It’s been quite the journey since Greensky Bluegrass began back in Kalamazoo, MI all the way up to their first ever sold-out headlining gig at Red Rocks Amphitheatre last night, supported by their jamgrass forefathers Leftover Salmon. To say Paul Hoffman (mandolin), Anders Beck (dobro), Dave Bruzza (acoustic guitar), Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), and and Mike Devol (upright bass) were humbled by the packed house sending nothing but love their way, would be an egregious understatement. At times during their set, it seemed there were moments of complete awe, and at other junctures just straight giddiness.

The gentlemen of Leftover Salmon played a rousing set, as the Colorado natives are apt to do in their home state. Walking into the Red Rocks as their set began, it seemed everyone else had the same idea, as the venue was already jam-packed and rocking. As a full rainbow graced the sky, Vince Herman was screaming “City of Night!” as the group jammed The Doors‘ “L.A. Woman” with everyone in attendance slamming back beers and in full-on party mode. “Breakin’ Thru” featured some beautiful interplay between Drew Emmitt and Andy Thorn and kept the energy high as the band neared the end of their set.

With the lights out and the silhouettes of each member of Greensky walking out to the stage, the opening bass line of “Windshield” starting the set off proper, Red Rocks was teeming with anticipation to see just how the band would respond….and respond they did. The vocals of Paul Hoffman and Dave Bruzza sounded amazing in the setting, while Anders Beck’s dobro made these ghostly wails that bounced off the walls of the venue.

A cover of Pink Floyd‘s “Time” was a highlight of the set, while the sit-in by Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt on “Woody Guthrie” and “Hit Parade of Love” was a bit of a thank you from the young bucks to their elder statesmen, as Beck told the crowd there wouldn’t be a Greensky Bluegrass without Leftover Salmon. A touching moment to be sure. As the first set came to a close, the band just stood on stage drinking in the serendipitous moment.

The second set was chock full of hits as “Letter to Seymour” and “In Control” started the second stanza off. Andy Thorn sat-in during the cover of Randy Travis‘ “Can’t Stop Now”, a song also regularly covered and crushed by The String Cheese Incident, that witnessed both he and Bont trading some serious banjo licks back and forth. As the set progressed, Greensky eased into the saddle and absolutely owned it, with solid version of “Old Barns” and “Demons”.

The set finished with an epic “Broke Mountain Breakdown” into Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” which jammed back into “Broke Mountain Breakdown Reprise”, as the crowd reciprocated with a well-deserved and uproarious cheer. The quintet came back out to encore with “Leap Year”, which allowed everyone to let out those final hoots and hollers before the evening came to a successful finish.

One thing is for certain, Greensky Bluegrass is clearly ready for the next level and, at this point in their career, well-seasoned to play the bigger amphitheaters around the country. This group has come a long way since they began back in Kalamazoo, and last night at Red Rocks was a testament to that notion.

Greensky Bluegrass Setlist – Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, CO – 7/23/2016

Set 1
Windshield  
Just To Lie >
The Four
Worried About the Weather >
Time
Kerosene
Woody Guthrie @
Hit Parade of Love @
Past My Prime
Living Over

Set 2
Letter to Seymour
In Control
Can’t Stop Now $
Jaywalking
Light Up Or Leave Me Alone
Old Barns
For Sure uh huh
Demons
Wings for Wheels
Broke Mountain Breakdown >
Forever Young >
Broke Mountain Breakdown Reprise

Encore
Leap Year

@ – w/ Vince Herman & Drew Emmitt
$ – w/ Andy Thorn

[cover photo courtesy of Dylan Langille – ontheDL Photography]