DeVotchKa @ Mile High Festival July 19th, 2009 – Image Rollo & Grady

This was Rollo & Grady’s first year at the Mile High Music Festival and we were pleasantly surprised. The festival was held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on 900+ acres of grass and astro turf soccer fields about 10 miles outside of Denver in Commerce City, CO. There were 50 acts at this year’s Mile High, spread out over 2 days and 5 stages including The Wailers, DeVotchka, Tool, Lyrics Born, Gov’t Mule, Dead Confederate, The Black Keys, Thievery Corporation and headliners Widespread Panic to name a few.

Thievery Corporation @ Mile High Festival July 19th, 2009 – Image Rollo & Grady

Even though some of the acts we wanted to see were playing in close time slots, the layout at Mile High made it easy to navigate between stages. The sound was great – we couldn’t hear one band playing on top of another – and generally speaking there was just a good festival vibe.

Matisyahu @ Mile High Festival July 19th, 2009 – Image Rollo & Grady

Saturday highlights included Galactic, Lyrics Born, The Greyboy Allstars, Ben Harper, Tool and Widespread Panic, and while I’m not a huge Tool fan the crowd enjoyed an incredible light show while Widespread Panic played a solid 3 hour set. On Sunday, Denver locals Devotchka’s Bolero/Gypsy sound had people in a frenzy and Robert Randolph and the Family Band had the crowd funkin’ along. Widespread Panic played another impressive 3 hour set Sunday night, but the real breakout performance was Thievery Corporation. Even with Matisyahu in the mix they were by far the most ethnically diverse act with sounds ranging from Indian, to Caribbean, to reggae, house and funk. Joining Thievery Corporation’s mastermind DJ’s Rob Garza and Eric Hilton on stage were a sitar/guitarist, 2 horns, 3 singers, 2 percussionists and a serious bassist. If you get a chance this summer they’re a must see.

As for Mile High – we’re ready for next year.

Gov’t Mule @ Mile High Festival July 19th, 2009 – Image Rollo & Grady

MP3: Thievery Corporation – Mandala

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm and is filed under Rollo & Grady Photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.