The Motet performs the first of two shows at The Ogden Theatre on Nov. 13, 2015. Photos by Adam Good, heyreverb.com.
When took the stage last night at The Ogden, the 1977-attired crowd was ready for nothing less than a party. And a party is what they got. The band took the stage with a tireless energy that electrified the venue.
The Denver-based band doesn’t play music; they create it. The funky feel of their songs demands that the crowd pay attention, and creates a space where each individual band member can show off their musical chops. Founder Dave Watts understands that fans flock to Motet shows to be interactively entertained and thatap precisely what they did.
Last nightap show was defined by two very distinct sets. The first was chalked full of fan favorites such as “Jam Around The Corner,” “Dance Music Sex Romance,” Fight The Power,” “123” and “Power.” The tenor sax and trumpet solos by band members Gabe Mervin and Matt Pitts absolutely stole the show. And just when the fans thought the party couldn’t get any more vibrant, Ingber announced a special guest – Dominic Lalli from Big Gigantic took the stage to rock out on his tenor sax.
The band didn’t miss a beat transitioning from their hits to a new song “Cretan.” Ingber announced that the band is currently working on a new album and thanked fans for their overwhelming support and love of the new jam.
The last song of the 2015 set was introduced by Ingber as not their tune, but what the band is all about. He expressed that he wanted to “lift the vibration up in this room,” and lift it they did when they rolled into the funky, “Shake Your Booty.”
After a brief break, Motet retook the stage for the second set completely changed into disco-friendly attire. It was afros, tight pants, and ginormous sunglasses. This was a whole new show. The transition into disco is never an easy one, but The Motetap flawless showmanship eased fans back into 1977 with grace and energy. The band began with “Brother Man” and “Flashlight;” the horn-heavy choices elevated the often cheesy feel of disco. (No small task.)
The 1977 songs had depth and range. The band moved quickly from disco and lyric-heavy favorites “Funkify Your Life,” Disco Inferno,” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way” into more instrument focused jams “Fly Like An Eagle” and “Funk Factory.” Itap not easy to infuse so much energy into one show, but The Motet are masters of their craft. The constant interaction with the crowd and the non-stop on-stage dance party made it impossible to just stand back and take it in. Fans had to keep up and were forced–happily–into participation.
The Motet wrapped up the show with two encore performances. First up was “Moving Out” by Billy Joel, which felt like it might have been played by Joel himself. Then, “Ffun” wrapped up the evening. Ingber announced that the band had grabbed a spot at Red Rocks on July 22nd and that he wanted to “end this thing in style” and with undying energy and class thatap exactly what The Motet did. Fans left exhausted, excited, and enlightened. Thatap true funk, man.
2015 Set List:
