CHECK YOUR PULSE

with Kiltro

Sound, stage presence, and style – words can’t even begin to describe the captivation Khruangbin holds over its audience. In celebration of 10 years since the release of the well loved album The Universe Smiles Upon You, the band played the Boulder Theater last night. From their last Colorado set at Red Rocks, to a 1,000 cap venue, tickets were sold at a lottery for this small-venue tour. A small crowd piling into the Boulder Theater only heightened the experience that is Khruangbin.

The band featured the powerful trio Laura Lee Ochoa on bass and vocals, Mark Speer on guitar and vocals, and Donald “DJ” Johnson on drums. Speer also introduced the incredibly talented “new guy” who accompanied the band, multi-instrumentalist Will Van Horn playing pedal steel, guitar, and keys (though he has been working with the band since their inception). Be sure to check out his solo pedal steel recordings, as his addition to the lineup added another dimension to the group’s sound and completely brought the set to a new level. 

While they played songs from The Universe Smiles Upon You, the band took fresh spins on each of the classics. With new grooves and styles for a handful of tunes on the setlist, the entire room was bouncing throughout the night. Between “the man who always knows what time it is”, Johnson, and the dynamics of Lee Ochoa, Speer, and Van Horn, there is simply one word to describe last night’s set – magic.

Khruangbin

Kiltro

Denver based & Chilean inspired, ambient band Kiltro started the night off strong. The group consists of Chris Bowers Castillo on vocals, guitar, and keys, Will Parkhill on bass, and Michael Devincenzi and Fez García on drums and percussion. With live looping, Kiltro blends neo-psychedelia with South American folk, creating an unforgettable sound.

words by @rileyyxrose & images by @artbyryyy