Yonder Mountain String Band and Keller Williams closed out their extended summer tour Saturday night at Morrison, COs Red Rocks Amphitheatre. As expected, the high-profile gig was a collaborative affair that featured an extended set from Williams and a full two-set performance by Yonder. Near the end of Yonder Mountains first set, Williams took the stage for a few songs, including If There’s Still Ramblin’ in the Rambler, Let Him Go, and Boatman.
The group also offered a toast bassist Ben Kaufmann’s upcoming wedding. Williams then returned for the groups encore along with Bill Nershi for high-energy runs through ‘Shady Grove’ and John Hartfords Steam Powered Aereoplane. Oddly enough, next week marks the one year anniversary of String Cheese Incidents final performances, which took place at the famed Colorado venue.
Earlier in the evening, Williams also brought out the four members of Yonder Moutnain String Band in succession during his opening spot. Mandolonist Jeff Austin entered the stage first for a take on the original Running on Fumes, before Dave Johnston picked up his banjo for a cover of Green Days Basket Case. Next up, guitarist Adam Aijala helped Williams nod to Jerry Garcia with Comes a Time and, soon after, Kaufmann emerged run through Bill Joels Big Shot.
A night earlier, Williams and Yonder split up to perform intimate club shows at Denvers Fox Theatre and Boulders Boulder Theater, respectively. Both groups nodded to Garcia on his birthday, while Williams invited out String Cheese Incident bassist Keith Moseley for a chunk of his set. Moseley, who has spent much of the year on the road with Williams as part of the WMDs, appeared on a handful of songs, including String Cheese Incidents Look At Where We Are.
Yonder Mountain String Band is off the road until an August 30 appearance at moe.down, while Williams will appear at Copper Mountain, COs Yarmonygrass Festival on August 16.