OFM Gallery: Medium Build and Rosie Rush at the Bluebird Theatre

If you’re searching for one big, groovy, grounding sonic hug, a Medium Build concert is the place to be. The band, fronted by musician Nick Carpenter, put on an infectiously energetic show at the Bluebird Theater in Denver on 5/17/24 and their performance made it clear that Medium Build is about more than just the music.

Carpenter himself said the show would have “part-emo screaming, part-jam band” vibes, and this unlikely dichotomy did not disappoint. Even with a brief listen to Medium Build’s discography, it’s evident his music is thoughtfully informed from his time growing up in the American south and living life as a “queer extrovert.”

The crowd resonated with live tracks like the somber 2019 hit “Be Your Boy” and inner child anthem “Little Chubby Boy” to the country twang-tinted ballad off Carpenter’s latest album, “Crying Over U.” They met each song with warm smiles and a contagious sense of community.

Medium Build explores life, identity, culture, and love of all kinds with authenticity – all while having so much damn fun doing it.

Alaska-native Rosie Rush opened the night with an impressive lineup of vulnerable self-written songs that set her apart as a remarkable, talented storyteller. Her debut album is set to release later this year.