Before Interpol hit the stage, the crowd at Red Rocks had experienced a typical Colorado spring over the course of three opening bands and three hours.
Sunflower Bean digital-era 70s rock came to life with some light overcast and the sun occasionally peaking through the clouds. Japanese Breakfast‘s dreamy, breezy pop was a perfect compliment to the rain and the fog. Amidst the rain, graupel, and snow, Will Toldeo and Car Seat Headrest warmed the crowd with their euphoric, hook-filled indie rock.
Finally, the clouds parted way, the rain and snow subsided, and Interpol, lead by Paul Banks, channeling a strong “Return of the Jedi”-era Luke Skywalker vibe, moved effortlessly through an extensive catalog of hits. Opening with “Pioneer to the Falls” and then jumping into “C’mere”, Interpol spent the majority of their nearly 2-hour perfectly blending old and new songs, taking the crowd on their creative journey from their early start as one of the founders of the early 2000s post-punk movement to a festival-playing rock band. The combo of “Evil” off of 2004’s Antics into “Fine Mess”, their most recent single off of a forthcoming EP, showed that although the band has evolved throughout the course of their 20-plus year career, they are still creating music that harkens back to their early influences, bands like Joy Division and Nirvana.
A nearly sold-out crowd, including a handful of teens and pre-teens, braved the cold temps to witness Interpol’s Red Rocks debut. Throughout the night, Banks’ vocals mesmerized and enchanted the crowd, while the band displayed their strong post-punk chops to warm the crowd.
Interpol closed the evening and their set with fan-favorite “Obstacle 1”. With such a strong debut at Red Rocks, let’s hope that Interpol visits the legendary venue again in the near future.
Photos/Review – Manuel Aragon
