Blues Traveler returned to Morrison, CO’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre for their annual Independence Day show on July 4. A tradition dating back to 1992, this year’s Red Rocks show was also part of Blues Traveler’s extended 25th anniversary celebration. Soul/indie group Fitz & the Tantrums opened the show, and Blues Traveler turned in a full two-set show.

During the past few years, Blues Traveler have marked the 20th anniversary of their first few albums by playing those seminal discs in their entirety at Red Rocks. Since Blues Traveler did not release a studio album in 1992, they used the opportunity to perform their new album Suzie Cracks The Whip from front to back as their first set. Onetime American Idol contestant Crystal Bowersox—who appears on the new release—sat in for her song “I Don’t Wanna Go” while Kevin Trainor added electric guitar to “Nobody Fall In Love With Me.”

After opening with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Blues Traveler used their second set to showcase some of their classic songs and greatest hits. Indian singer Falu contributed to “The Path” and Bowersox emerged at the end of the show for “Sweet Talking Hippie.” In other guest news, Julian Gregory played congas with the band during “But Anyway” and “Mulling It Over” at a July 2 warm-up show held at Aspen, CO’s Belly Up.
Blues Traveler will spend most of the summer on Barenaked Ladies’ Last Summer on Earth tour. The extended run kicks off at Toledo, OH’s Toledo Zoo this evening.

Here’s a look at the setlist via Bluestraveler.net

Wednesday, July 4, Red Rocks Ampitheatre, Morrison, CO

Set 1:
You Don’t Have To Love Me
Recognize My Friend
Devil In The Details
All Things Are Possible
Things Are Looking Up
Love Is Everything (That I Describe)
I Don’t Wanna Go (with Crystal Bowersox)
Nobody Fall In Love With Me (with Kevin Trainor)
Cover Me
Saving Grace
Big City Girls
Cara Let The Moon

Set 2:
The Star-Spangled Banner>
Carolina Blues
What I Got>
Love & Greed>
The Mountains Win Again
Gotta Get Mean
Run-Around
The Path (w/Falu)
But Anyway>
Hook

Encore
Sweet Talking Hippie> (w/Crystal Bowersox)
The Devil Went Down To Georgia