Brer Rabbit, left, and Jonny 5 of Flobots perform at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. (Photo provided by Flobots)
Denver hip-hop artist/activists — members of which founded the innovative — will help launch yet another community-minded project to help Colorado artists.
The touring pilot program, called Detour, is run by the state-funded Colorado Creative Industries, which will contribute $11,000 to get it off the ground, with an additional $20,000 to be gathered from show revenues and local area support.
“This concept will shift music-making from an emphasis on consumption to cooperative creation,” said Margaret Hunt, executive director of CCI, in a press release.
More than a dozen communities have committed to the program, including Beulah, Cortez, Denver, Durango, Fort Garland, Fort Morgan, Ignacio, Joes, Rangely, Pueblo, San Luis, Sterling, Telluride, Towaoc and Trinidad. These were selected based on variety of geographic locations, commitment of local resources and community involvement. Selection criteria will be developed for Colorado bands and communities beginning in 2016.
“Playing big festival shows is always a thrill, but there’s something truly special about the intimacy of a small venue,” said Flobots’ Jonny 5. “It’s even more special if you can find ways to meet people beforehand; to know the stories behind the faces and then watch those faces react to the show.”
Flobots will be the first band to test the beginning on Sept. 2.
