On Friday night, Colorado’s Magic Beans played a hometown gig at Denver’s Summit Music Hall, marking the band’s debut performance at the spacious downtown Denver venue. Coming off of an extensive fall tour over the past two months, fans were eager to see what the Beans had to offer up, as a massive line wrapped halfway around the block. Denver locals Eminence Ensemble helped get the evening off to a rocking start, with their high-octane jams, and evident evolution as a band over the past year. Taylor Frederick and Justin Neely traded off firey hot guitar solos, as the six-piece rock fusion outfit got the venue bouncing.

With a should-to-shoulder packed venue, Magic Beans opened up their set with “Mr. Scientist”, as bassist Chris Duffy laid down the song’s signature bass groove, allowing keyboardist Casey Russell to add an extra layer of funk on his synth. Duffy and drummer Cody Wales picked up the pace, as the quartet coasted into a well-executed untzy-jam, chock-full of Scott Hachey’s tasty licks on his beautiful Alembic guitar. With Russell leading the way on vocals, the Beans dove into “What In The World”, harnessing their funkier side. Russell found a feel-good groove on the synth, before Hachey set the room on fire with a scorching solo, continuing to peak, before Duffy dropped a massive bass bomb leading back into “What In The World’s” main theme.

Magic Beans threw an extremely well-executed curveball next, as Hachey led the way through a hearty helping of hip-hop. A cover of Fabolous’ “I Can’t Deny It” got the three-song medley off to an entertaining start, which eventually led way to Ludacris’ “Rollout” and Cam’Ron’s “Hey Ma”. Magic Beans can do it all, and last night’s decision to bring a heavy dose of hip-hip was the perfect remedy for the rowdy Denver crowd. During the latter, Hachey put his guitar down, and stepped up front and center to belt out the beloved Killa Cam lyrics. The room erupted, as Hachey picked his guitar back up and guided the band into “Next Episode”.

Hachey kept the hip-hop spirit of the night alive, teasing “Snoop Doggy Dogg”, “Regulate”, “Xplosive”, “What’s The Difference”, and “Still D.R.E”, as well as George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog”. “Next Episode” led way to an improv-heavy take on “Mission”. After sailing out of the main theme of “Mission”, Hachey took the lead on a blissful solo, with Duffy and Wales keeping things extra tight in the pocket. Russell and Hachey showcased some delicate interplay, before Hachey set Summit Music Hall on fire with a scorching guitar solo.

Last night got a little crazy, as the Beans smoothly segued into an exploratory rendition of “Here On Out”. Duffy and Wales are a force to be reckoned with, and the quick-witted duo set the rhythmic pace for the remainder of the show. Hachey dazzled the hometown crowd with an infectious guitar riff, taking his time to let the jam organically grow and evolve into a deep psychedelic journey. Magic Beans then moved into “Do Your Thang”, before bringing their heavy-hitter set to a close with “Contraband”. The Beans invited up Eminence Ensemble for their encore, as the 10 musicians worked through a silky smooth take on Prince’s “I Feel For You”. Hachey and Russell both grew up and spent their childhood years in the suburbs of Minneapolis, so jamming on a tribute to The Purple One was a very fitting finale for Magic Beans’ hometown throwdown.

Magic Beans Superjam w/ Eminence Ensemble – “I Feel For You”

[Video: Ali J Multimedia]

Photos from Friday night’s show in Denver can be seen in the gallery below thanks to photographer Tara Gracer.

Up next for Magic Beans is a two-night run at Keystone, CO’s Goat Soup & Whiskey Tavern, followed by the band’s three-night New Year’s Eve run in support of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. The Beans then head out for an extensive co-headlining 2019 winter tour with Montana-bred bluegrass outfit Kitchen Dwellers. Each show during the upcoming monthlong tour—which spans from Saturday, January 12th, to Saturday, February 8th,—will feature full sets from both bands in addition to nightly sit-ins and collaborations.

For ticketing information and a full list of Magic Beans’ upcoming tour dates, head to the band’s website here.

Setlist: Magic Beans | Summit Music Hall | Denver, CO | 11/30/2018

Set: Mr. Scientist, What In The World > Can’t Deny It (Fabolous) > Rollout (Ludacris) > Hey Ma (Cam’Ron) > Next Episode*, Mission^ > Here On Out, Do Your Thang, Contraband

Encore: I Feel For You (Prince) +

* Atomic Dog (George Clinton) tease
^ Duffzone
+ Superjam with Eminence Ensemble