Photo by August J

The sense of community and family-like togetherness paired with some of the best sets we’ve seen performed by livetronica band Lotus were worth every mile traveled and penny spent this past New Year’s weekend. Finishing up their sold out 5 night East Coast New Year’s run at Baltimore’s Rams Head Live, the quintet finished out 2012 with class and funkiness. The music was tight and hard-rocking but tribute must be paid to the amazing people a part of this wonderful experience. As usual the band put their fans easy at ease with their uplifting and blissful sound and aura and fans from across the country came together in celebration for their mutual love of the band and to ring in 2013.

The final performance of the weekend was chock full of their best and most popular songs. The highlight came with the countdown to midnight followed by ‘Umbilical Moonrise’ (including ‘Auld Lang Syne’). New Year’s Eve was definitely their night to shine, and lead guitarist Mike Rempel effortlessly glided through songs like ‘Spiritualize’, ‘Sid’ and ‘Moonrise’, with his facial expressions and obvious love of his instrument making him simply a joy to watch. ‘Plant Your Root’ received a warm welcome after being teased the night before, highlighting bassist Jesse Miller’s catchy bass lines in the breakdown as they are coupled with Rempel’s guitar effects. Lotus paid tribute to their long-standing fans with rarely played ‘L’immeuble’, ‘Wooly Mammoth’, and ‘Colorado’. Other song highlights included ‘Tip of the Tongue’, played early in the first set, and an impressive ‘Greet the Mind’ following ‘Moonrise’. The band did an excellent job keeping their set well-rounded and fresh throwing in ‘Uffi’ off their new album as well as ‘Cannon in the Heavens’, a hip-hop version of the song ‘Golden Ghost’ that really showcases the talent keyboardist/guitarist Luke Miller possesses. Chuck Morris’ unique skills as a percussionist continue to stand out, proving what an incredible asset to the band he is since his return in late 2010. Lotus ended the show with ‘Bush Pilot’, a tight, well put together, and excellently executed version of the song as they hit each section change with ease.

Overall, the weekend was filled with top notch music, lasting friendships and ear to ear smiles. The band will be taking a few weeks off before they begin their winter tour on January 24th at the Higher Ground in Burlington, VT. They are also scheduled to release their newest album Build on February 19th.

12/31/12 Rams Head Live
Set 1: Harps, Tip of the Tongue, Turquoise, Sid -> We Are Now Connected -> Drums -> 72 Hrs Awake, L’immeuble -> Jump Off

Set 2: Spiritualize -> Count Down -> Umbilical Moonrise -> Aue Lang Syne -> Umbilical Moonrise, Greet the Mind, Uffi, Wooly Mammoth, Plant Your Root -> Spiritualize, Cannon in the Heavens, 128

E: Colorado, Bush Pilot