Sound Tribe Sector Nine (or STS9, as they’re affectionately known) brought the heat to their first-ever Mission Ballroom show. Midway through a five-night run of Colorado tour stops, the band let the grooves run wild. They also took full advantage of the venue’s technological superiority. With a mind-blowing lighting extravaganza and crisp, vibrant sound, this was definitely a top-tier STS9 show!
After playing a couple of intimate shows at Aspen’s Belly Up and Washington’s in Fort Collins, Friday offered more accessibility. The packed performance saw thousands of audience members getting down. The larger venue also connected a wider variety of fans. From hardcore fans to the STS9 curious to people just looking for a weekend dance party, everyone I saw was enjoying themselves.
STS9: Tough to Define, Easy to Love
For anyone who isn’t already a member of the Sound Tribe, STS9’s music can be tricky to pin down. When I explain the vibe, I say that it’s like a virtuoso jam band playing electronic music live. Friday’s show brought elements of EDM, funk, trip-hop, and more!
Saturday night’s show is a bit more reserved, if equally entrancing. Returning to Gates Opera Hall for a black-tie affair, STS9 broke out their Axe the Cables theme. Same great music, but done acoustically. Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic joined them on sax for a couple of tracks at Gates — what a treat! The epic series closed out on Sunday night with another intimate setting. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom hosted the finale, in what was sure to be an all-out party. This was the group’s first time performing at one of my favorite venues.
Summoning the Sound Tribe
Even a blustery Friday forecast wasn’t about to stop STS9 fanatics from showing out. I was in the area early to get a jump on parking and have a bite. When I headed over to a nearby establishment about an hour before the show, a line had already formed. Inside the venue, the bowl seating area filled quickly. The floor was open, including a few outer rail spots, well after doors opened.
I selected an upper seat with a rail, which is my personal fave for most Mission shows. It was a good choice, as the visuals and lasers were best appreciated from a panoramic view. I heard and read numerous well-deserved shout-outs to the lights and production crew. With impeccable timing, vibrant colors, and mind-bending visuals, it was hard not to be mesmerized. The sensory experience of an STS9 show transcends space and time, and allows the audience to escape reality temporarily. Let’s face it: that’s been a necessity of late for most of us.
I’ve had the pleasure of catching STS9 several times, including Red Rocks, The Paramount, Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium, and in a festival setting. Every time has been fantastic, but the Mission show felt special. I’m not the only one with those feelings: Several posts I read from fans proclaimed this was the best they’d seen. If you didn’t catch STS9 on this run — or if you’re not already a fan — I highly recommend checking them out!
Photos by Jake Duesterhoft
