Hailing from the vibrant musical landscape of Denver, Colorado, and taking center stage at the legendary Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, rising Denver jam messiahs RADO delivered arguably their largest and most explosive performance to date. With a dynamic display of versatility, cohesion, and ever-expanding improvisational prowess, the Colorado quartet captivated the crowd with an electrifying set that pushed the boundaries of their sound. Opening for the jam collective Everyone Orchestra, the Colorado quartet transformed the bustling ballroom into a swirling spectacle of magic, leaving the dancefloor buzzing with energy and the audience eagerly asking for more.
Like a bat out of hell, RADO wasted no time igniting the Denver crowd, kicking things off with a pocket-heavy rendition of “Bass Invades” from their most recent effort, Pocket Therapy. Bassist Kevin MacKinnon shook Cervantes to its very core, laying down thick, low-end grooves that seemed to vibrate the foundation of the venue, while guitarist Dylan Tuthill dosed the bassline with enough reverb and delay to confuse low-passing satellites in the stars above. An appetizer to the main course, “Run n Hyde” followed—the opening track from RADO’s debut album, Baker’s Measurements. This is where things really began to take off, as crisp, angular leads danced over the rhythm section like a kaleidoscope of sound. Stretching nearly to the 15-minute mark, the band found themselves trading licks effortlessly, all while directing the audience on a carefully crafted musical journey. The jams were patient, controlled, and well executed—the signs of a band that listens to each other with deep respect for the musical tapestry unfolding in front of them. Tuthill’s searing leads intertwined with keyboardist James Hatch’s swirling synth work, while MacKinnon and drummer Benny Cummings kept the grooves locked in and controlled. Listen closely, and you can even hear dashes of Phish’s famed Island Tour “Cavern” dancing between the grooves of the jam. Each member was synchronized, ready to prove to the world they were more than capable of controlling the Denver spotlight.
Next up, it was time for keyboardist James Hatch to take the audience to Chemistry 101, as the mad scientist himself took control of the audience and vocals for an absolutely epic rendition of “Thank You Mr. Science,” a staple in the RADO catalog. Mixing up raw dough like a bakery behind a deadline, the band built behind Hatch’s lead vocals to deliver a triumphant release of audio expertise. As the chorus echoed throughout the halls of Cervantes, the energy in the room peaked, before the band dropped into a hypnotic groove, this time taking shape in the form of a melody familiar to Disco Biscuits fans. As the bubble of positivity swelled, RADO shifted into the Biscuits’ “Ring the Doorbell Twice,” sending smiles across the faces of those who recognized the tune. Paying homage to their jamtronica forebears, all while putting their own charismatic stamp on the song, RADO drove the piece to new heights and otherworldly dimensions. Energy in the room reached critical mass, and the dance party was in full effect, with balloons painting the ceiling like a hot air balloon in the night sky, as the crowd swayed with every note.
Dancing in the ether, the band slowly landed the proverbial plane back into the ending of “Thank You Mr. Science,” much to the audience’s delight. It was one of many highlights of the night, yet RADO still had plenty of tricks up their sleeve. After a brief pause to let the audience collect their minds, the band launched into a series of unexpected, yet well-received covers. Bassist Kevin MacKinnon took center stage with a powerhouse rendition of “Fly Away,” channeling Lenny Kravitz with soaring vocals that highlighted RADO’s impressive range. The energy continued to surge with a raucous take on “California Love,” cleverly reworked as “Colorado Love.” The crowd roared in approval, singing along as RADO infused the West Coast anthem with their signature jammed-out style. The improvisational middle section ventured into unexpected terrain, first flirting with reggae grooves before lifting into rock ’n’ roll boundaries, led by keyboardist James Hatch on what sounded like a distant cousin of the melodica. Drummer Benny Cummings drove the rhythm with punchy, offbeat accents, keeping the dancefloor moving as the jams unfolded.
With the energy high and the music just right, guitarist Dylan Tuthill announced, “We’ve got a few more left for you,” to the gleeful crowd before diving into the final, delicious sandwich of the night. “Anxious Eggs” appeared in the closer spot, a RADO staple that built relentlessly into an emotional peak before dissolving into the spacey “Got the Money.” Dark, moody vibes filled the air, gradually lifting into the euphoric explosion of sound that RADO has so carefully mastered. Guiding the crowd through a cosmic, dreamlike passage, the band melted into one last, triumphant peak as the song morphed back into the ending of “Anxious Eggs,” a culmination of everything that had come before it. RADO walked offstage to roaring applause, knowing they had just played the biggest show of their career—and proved they belonged. If this performance was any indication, their ascent in the jam scene is only just beginning.
