. “Close Your Eyes” saw Kyle Hollingsworth take the lead, and despite playing with a cast on his left hand, it proved to not be as much of a hinderance as you would expect. “Orange Blossom Special” brought the hoedown to the 1STBANK Center, and featured nice work on the violin from Michael Kang. SCI opened things up with “Best Feeling,” as the group sandwiched a cover of The Police‘s “Walking On The Moon” (with Michael Travis on vocals) before making their way back into a serious “Best Feeling” jam. And then “Howard” happened, and it was absolutely glorious, with everyone in the crowd going bonkers.
For their New Year’s proper set, the gentlemen of SCI strolled out on stage all decked out in suits and tuxedos, making it a truly formal affair. “Youv’e Got The World” was the song that brought us into 2017, as a Cirque du Soleil style performance ensued, with acrobats streaming down from the rafters, dancing on platforms on the floor, and a huge silver ball opening up to reveal a Merry-Go-Round of performers riding horses. And lots of balloons and confetti!
The dark, brooding build to the drop into “Rivertrance” had the crowd foaming at the mouth, as the fan-favorite brought out the tribal vibe that we were all anticipating the entire night, whipping the venue into a complete frenzy. A Keith Moseley-led “Sirens” was a welcome addition to the set, while “Beautiful” closed out the show. It’s one of the best new songs the group has come out with in recent years, and has become a major jam vehicle.
For the encore, SCI covered Bob Dylan‘s “The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)” before closing things out with “Sitting On Top Of The World”….which we were all doing on this very special night. Front to back, this show was absolutely stellar, with not one dull moment. It was a masterful performance through and through. The String Cheese Incident was at the top of their game on New Year’s Eve, and when that happens, there is no other place in the world to be.
“Walking On The Moon > Best Feeling”:
“Just One Story” New Year’s Ball Drop:
“Rivertrance”
“Sirens > Beautiful”:
[all videos courtesy of PhatBeats 420]
All photos courtesy of Jake Cudek; see a full gallery below.
Setlist: The String Cheese Incident | 1STBANK Center | Broomfield, CO | 12/31/16
Set 1: San Jose, Song In My Head, MLT, Who Am I, Outside and Inside > Hot ‘Lanta > Deal
Set 2: Close Your Eyes, Looking Glass > Orange Blossom Special, Get Tight, Best Feeling > Walking On The Moon > Best Feeling, Howard, You’ve Got The World
Set 3: You’ve Got The World, Just One Story, Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance, Rivertrance, Sirens, Beautiful
Encore: The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo), Sitting On Top Of The World
