Photos by Michael McGrath, Words by Amy McGrath
A trio of C’s from the midwest brought a dizzying night of driving, post-hardcore power rock to Denver’s Bluebird Theater on Thursday and a good time was had by a whole roomful of flannel-decked men and about 12 badass women. Bookended by sets from Omaha-based bands Criteria and Cursive, Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings turned in the brightest, most joyful set of the night.
Cloud Nothings pairs lead singer Dylan Baldi’s almost dementedly addictive pop melodies with the joyful pummeling of Jayson Gerycz, one of Indie rock’s most outstanding drummers. Their set at the Bluebird was a runaway train of ecstatic power pop, including a mosh pit (mostly flannel decked dudes with a few tough babes throwing shoulders at the edges) chanting “I miss you cuz I like damage!” during the howling “Cut You.”
Cursive’s set was a mathier, edgier affair featuring Tim Kasher’s angsty vocals, complimented by the resonant electric cello of Megan Seibe. The setlist featured a few songs from 2019’s Get Fixed but also included plenty for long-time Cursive fans to sink their teeth into including standouts from 2003’s The Ugly Organ like “Some Red-Handed Sleight of Hand,” and “Art is Hard.”
