Photos by Larry Hulst

The sun set over Red Rocks just after opening act The Avett Brothers lit up the stage on Saturday September 4. Their nearly 90-minute set included favorites from their entire short career and they couldn’t have done it better in any other way. Their quintet -featuring banjo, guitar, bass, cello and drums – played some heartbreakers, rockers, folky ballads and sing-a-longs that not only engrained their talent into the minds of their already-fans, but also garnered the attention of a few who were unfamiliar. Even though they were the opening act, it seemed as though just as many Avett fans had turned out as Mule fans. An impromptu encore seemed unheard of for an opening band, but the brothers Avett lived up to the task.

Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes seems to make more guest appearances than Rob Schneider in an Adam Sandler movie, but it’s always a treat to see him flex his chops. Slightly lacking in big name covers, aside from a first set “D’yer Mak’er,” Mule’s 2-sets were noticeably low in energy compared to their opening act. But, Warren always finds a way to pick up the pace. A second-set “Sco-Mule” featuring Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno featured an “Oye Como Va” tease and a 3-way guitar vs. guitar vs. piano duel. It was easily the most inspired playing of the night. The encore, a “21st Century Schizoid Man”>”We’re Not Gonna Take It”>”Dazed and Confused,” put a cap on the evening as the Mile High City took some deep breaths to come slowly back down to Earth.