Photos + Review by Dave the Photo Guy
Touring in support of their latest album, 2022’s Cool It Down, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s hit Red Rocks Amphitheatre on June 5th with Perfume Genius, performing music from the new album as well as old favorites.
Just as doors opened, a very wet afternoon on the Rocks gave way to a beautiful evening hosted by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. As if it was meant to be. After returning to Red Rocks for the first time since 2009, Karen O knew she had a captive audience and she held them in the palm of her hand with all the comfort and confidence her fans have come to appreciate.
A rising icon in both the LGBTQ+ community and the art-pop genre, Perfume Genius broke the evening wide open with his usual sneaky-good performance. It wasn’t his first time cracking the relative silence at Red Rocks to an audience that is largely underexposed. What started off as a few hundred people ‘in the know’ losing their minds when he took the stage, by the time “Otherside” drenched the crowd in the feels with its huge presence, nearly everyone was intently listening and easily won-over. Striking guitars and a bass guitar that made my bones reverberate, it reminded me why I love the tactile experience of concerts. Wrapping up their set with “Queen”, it was apparent that I was watching what could very well be Perfume Genius’ last show at Red Rocks as an opening act.
Set List:
Your Body Changes Everything
Without You
Describe
Wreath
On the Floor
Otherside
Slip Away
Eye in the Wall
My Body
Queen
In a perfect segue into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs performance, Perfume Genius joined Karen O onstage for the first song of their set with a duet of 2023’s Grammy nominated “Spitting Off the Edge of the World”. For anyone that’s seen their shows, it was no surprise that KO took the stage with a dazzling outfit that matched her stage presence. With a beaming smile and hands raised to the sky as if basking in the magic atmosphere that Red Rocks provides, the almost whimsical, twirling Karen O owned the night. So much so, it was hard to remember that…yes…in fact, there was an incredible band behind her including powerhouse drummer Brian Chase with his less prevalent traditional grip style. It was only in reviewing my photos from the night that I realized I made a big mistake in focusing my lens almost solely on Karen and completely missed my opportunity to cover one of my favorite drummers. Saving their hit radio singles “Maps” and “Heads Will Roll” until the end of their set, they rewarded fans that stayed late on a Monday night with an incredible encore. Yeah Yeah Yeahs were back, and they were perfect!
Set List:
Spitting Off the Edge of the World (with Perfume Genius)
Cheated Hearts
Pin
Shame and Fortune
Burning
Zero
Wolf
Soft Shock
Lovebomb
Blacktop
Sacrilege
Turn Into
Gold Lion
Maps
Heads Will Roll
Encore:
Y Control
Date With the Night
Two dates remain on Yeah Yeah Yeah's current tour! Click for tickets!
