Milky Chance illuminates Denver with a bittersweet Farewell to their long awaited ‘Mind The Moon’ tour

Written By | Alaura Marie

Sunday night in Denver couldn’t have been warmer, after our long awaited return to the music world. Given that the last two years have been nothing short of an antique wooden rollercoaster for most of us around the world, we can only take comfort in knowing this devastating fight is one we’re all facing together. 

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but this forced vacation from live music has given us more than just simple appreciation. Lining up in the chilly December air on Sunday night, outside of Mission Ballroom, felt like a homecoming of sorts. Fans huddled together, excitedly anticipating the bright night ahead. The low buzz of conversation and connections going on in the crowd was a comforting and familiar glow of gathering with fellow fans to enjoy a musical experience tailed just for us. 

The staff at Mission Ballroom was an entire delight, from the greeter asking for IDs, the bartender mixing up our favorite refreshments, and even the security team keeping everything running smoothly. A favored difference from shows prior to COVID, was the contagious energy of gratitude felt by everyone in attendance that night, recognizing how truly blessed we are to have music and community. 

This bittersweet night, the final show of Milky Chance’s ‘Mind The Moon’ tour, was truly an electric experience. 

 

Opening the night was Giant Rooks, excited to be touring in North America for their first time. From the very first chord, they had the crowd falling for them fast. 

See more photos of Giants Rooks HERE

Singer and guitarist, Fred Rabe, ignited the night with his bright hot energy. His awakening the audience and inviting us to come alive with him was a sight to behold, and an invitation none could refuse. 

Also on guitar was Finn Schwieters, and keeping us grounded on bass, Luca Göttner. The three at the front of the stage kept the energy alive, dancing and moving together with the crowd; while just behind them, Jonathan Wischniowsi on piano, and Finn Thomas on drums, completed the vibe perfectly. 

See more photos of Giants Rooks HERE

This five member ensemble is an exciting new sound from Berlin, Germany, and I expect we’ll be watching them grow up over the next few years and blossom just as we did with with our favorite German Group, Milky Chance, (pun intended). 

Watching this group of friends pour out their love and music, and having the time of their lives together on stage, was a sight I’d missed even more than I knew. 

When Fred announced their last song, I felt my heart ping a little with everyone else’s in the room that it was over too soon. Keep an eye out for Giant Rooks, and if you haven’t heard them yet, do your ears the favor. 

With the first set giving us such joyous energy, it didn’t feel like long that we waited for the headliner. But watching their dark silhouettes walk onstage, the entire room came alive instantly. 

Milky Chance is truly an experience unlike any other, and the quartet effortlessly creates a show of passion, excitement, and romance unique to each and every night they play. 

Clemens Rehbein and Philip Dausch are the original duo that we fell in love with back in 2014, their first time in North America from Berlin, Germany. 

The two have grown and evolved so much as musicians and as a musical act, inviting in Antonio Greger and featuring Sebastian Schmidt on tour. As Clemens was introducing the members, he turned and said “That’s Antonio, he’s playing… pretty much everything” and that ‘pretty much’ rings true for all three of them. 

Their instrumental diversity is one reason they so easily won our hearts, and it was one of the highlighting themes of their performance this past Sunday. 

The stage was set with multiple keyboards, a switch board beneath every mic, and Clemens, Philip, and Antonio constantly swapped out their guitars & other instruments for the most perfect sound. But perhaps some of the most mesmerizing pieces of any Milky Chance performance, including this one, are Antonio’s tantalizing harmonica solos.

See more photos of Milky Chance HERE

There was no shortage of awe in the room while these four musical geniuses sweetly serenaded us. The energy they create together is truly that of a gang of friends, enjoying their vibes and the vibes they create. Each individual artist takes their turn, several times throughout the show, to have their best time, playing out an impromptu-solo that you can feel is led in the moment, by the heart. 

They move around the stage poetically together, playing off and encouraging one another, and it leaves you feeling, genuinely, over-the-moon. 

Clemens paused for a heartfelt speech midway into their act, feeling & inspiring the vibe of bliss to be back together with fans and family alike. Obvious from the group’s multiple references to the state, Clemens playfully appreciated their connection with Colorado, making note of how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful place, one of his favorite’s in the world as he told us.

Beyond his cheerful insights, one of the great things about Milky Chance’s live shows is hands down Clemens’ hilarious banter, but I won’t spoil any of that for you, instead, I insist you experience it firsthand, the very next opportunity you have. 

Hitting every popular song that they could, taking us back through their beautiful discography, and boisterously enjoying every moment of it, Milky Chance concluded their first tour back leaving fans hungry for more.

Even after the lights had come back up, and crew had begun filling the stage to tear down the set, the room was still alive with the buzzing, bright energy that Giant Rooks and Milky Chance created for us.

Leaving the venue that night with arms full of merch, a heart full of music, and a camera full of captivating & alive images, I was glowing over what an honor it was to attend the final show of Milky Chance’s ‘Mind the Moon’ tour, their first tour back, and concluding in one of their favorite places. 

We’ve survived another year; and cheers to 2022, may it be full to the brim with music, connection, and inspiration for all. 

 

Photo Credit | Alaura Marie