The Big Melt, a brand-new multi-band concert event, will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO. The exciting new venture will see a massive list of artists from bands such as The String Cheese Incident, Lettuce, Big Gigantic, Thievery Corporation, Brazilian Girls, Snarky Puppy, The Motet, Break Science, Ghost-Note, Pretty Lights Live Band and more come together to create several unique, exciting bands and lineups.

The inaugural The Big Melt will see a massive edition of JEDI: Jazz Electronic Dance Improvised featuring renowned mandolinist Michael Kang and percussionist Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident, guitarist Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds/Maador! Soul Sounds, bassist Ashish Vyas of Thievery Corporation, and keyboardist Borahm Lee of Break Science and Pretty Lights Live Band, led by drummer Aaron Johnston of Brazilian Girls. The new, shape-shifting project taps a rotating cast of characters with fully improvised material that typically infuses elements of afrobeat, jazz, electronic music and more.

Following a high-profile sold-out debut performance at Denver venue Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, Dominic Lalli’s Bluebird Quintet will mount their second-ever performance at The Big Melt. In addition to Dominic Lalli (Big Gigantic), the band features Borahm Lee (Break Science, Pretty Lights Live Band) on keys, Gabe Mervine of (formerly of The Motet) on trumpet, Hunter Roberts on bass, and Dru Heller filling the drum chair. Lalli spoke to Live For Live Music about the Bluebird Quintet back in December, explaining that “it’s more of a group playing experience, where everyone has their roles, but we’re all working together to create these moments throughout the set and throughout each piece of music. To try to embody the music but at the same time find your own voice within that framework, while on the spot, improvising.”

Following a sold-out Jazz Fest late-night that went until dawn and a packed headlining performance at Brooklyn Comes Alive 2018, Purple Party: A Tribute To Prince will make its Denver debut at The Big Melt. Headed up by Colorado favorite and Magic Beans keyboardist Casey Russell, this edition of the Purple Party will once again feature enigmatic bass hero and former Prince bassist, MonoNeon, as well as mega-talented drummer Robert “Sput” Searight (Ghost-Note, Snarky Puppy, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar) and his partner in crime and fellow Ghost-Note member, percussionist Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy). Fellow local heroes Joey Porter, Ryan Jalbert, Lyle Divinsky, Drew Sayers, and Parris Fleming of The Motet will round out the band alongside percussionist Will Trask (Great American Taxi) and vocalists Adryon de León (Orgone, Matador! Soul Sounds), Megan Letts (Mama Magnolia), Corey Frye (The Main Squeeze) and Ziek McCarter (Con Brio).

Rounding out the lineup is an Eric Krasno & Friends set which will see frequent collaborator and Lettuce keyboardist/vocalist Nigel Hall, as well as Robert “Sput” Searight (Ghost-Note, Snarky Puppy, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar) and MonoNeon (Prince, Ghost-Note) perform alongside the master guitarist, in addition to special guests Robert Randolph on pedal steel and Casey Benjamin (Robert Glasper Experiment) on sax. Krasno is keeping a few cards up his sleeve, with several unannounced guests on deck to round out what will surely be a very special performance.

The Big Melt has also announced the addition of a HeadCount-sponsored DJ Booth featuring the incredibly talented DJ and turntablist, Chris Karns. Karns, a crucial member of Pretty Lights Live Band, is a former World and USA Battle Champion at the DMC World DJ Championships, a three-time Redbull Thre3style Champion, and a finalist on VH1’s Master of the Mix. Karns will DJ at the HeadCount booth during set breaks on the main stage, as well as during the event’s VIP pre-party.

The Big Melt will also feature visuals by Mad Alchemy Liquid Light Show, best known for their 2018 appearances with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead as well as at several psych/alt-rock festivals like Desert Daze. Get ready for one of “the most complex and detailed oil light shows on the planet,” a style of visual wizardry synonymous with the psychedelic San Francisco music scene in the late-60s and early-70s. There are a few more surprises in store for The Big Melt, so look out for updates as we get closer to the event.

Tickets to The Big Melt go on sale on Friday, February 1st at 12:00 p.m. EST / 10 a.m. MT at this link. A limited, discounted pre-sale with $20 tickets will be running starting for 24-hours on Thursday at 12:00 PM EST / 10 AM MT using the code “CELEBRATE”.

Event: Live For Live Music & Live Nation Present: The Big Melt

Date: Saturday, April 13th, 2019

Artists: Eric Krasno & Friends, Purple Party: A Tribute To Prince, Dominic Lalli’s Bluebird Quintet, and JEDI: Jazz Electronic Dance Improvised feat. members of String Cheese Incident, Thievery Corporation, Break Science & More.

Venue: Fillmore Auditorium – 1510 N Clarkson St, Denver, CO 80218

Tickets: General Admission – $20 (limited quantity) / $25 (limited quantity) / $29.75 // Reserved Seats – $49.75 (Limited Quantity) // VIP: $100 — VIP Includes an exclusive show laminate, early entry to the venue, a show poster, access to the pre-show VIP party featuring food, cash bar, and a hang with some of The Big Melt artists, and a dedicated viewing area at the front of the stage.

Time: Doors – 5:00 PM