Thievery Corporation Steals the Show
Thievery Corporation meant business during their 90-minute Migh High set, which went by too fast. Their music was so good, it transcended time. Still, Mile High-ers dug every second of it.
Like Yoga in the Afternoon
Although the core of Thievery Corporation is a duo of deejays from D.C., their live show includes a 15-piece international band, representing a diversity of musicians, instruments, and singers. Together, they showcase an amazing style of music that draws on elements of acid jazz, reggae, Middle Eastern, classical Indian, and bossa nova.
The music, like the fans that danced to them, seemed friendly and approachable. The whole scene was casual and conscious, a bit like a mid-afternoon yoga class for the mind. Their vibe had a Buddhist OM embedded into it, especially when the sitar player, Rob Myers, graced the stage.
The music felt righteous, comfortable, and prophetic. The jams opened up slowly and steadily, like a lotus, and the crowd opened up with them, dancing in a free form different than any other act on the lineup. The crowd moved with fluidity, as if they were made out-of-liquid, not bones and skin. Thievery's songs were truthful, but not in a preachy way, instead their sound was laced in gentleness and consciousness.
Thievery Corporation shared with Denver, in an effortless way. Their late afternoon performance felt one-hundred-percent-certifiably organic and truly represented one of the highlights of the whole weekend. The music a blessing; the crowd filled with gratitude; the Thievery Corporation experience was completely authentic.
A Different Band for a Different Time
Founding member Rob Garza explains the concept behind Thievery Corporation:
"We definitely want to contribute to the opening of ears, eyes, and minds. With our live shows it's a poignant example of music and culture mixing together in an explosive vibrant way. To see a Persian singer singing in Farsi, as America debates on a war with Iran, next to other band members from all corners of the earth singing in Spanish, Portuguese, French and so on, it makes people wonder . . . and if you can get people to question the things around them, just a little, then that's not such a bad thing."
Unfortunately, the Mile High organizers also scheduled Matisyahu, 3OH!3, and Robert Randolph at the same time, so the crowd at Thievery Corporation was lighter than it should've been, especially if there were heads who had never seen them live. Still, out of all the bands at Mile High, this amazing crew made the most best-of-the-weekend lists.
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