Elephant Revival brought their "A Game" of inspiring musical evolution to the packed Mission Ballroom in Denver, Colorado last night. The genuine diversity among the band members provided a staggering display of some of the coolest musical ideas on earth. The band has always self-expressed their musical style as "Transcendental Folk Music," meaning their music transcends many styles, tempos, and cultures. The traditional musical values of the band’s early beginnings were very much intact. They incorporated Scottish/Celtic fiddle tunes, indie rock, original folk pieces, bluegrass, and Americana throughout their set.
The band was also incorporating an art/rock vibe into their musical expansiveness. This style of music had a stronger rocking song structure that felt more complex and theatrical. Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Bonnie Paine has been bringing many of these new percussive-driven arrangements into the band's diverse repertoire, and the fans were loving them as much as the band was enjoying playing them. The sound and lights were fantastic and mesmerizing; the stage was beautifully laid out with everyone very visible to the audience, and Bonnie and Bridget looked absolutely stunning in their performance gowns.
The audience was highly vocal in their adoration for the band as they took the stage. With all the band members either from Colorado or having strong ties to Colorado, the show definitely had a hometown feel and energy. Grateful Web traversed the arena, talking with fans before the show, asking questions about their connection to the band. The general consensus was this band offers much more than a concert; they offer a live music experience that takes you on a journey of adventure and imagination. The music has worldwide appeal with many musical cultures represented, and it’s delivered with style and infectious energy.
Elephant Revival’s uniqueness comes from sincere ambition and musical influences that span the globe, and the desire to create a moving, meaningful experience for everyone in the room. The people responsible for this mind-moving presentation are Bonnie Paine on vocals, cello, djembe, washboard, and musical saw; Bridget Law on vocals and fiddle; Dango Rose on vocals, upright bass, and mandolin; Charlie Rose on vocals, banjo, pedal steel, and mandolin; Darren Garvey on vocals, drums, and percussion; and Daniel Sproul on vocals and guitar.
All of this talent and wealth of creativity, accompanied by a fired-up Friday night Colorado crowd, set the scene for a magical night of entertainment. The band appeared on stage to a warm and loud Colorado welcome. Their smiles lit up the room before they played a single note. Covering new material and songs from different eras of the band's career, there was a cool mix of powerful tempos and flowing arrangements. There were plenty of fan favorites played; the audience sang along with strong enthusiasm and loud voices. About a half hour into the show, the band grew to an eleven-piece band with the addition of a five-piece drum-line for select numbers. Leah and Chloe from Rising Appalachia also lent their voices to Elephant’s set. The band's sound was powerful and elegantly presented with class and style.
There was so much richness, soulful expression, and vulnerability from Bonnie Paine’s voice. It felt she was living inside the words coming out of her body. Her conviction was soul-scorching as she opened her heart to everyone in front of her. I swear her connection to her words was a full-body and mind musical awakening. Bridget Law’s voice, equally mesmerizing and full of luxurious texture, filled the room with emotional warmth and class. Her poignant, expressive fiddle playing cut through the room with power and elegance, leaving jaws on the floor along the way. Garvey was all class and power on percussion and drums. He never overplays anything and knows exactly when to hit hard and when to caress his instrument into subtle nuances of beauty.
Daniel Sproul on electric guitar has a hard-rocking background, and he knew exactly when to bring it out in last night’s performance. He brought power and poise to the musical situation. Dango Rose held down the low-end on bass perfectly and powerfully, in perfect timing and tune with Garvey behind him on drums and percussion. Charlie Rose picked the banjo, strummed the mandolin, and slid the steel over the strings on pedal steel, creating all kinds of chunky rhythms and cascading moods to enhance the fullness of the arrangements.
Grateful Web had a chance to chat with founding member of the band, Bridget Law, and here is what she had to say...
GW: In August of 2022, we spoke just before the first Elephant Revival show after a four-year hiatus from performing live. You mentioned this first show is very sacred and a very special occasion and that the band was taking it nice and easy, and "we hope that everything feels good and we can move on to more shows in the near future." Over the last three years, the band has played several shows, and you have several more on your schedule. Is it safe to say things are feeling good and the band is firing on all cylinders?
BL: Yes, absolutely! The music is so much fun to play and share, and getting to do so in our community has been very nourishing.
GW: Since the band's inception in 2006, the music has always transcended many genres and tempos; now in 2025, has the band transcended even more from its original format of folk, indie, bluegrass, and Scottish/Celtic styles?
BL: With the addition of Darren Garvey on drums in 2016, and now the addition of Daniel Sproul on electric guitar in 2023, we definitely are showing our rockin' side more! It's been very fun to be able to play with both ends of the spectrum dynamically. We have also been bringing more of Bonnie's originals forward that have a bit more of an art rock vibe. That being said, we play many of the old hits in the folky styles as well as newer tender numbers as well. We like to keep it diverse!
GW: Will the band be presenting any new material on the upcoming run of shows? And if so, is there any material being recorded for a new release?
BL: Yes, we have a few new songs on the set list for the Mission and this summer! And we will be in the studio in June to start crafting these in a deliverable way. Bonnie also just released a song with Rising Appalachia on their album "Drenched," which is a fundraising album to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. That song is called "Falls Rain" and is only available on BandCamp.com.
GW: Also in 2022, you mentioned that the longevity of the band relied heavily on not getting hung up on past patterns. How has the band been navigating staying away from past patterns and evolving together as a cohesive unit?
BL: It's happening! Witnessing the evolutionary process in a small group of people over the last two decades has been an adventure. But we are healthier now than ever. The goal is to grow!
GW: What motivates and/or inspires Elephant Revival to keep the musical spirit thriving and moving forward in a positive direction?
BL: The music is the best part, always. The music is the medicine. It's magic.
GW: Elephant Revival fan question. Grateful Web talked with Laura Oswald from Fort Collins, Colorado, and this is her question for Bridget: You have traveled and performed in many places; has any location or culture influenced your musical style in unexpected ways?
BL: Scotland and the Gaelic culture has been a thread of inspiration since I was there over 20 years ago. It continues to sparkle my spirit and showcase the influence when I can. I love the passion, danceability, and ingenuity in the musical styles of Scotland. Lately, I have also been loving Flamenco and am planning to visit Seville, Spain next year!
GW: Thank you, Bridget, for being so generous with your time.
Rising Appalachia opened the evening of music with high spirits, positive vibes, and mile high smiles. One of the many attributes Rising Appalachia brings to the musical table is their ability to explore their music within their music as it happens. They have this cool way of reinventing songs you have heard many times before, that have mobility to travel outside the original song structure lines. They are constantly evolving and exploring the many musical cultures they love and perform. Playing material from several eras of the band's career garnered many happy faces and voices from an audience mesmerized by the power and spirit of their energy. The band is Leah Song on vocals, banjo, and percussion; Chloe Smith on vocals, fiddle, guitar, and banjo; Biko Casini on percussion; Duncan Wickel on fiddle and vocals; and David Brown on upright bass, banjo, and guitar.
The band's devoted fans sang and danced to eclectic, moody grooves that took their souls on a euphoric journey. Leah and Chloe’s voices projected soothing, powerful messages around the arena. I am sure the crystal-clear delivery of their musical message is stuck to the walls of the hall for eternity. The set projected peace, love, and understanding through the power of song. The band's message was uplifting and beautiful.
