By Daniel Paiz

Atmosphere & Friends Colorado delivers an action-packed night at Red Rocks with seven outstanding acts. Typically, this article is usually titled Atmosphere Rocks insert number here, but Atmosphere has played Red Rocks so many times that it makes little sense to number it. This is the fifth time Atmosphere has played Red Rocks since COVID started, so it makes sense in that vein.

Anyways, that extensive list of openers performed at a frenetic pace. Switchover times between sets were not long, and it might’ve tired out the crowd by the fifth act. But the good thing about live music is, it can be quite rejuvenating.

The Extensive List of “Openers”

Dee Jay Bird

Dee Jay Bird has been around for quite some time and be brought that experience front and center to Red Rocks. Bouncing around from track to track, playing every sound of different eras, it almost felt like a lounge setting that happened to have seventy rows and massive rocks all around. In years past it might have been a bit faux pas to play the headliner’s music on an earlier set. However, there were three or so Atmosphere tracks played that were definitely closer to the beginning of the headliner’s career. One song even had a DJ shout-out with Bird’s name, so it likely ruffled no feathers.

The mood was definitely set as the first group act of the night stepped to the stage.

CunninLynguists

Deacon the Villain, Natti, and Kno stepped onto the stage to a very excited Red Rocks crowd. There were definitely some fans from Kentucky and Georgia in attendance to witness the two-state trio. These guys got the crowd jumping and served tunes with a fervor that set the tone for every artist after their set.

Several songs from Will Rap for Food, which was very special to witness in person for the first time. Hearing “Lynguistics” live was a bucket list moment unthought to ever come to fruition, let alone at the storied Red Rocks.

Immortal Technique

The ever-militant exterior for Technique has been replaced by a more vulnerable, love-focused emcee. That’s not to say the Harlem rapper isn’t still dropping bars in his standard venomous fashion, but rather several losses in a short amount of time have clearly impacted this artist. It’s natural for loss to shift one’s perspective and appearance.

When it happens in a short amount of time, change happens quicker. Technique reminded fans to refuse in the belief that they aren’t loved. He ended his set sharing a poem about the losses he’s encountered and again reminded fans to focus care and love of others. Technique was talented before, but this version makes this already top-tier emcee even more relatable and vulnerable.

Living Legends

The passing of Living Legends member Aesop the Black Wolf was the focal point of this set, and understandably so. Aesop was a central part of this group, and losing a member suddenly clearly impacted every other member. The set started with Grouch playing a record and getting the crowd involved. Eligh joined on the next song, and one by one each member walked up and performed a verse; but there was a surprise after Eligh stepped out.

Slug came out and performed a verse with Grouch and Eligh. After that, the other members came out one by one. A few records later, Reverie came out and dropped a couple of verses here and there. This performance solely focused on highlighting Aesop and paying homage to their fallen comrade. It was curious what would take place due to the group still processing the loss, but this was the best way to honor Aesop.

Dilated Peoples

Perhaps it was due to the quick changeovers throughout the night, but the crowd was flat when these guys started rapping. DJ Babu delivered his top-tier deejaying and scratching and general dopeness. Evidence and Rakaa Iriscience simultaneously juggling rhymes and checks (okay maybe not checks) ensues as Babu sets his teammates up.

Dilated Peoples delivered their veteran experience very well, and it was well-received about halfway through the set. The trio appeared to sense the crowd’s sentiment, as at this point they were fifth act of the night. By the time classics such as “This Way” and “Work the Angles’ were played, a second wind had slightly revitalized the crowd.

Hieroglyphics

The Oakland, California collective made it known from the jump where they were from, and they were ready to go. As the sixth act of the night, they had the tough spot of rocking a crowd that by this point was at peak levels of anticipation for the headliner. The group did well to pull fans in and cover a wide array of tunes.

Souls of Mischief members Phesto and A-Plus drew listeners in the most with their unyielding energy. Del the Funky Homosapien also energized the crowd with his memorable guest verses from the Gorillaz’s classic tune “Clint Eastwood”. Ending with “’93 ’til Infinity” fully charged the crowd and was the perfect ending for the six “openers” leading up to the headliner.

After all the fun had, oh yeah there’s a headliner still

Atmosphere

Believe it or not, “The Loser Wins” was not the opening track this evening. Instead, it was “Locusts”, one of 26 new tracks released this same Friday on Jestures. However, the ending was a bit more traditional for the past few years, ending with “Okay” and then the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 song, aka “Trying to Find a Balance”. And that was the show.

Okay there were a lot of other songs in between what’s listed above. For those witnessing Atmosphere for the first time, it had to be a beautiful smorgasbord across the discography. For veteran attendees of these shows, the setlist was familiar, with a few twists and turns per usual.

20 years have passed since You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having dropped to the masses. Slug decided it was time to revisit that album for a couple of tracks. “Smart Went Crazy”, “Pour Me Another”, and “Get Fly” were the three entries briefly visited during the set. Fans were pretty ecstatic for these tracks. It felt very spontaneous and natural during the set (clearly planned from the fellas). Little surprises like that are the best.

Seven acts might be the limit for an Atmosphere & Friends Colorado show, but the joy and musical healing produced Friday night was infinite.