Last night in Colorado, Twiddle played the first of a two-night stand at the Boulder Theatre. Twiddle’s previously scheduled performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre show with moe. and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong this weekend was canceled due to moe. bassist Rob Derhak’s recent diagnosis of cancer. Despite the somber circumstances surrounding the cancelation, the Vermont jammers decided to keep the positive vibes alive for the weekend. Joining them for the first night was Bozeman, MT’s own galaxy-grass quartet, Kitchen Dwellers.

moe. And Twiddle To Auction Signed Red Rocks Flag For Charity

It was announced earlier that both bands would each play a set of their own music, with the night culminating in a special collaborative third set. Twiddle and the Dwellers are no strangers to each other, as the acts have previously toured with one another and Twiddle guitarist Mihali Savoulidis joined the bluegrass act in the studio on “Vision of Mohr” from their latest release Ghost in the Bottle (check out video of both bands performing the number below).

The Dwellers’ opening set held a number of stand-out performances of tunes off of their latest release in addition to older numbers, such as “Farmer’s Son” from their 2013 self-titled debut. The well-written tale that is “Gypsy”—also off Ghost in the Bottle—showcased the vocal skills of banjo player Torrin Daniels. For “The Crown,” bassist Joe Funk stepped up to the mic while mandolinist Shawn Swain and Daniels furiously traded solos and Max Davies delivered rhythm guitar and beautiful vocal harmonies. The Dwellers closed their set out with a rousing rendition of the classic Eagles’ number “Take It Easy,” which had the house rocking and further proved why this talented young bluegrass act is on the brink of taking things to the next level.

“Take It Easy”

For the next set, Twiddle once again proved why they are a force to be reckoned with. The group laid it down for the Boulder faithful on night one, with a setlist that consisted of tunes ranging across the band’s thirteen-year career. The Vermont quartet opened up with the PLUMP number “Nicodemus Portulay,” followed by a “Syncopated Healing” housing a well-played extended jam. “Doinkinbonk!!!” got weirdly psychedelic, while “Orlando’s” saw both Savoulidis and keyboardist Ryan Dempsey go off on their own solo tangents. Bassist Zdenek Gubb and drummer Brook Jordan held down the rhythm during “Orlando’s”, eventually bringing the song to a massive “Da-da-da-da-da” sing-a-long of the chorus. As the group continued their set, eventually ending their solo performance on high with a rendition of “Blunderbuss” and its classical-music stylings.

“Syncopated Healing”

Following the two spot-on performances by Twiddle and Kitchen Dwellers, the packed house was reeling in anticipation for the two group’s special collaborative set. It was clear from the first notes of the collaborative set that these two acts have a relationship that goes beyond the music. It’s no easy feat to have two full bands share the stage and play each other’s songs so effortlessly—but that is exactly what happened. The opening ten-minute version of Kitchen Dwellers’ “Vision of Mohr” brought the energy levels up exponentially. As the two groups went into “Subconscious Prelude” from Twiddle’s 2007 album Natural Evolution of Consciousness, it was clear that the special performance was going to exceed all expectations. Once “Mountain” happened, there wasn’t a still body in the house. The set continued on and proved to be a how-to clinic in collaboration with epic versions of “Buckle Down” and “Hattibagen McRat.” Eventually, the two groups ended with an encore of “Hattie’s Jam” into “When It Rains It Pours,” ensuring smiles and good vibes abounded at the show’s close.

TwiDwellers’ “Vision of Mohr”

Twiddle continues their Boulder Theater run with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong for a sold-out show this evening. Check out a full gallery of photos from the night, courtesy of C. B. Klein.

Kitchen Dwellers Setlist | Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO | 8/11/17:

Farmers Son, Southern Flavor > Colder Nights, Auggie, Gypspy, Shadows, The Crown, The Living Dead, Take It Easy (Eagles cover)

Twiddle Setlist | Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO | 8/11/17:

Nicodemus Portulay, Syncopated Healing, Doinkinbonk!!!, Orlando’s, Second Wind, Beethoven and Greene, Honeyburste, Blunderbuss

TwiDwellers Setlist | Boulder Theater | Boulder, CO | 8/11/17:

Visions of Mohr, Subconscious Prelude, Mountain, Cabbage Face, Buckle Down, Hattibagen McRat

E: Hattie’s Jam > When It Rains It Pours

The Kitchen Dwellers head out on fall tour with bluegrass brethren, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, and will make their way to New York City’s American Beauty on Thursday, October 5th. Get ticket here!