Big Thief Returns to Swoon Denver’ Mission Ballroom

Big Thief returned to Denver as the masses filled the Mission Ballroom to hear this amazing group of musicians. 

Though the band – still media darlings – recently release the 20 track album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You, they opened with two of Adrianne Lenker’s songs “ingydar” and “not a lot, just forever,” sweetly warming up the crowd over Lenker’s deeply personal and brilliant lyrics.

They popped right into the Spotify top track “Simulation Swarm,” and that got people moving. As with many hits, the band felt the surge of familiarity that this song is a hit that will be played a lot. The craftsmanship of the ensemble put master touches through it and other songs throughout the evening. 

“Flower of Blood” took the show into a wall of noise that continued into a Sonic Youth-reminiscent “Not” – it was a hard-driving blast that melted the Denver scene’s face.

The title track of the new album weaved into more instrumental heaven with the heavenly pair of Lenker and guitarist Buck Meek leading us through some of the more pastoral sounds of rock. “Contact,” from the 2019 album, was nice for long time fans, after which Lenker and all went into three unreleased tracks that were well received by insiders. 

“Dried Roses,” “Certainty,” and “Spud Infinity” – from the recent release – showed that Big Thief really are at the top of their game. The encore finished with “Black Diamonds” and “Masterpiece” – truly a song for its namesake – for an appreciative Denver that really showed up for this amazing band.

Check out a playlist of the night’s setlist: