[Photography by Cody Jay Deel]
The Motet have been ruthlessly carving out a name for themselves for over fifteen years. In the past few years, they have branched out and evolved from being the most in demand funk band in Colorado, to one of the most in demand funk bands in the nationwide festival circuit. Along with their original tunes, their creative mastery of classic covers has given the band a legendary reputation of musicianship and wide repertoire, which spans roughly the past 60 years of music in America.
Every year for Halloween, the band gears up for their annual run in Colorado, which has sold out the past several years. Each show has a distinct theme in which both the band and fans put their freakiest foot forward. This year, the band reached back into the underbelly of funk for a “Mixtape 1975” show, an exploration into arguably one of the best years for funk and rock music alike.
DJ Mikey Thunder kicked the night off right with a tasteful selection of funk and should remixes as a steady influx of funky and freaky costumes poured into the boulder theater. Concertgoers fit stylishly well into the seventies theme, many looking fresh out of thrift shops, and others looking so realistically like a pimp that you would assume they had a plush interior and fuzzy dice hanging from the rear mirror of their 72’ Mustang. Costume highlights from the evening included a Wilson from 90’s sitcom “Home Improvement,’ complete with cardboard fence around his neck and a Panama Jack style fishing hat, and an impeccable Walter White, with bald cap, facial hair, and the exact same disgruntled and anxious face worn by Bryan Cranston in “Breaking Bad.”
The Motet set the tone for the night, just by walking on stage wearing all too appropriately over the top 70’s clothing, giving some context to keyboardist Joey Porter’s classic rocker style locks and singer Jans Ingber’s puffy fro.
The energy in the sold out Boulder Theater was electric, as everyone got down in unison to the pumping grooves laid down by the Motet’s rhythm section: Dave Watts on drums, Garrett Sayers on bass, and Ryan Jalbert on guitar. Together, their rhythmic pocket and musical interaction are so on point, it makes them seem as if they are communicating telepathically.
Highlights from the night include “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin, “Low Rider” by War, and “Have a Cigar” by Pink Floyd. The whole set was incredible. At times I felt completely transported to the past, immersed in this incredibly inspired and diverse year in music. Check out the full setlist below:
The Motet’s Halloween shows are arguably the band’s most iconic and long running tradition. The constant sell outs every year speak to the fans response to these shows, and the band’s uncanny talent at capturing the essence of any cover while giving their own fresh and unique perspective on it. Every time I see them, The Motet always deliver the funk like its their job… (which it is). Awesome way to spend Halloween.
