Jade Brid @ The Bluebird 07Oct21

Just wow. I caught Jade Bird @ The Bluebird in Denver yesterday after hearing her first at the Bluebird Music Fest @ Macky on CU Boulder campus a week ago. Jade Bird was very good though some full band arrangements delivered through the Bluebird's system and mix challenged me to hear her stellar vocals clearly enough. I cupped my ears like an elephant for a number of tunes ~ in order to focus on the vocals. Sound was better on solo acoustic stuff but all songs were very tightly performed, even executed in a smidge too business-like form for my taste; it was not mechanical, just seemingly nothing ad hoc. Jade is a spectacular vocalist, musician and songwriter, and has honed her performance schtick considerably for the latest LP of material. She's an absolute rock star and a blast to see & hear. Here, late in the concert, she's rapping Americana on "Now Is The Time" ~ completely excellent.

I am a bit ahead of myself. I arrived near the Bluebird after a brutal drive up University Ave and took out walking to the excellent Q House for duck lo mein. I then headed to a favorite brewery, Cerebral, for some tasty DDH IPAs. Especially notable was the DDH DIPA collaboration with Equilibrium... "Y'all Motherfuckers Need Science." Cerebral has turned their prior parking area entirely into a keen outside party spot ~ I took an Adirondack and did some drinking and people watching as I awaited "doors open" @ 7pm.

I arrived at the Bluebird just 10th in line with only 30min to opening. I met some true Jade Bird fans in line as well as folks who were just there for a show, any show seemingly. Once inside I secured a class A position in front of sound guys. As mentioned earlier, it didn't completely work but I was in the best spot. I think Bluebird should do a deep review of their sound system and cant the hanging towers in a bit... recently the Aggie, about the same size, sounded better.

First up, unexpectedly, was Lucky Kilmartin, Jade Bird's guitarist and partner. He has a nice voice and sang four good songs but never went to full voice. Before and during sets I chatted up my neighbors and came to find Suzanne was a classmate with my cousin Jennifer in Summit, NJ ~ small world! The marquee opening act Diana DeMuth was on after Lucky - she was accompanied by a cool percussionist and by her own acoustic guitar. Her voice was excellent and songwriting strong ~ also offering a kind of modern Americana. Excellent five song set.

The best was Jade Bird; no question. I'd done my homework and knew all the tunes and Jade delivered a strong ~70min show. Wailing as she does impeccably, with Lucky leading and sometimes singing backup. They do a nice duet on "To Love Somebody." As mentioned, it was sometimes even too tight a performance, if that even makes sense. I loved it nonetheless and the room was comfortable but a little boomy. The last link is video for a new release "Dressin' Up?" that she offered solo with acoustic ~ new is always notable at concerts.

I would definitely see Jade Bird again ~ I can't believe I missed her last week or so at the Vail Performing Arts Center. She'll be back and likely at Red Rocks, maybe even headlining.