Day Three at The UMS: Are You Ready to Rip, Denver?

By: Sierra Voss

Alright UMSers. Saturday started off for me with a, “holy wow, is-it-really-this-epically-hot-outside?” kinda vibe.

I’m not scared. I will say it. I woke up Saturday morning exhausted from a 10+ hour day of awesome music the night before. I found myself really starting to wonder if I was going to be able to crush another non-stop day of tunes. Amidst my doubts, I quickly remembered that UMS was created by champions for champions. So I prepped up and started chugging water, coffee, and mimosas. The time was soon upon me. The first band I wanted to see was taking the stage only blocks away from where I pleasantly laid on my friend’s cozy couch. It was time to crush again.

Residual Kid. 

Residual Kid. 

The day was ripping away as I popped in and out of venues strewn along S. Broadway street. Each hosted different genres of music, from soulful singer-songwriters to thrashing heavy metal bands. It was all right there for me, beckoning, as I created my epic Saturday journey through The UMS land. But no matter where I was as the day continued, I found myself longing to return to the Hi-Dive.  

SPELLS at the Hi-Dive.

SPELLS at the Hi-Dive.

The Hi-Dive is truly the beating heart at the core of The UMS. You think about her when you leave. You wonder what’s happening in her life when you’re not around. You make sacrifices in order to see her. You wait in line with other people who love her equally as much, just for a chance to hang out with her for a couple of hours. But at the end of the day, it’s all worth it, because once you’re in there, it feels so good. You stop worrying about all the other venues and you're there, you’re with her, in that pulsing core of it all.

Dirty Few at HD.

Dirty Few at HD.

Time truly warps while you’re in the Hi-Dive. Hours become minutes as you thrash around, dancing to show after show after show actually after show, stopping only for bathroom, drink, and picture breaks. The lineup last night at the Hi-Dive was fierce: Dudebabes, SPELLS, Dirty Few, Ned Garthe Explosion, and Bud Bronson & The Good Timers.

The aftermath of Ned Garthe Explosion.

The aftermath of Ned Garthe Explosion.

My favorite set of the night was Ned Garthe Explosion. They no doubt know how to party. In fact, they started off their set counting down as Garthe himself held up a disco ball and let it drop while the audience cheered, “3-2-1!” The band tossed out glow sticks and champagne bottles as confetti, and their homemade fog machine filled the air. Within what seemed like seconds, people were spraying champagne throughout the crowd. And by the second song, people had cut open their glow sticks in order to create what I like to call a galaxy party, as neon goo speckled the venue walls, and our bodies.

Life in the depths of the Hi-Dive.

Life in the depths of the Hi-Dive.

Hot damn that Hi-Dive! She takes you in. She fills you up, and then she spits you out exhausted to the bone, but with a smile on your face, and crazy-fun reeling in your head for days to come.  

Day three was an epic one for The UMS books. Who’s ready for round four? Sunday-funday here we come...

BONUS: Yesterday’s stops summed up in one sentence:

Marshall Poole: The band that is perfect for when you just wanna hang, but also wanna rock.

Shilo Gold: A soulful performance set at the perfect venue under South Broadway Church’s towering organ and stained glass windows.

South of France.

South of France.

South of France: Dreamy surf rock vibes.

Residual Kid: These guys know how to rip 90s style, even though they were born in the 2000s.

Thee Oh Sees.

Thee Oh Sees.

Thee Oh Sees: Awesomely unique sound, repped by a crazy frontman who likes to lick his guitar and suck on his pick.

Dudebabes: Girl dressed as guy and guys dressed as girls with turkey legs, lemonade, and more.

SPELLS: Loves nothing more than to mosh with the audience.

Dirty Few: The lead singer jumped in the air and did the splits at the end of their third song of the set.

Ned Garthe Explosion: Champagne galaxy. See above.

BBGT Jorts.

BBGT Jorts.

Bud Bronson & The Good Timers: American rock rippers that you can count on to bring it home and seal in the epic vibes of a truly rockin’ night at the Hi-Dive. Also, they look damn good in jorts.

-Sierra

All photos per the author. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.