The lucky attendees of the Portugal. the Man show got to witness music greatness last week at Red Rocks. Queer pop icons Tegan and Sara kicked off the night with a set full of throwbacks and some new favorites. They started their set with one of their earlier hits “Living Room,” As queer musicians, this twin sister duo has been able to relate to the experiences of so many through their lyrics. Fans came ready to dance and support their favorite duo. They finished off with crowd favorite “Closer” to get everyone hyped for the headliners. Everyone who was in attendance with that one person they wanted to get closer with, was encouraged to dance extra hard to this one.
Portugal. the man started their set by welcoming members of the Stronghold Society (a non profit focused on inspiring Native American youth through music, arts, and skateboarding) to acknowledge the land. Walt Poureir, Director of the Stronghold Society, took his time to address the audience, mentioning how we are living in the Age of the Daughters. He stood next to two of his daughters as they took time to address the crowd as well, calling for a ceasefire in Palestine. Lakota Harden then led the crowd in thanking the rocks that produce such a beautiful home for music and culture in Colorado. The band has continuously advocated for indigenous peoples throughout their career, and it doesn’t stop there. In addition, the American Flag that hung from John Gourley’s mic stand read “Impose Imperialism Worldwide / Ceasefire Now!”
Once the band took the stage, the energy rose and got people on their feet to dance the night away. They started by playing a handful of songs off their album Evil Friends, which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
On stage with them was Philly based band SNACKTIME. They provide the most beautiful brass section and backing vocals during the set, along with a few of their own songs. After hearing an original SNACKTIME song, the band played through their whole 2009 album The Satanic Satanist. If the crowd wasn’t already rowdy at the start, they sure were once they realized how much music we were going to hear that night.
They continued to share the stage with their many collaborators and friends including Quinn Christopherson, Alaska based singer songwriter, and Electric Guest, who helped co-write the band’s biggest single to date, “Feel It Still.” If the whole two-and-a-half hour long set wasn’t enough, they ended their show with the Rage Against The Machine song, “Killing In The Name Of” to get the crowd rowdy one last time. We know this isn’t going to be the last time we see Portugal. the Man at the rocks, so until then!
