Welcome, Guest

Yarn: MeadowGrass and Quixote's - Colorado - Memorial Day Weekend 2011

Bottom of Page

1 to 18 of 18

  1.  
  1.  
    Well hello everyone! I used to say I'm Colorado's biggest Yarn fan but after this weekend I would imagine I'm now just one of many Colorado Yarn fans.

    I'm sitting here at work after the long weekend and finding it very difficult to think about anything other than my first live Yarn experience. I've been listening to recordings for a little over a year (first live show downloaded from Archive was 12-11-2009, which is still my favorite recording and the one I always use to turn on new people) but even that could not prepare me for the rock and roll powerhouse that these boys brought to Colorado. Hearing it live completely blew me away! And judging by the smiles on all the dancing faces around me both nights, everyone in attendance had their minds equally blown.

    I wasn't able to make it up to their first stop on the tour but there couldn't have been a more ideal location to experience Yarn for the first time than the MeadowGrass music festival. In the heart of the Black Forest just north of Colorado Springs, the festival took place in a wide open meadow surrounded by tall pines, breathtaking views of Pikes Peak and weather that could not be beat. This was a family festival and I was lucky enough to be there with my wife and 2 kids. With as much exposure as they've had to Yarn, think 6 year old girl in the back seat of the car singing "when you're down on your luck and you need somebody baby, I hope that you can understand" right in time, it was very exciting to all be there together. Earlier in the afternoon I introduced myself to Blake and Ricky and handed over a bottle of John Powers whisky, thanks for the recommendation RC. Blake said you know his drinking tastes better than he does. Both Blake and Ricky couldn't have been nicer. Once show time arrived my son and I went up front and stood between Andrew and Blake. Right out of nowhere this band takes the stage and proceeds to get everyone up and dancing. They played for around and hour and a half and clearly stole the show at the festival. I unfortunately didn't write down the setlist, sorry RC, and I'm kicking myself for not asking Blake for the list after the show but fortunately Andrew said he recorded all 3 shows and he'll put them up on Archive in a few. Highlights for me were Abilene, Music's Only Outlaw, the “cool church” sign-along under the big tent to Shine the Light On and my son turning to me during Don't Break My Heart Again after Night Train and saying, "didn't we already hear this song". All in all this was a shared experience that we will never forget.

    The following night at Quixote's True Blue was a much different setting and frame of mind. Quixote's is a deadhead bar in Denver with a couple stages inside and one outside. Again with the perfect weather the show was outside in a very intimate setting surrounded by downtown skyscrapers. We got there a little after 10 and the opening band was still on. We had time to have a few drinks, talk with the guys and prep for what was going to be another incredible night of music. I would guess there were around 60 to 80 people out for the show. Once Empty Pockets started, the entire crowd began to move and the grins on everyone’s faces, once again, said it all. Who could hear this music and not become an instant fan? Hearing and seeing the precision, musicianship and badass rock and roll that came from these guys is something that again I feel privileged to have been a part of. I sure hope they felt the love and support from all of us here and continue coming back again and again. They took the stage around 10:45 and didn’t stop until 1:45! Highlights for me, besides everything, were Angel In Woodstock which was simply beautiful and just as the sing-along to Shine The Light On was perfectly suited for the big tent at MeadowGrass, there couldn't have been a more appropriate sing-along for Quixote's than I Wanted To Get High. I would say my favorite song from this night, from the entire weekend for that matter, was Along The Way. So powerful and Andrew's solo was completely out of this world. The night ended with handshakes, pictures and good byes. It couldn’t have been any better.

    BTW, it was really cool to have the entire band out here. It seems fairly common to have someone absent on any given night so to have everyone including Trevor was truly a treat.

    I took a bunch of photos. Once I figure out how and where to post them online I’ll post a link.

    Thank you YARN!!!

    cannedoxygen
    •  
      CommentAuthorbadlab
    • CommentTimeMay 31st 2011
     
    Wow... now that's what I call a review... thanks canned, looks like they tore up CO, like they do everywhere they go. I have 6 year old who does the same thing when Down on Your Luck comes on, he is getting to see his first show in a few weeks. Thanks again for all the details.. I can't wait to hear the shows.
    • CommentAuthorsuemck2
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011
     
    Thanx for the review Canned. It's always great to hear Yarn is appreciated like they should be - especially when they break into new territory. Had a huge grin just reading your review ;) Can't wait to hear the shows - thanx to Andrew for taping them.
    •  
      CommentAuthortous
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011
     
    Great review...thanks. The boys sure deserve all the success they've had so far and even more coming their way this year, hopefully.
  5.  
    Great stuff Canned, can't thank you enough as we're all curious about how it went out your way.

    Told you that even you'd be amazed! I thought a couple of times while watching an eager festival crowd dancing it up to rather mediocre music this weekend just how Yarn would be blowing them all away. Got back to camp each night and cranked Yarn to hear those clears strings, terrific harmonies and great songs.

    They should def headline a festival~
    • CommentAuthorPONZ
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011
     
    good stuff canned! glad you had a great time.

    is there a way to set up a snapfish acct. or something of the like where we could all just upload pics of yarn. maybe just have the password be yarn123 or something? ive never had a picture account with any website so i dont know how it all works...sounds like it could be a nice fan collaboration.
  7.  
    Here are some pics...


    MeadowGrass Pictures


    Quixotes Pictures


    In my opinion, Yarn was the headliner Saturday night. For the type of festival it was the 6 - 8 slot was the best place to be. By the time John Doe took the stage the crowd began to thin out.


    Our local paper thought Yarn stole the show as well.
    • CommentAuthorearlbny
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011 edited
     
    Welcome aboard Canned. Thanks for the great review. I am so glad you had fun. I don't have any kids yet but when I do I bet they will be singing along as well. Yarn is like a drug. Once you start you can’t stop. One of these days when Yarn is headlining Bonnaroo and playing the 10th annual Yarn Ball Festival we will be looking back on the days when they were playing little bars and this message board had less then 50 members. Lol BTW I would not be surprised if Yarn did not have a set list. I have seen plenty of Yarn shows where they have no set list and just make it up as they go along.
    •  
      CommentAuthorhoppedup
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011
     
    A comment on a facebook post on the Colorado gigs :"unsurprising but splendid nonetheless" - Rex Moroux

    Now I know I've had a hard one. Ha!

    Nice review, canned. Welcome to the asylum. It's okay, we're all crazy here. My daughter particularly likes singing along to "Singing Jim Croce". Which does not please my wife. (insert 'hoppedup doesn't please his wife, either' joke here)
  10.  
    Ha Ha, I told my son that his middle school jazz band should do a cover of Wanted To Get High.


    .....ok, now just the second graders~
  11.  
    This years 4th grade musical will be a selection of songs from Yarn. Ready kids? Begin.

    My demon is alcohol
    My demon is drugs
    My demon is women
    And everything I love

    Asylum seems fitting hoppedup! I was a dancing, singing maniac all weekend. It was great.

    BTW, what's the key to making URL's in forum posts?
    •  
      CommentAuthortous
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011
     
    I've been using href tags manually but if there's an easier way...
    •  
      CommentAuthorhoppedup
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011 edited
     
    href tag is the only way I know on this forum. For example:


    coloradosprings.com Article
    •  
      CommentAuthorhoppedup
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2011 edited
     
    Which would be written like this:


    <a href="http://www.coloradosprings.com/articles/yarn-10793-fans-meadowgrass.html ">
    coloradosprings.com Article</a>

    Just make sure you check Html below the message window.
  15.  
    That did it. Thank you hopped.
    •  
      CommentAuthortous
    • CommentTimeJun 22nd 2011
     
    Need some help, folks.

    Got two shows from Andrew, both dated 5/28. One is clearly Meadowgrass, the other is two sets...probably from 5/27? Anyone know the venue?

    Sure wish they archived old dates on their site!

    Thanks
  17.  
    The 5/27 show was at the
    Stage Stop     in Rollinsville.

    Hopefully Andrew will give you the show from 5/29 which was at Quixotes True Blue. That was a nearly 3 hour show with no breaks.
    •  
      CommentAuthortous
    • CommentTimeJun 23rd 2011
     
    Thanks..yup, I have the Quixote's show...matter of time to get to it!

1 to 18 of 18

  1.  
Back to Discussions Top of Page