Greensky Bluegrass arrived in Denver last week for a two-night New Year’s run at the Mission Ballroom. They brought special guests and folk band Fruition along with them to help get the party going both nights and ring in 2025 in proper bluegrass fashion.
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Greensky Bluegrass Night 1: December 30, 2024
Night one of Greensky’s double nights of performances started on the frigid December 30th. The wind ravaged those waiting to get into the Mission as a red flag weather warning floated across our phones, making the 35-degree temperature seem extra cold as fans lined up for doors. The Mission Ballroom glowed in the light of the flashing billboard in the pavilion, giving the beloved venue a becoming and modern aura. Despite the wind and the cold, the fans kept coming and filled the icy air with tones of excitement and the frequent glimmers of sequins.
The night started around 8-ish pm as Fruition took the stage and warmed up the crowd with their folky tunes. The ensemble played their fan-favorite high-energy song, “Mountain Annie,” to close out their set for night one, tempting their fans to sing along. The audience showed their approval with yelps and cheers, an indication for the night that the epic hoedown to send off 2024 had only just begun.
The crowd buzzed with conversations that immediately switched to loud cheering as the lights sparked up and the band members of Greensky Bluegrass took to the stage. Greensky is classified as a rock band according to the World Wide Web, but their folk roots and string band vibes are apparent with the amount of string instruments on stage. The group of five-string pickers and friends comprises Paul Hoffman on the mandolin, Dave Bruzza on the guitar, Anders Beck on the dobro, Mike Devol on the double bass, and Michael Bont on the banjo. Paul Hoffman addressed the crowd, which was met with elated voices, and they moved right into a jiving “Murder of Crows.”
The night’s first set seemed to match the crowd’s energy as they eased into their two-night run. They brought out Mimi Naja from Fruition to play a song with them, giving the crowd a taste of what was in store for the next two nights. They closed out their first set with “Solstice” and gave the ‘ol “we’ll be right back, don’t go anywhere!” as they exited the stage.
The band started out their second set with one of their most popular songs, “Grow Together,” as the audience swayed and clutched each other. As someone who’s seen Greensky a few times, it’s always one of this writer’s favorite songs they play live because of the crowd’s reaction and outpouring of love. Seeing the smiles and hearing the hoots and hollers in reaction to fans relating to the lyrics and melody is always a beautiful sight.
They closed out their second set with the heavy-picking song, Demons, featuring solos by Paul Hoffman on the mandolin and Anders Beck on the dobro. The audience met the band with cheers as they knew the night had to be coming to a close. The band came back for two more with the encore and chose to end the night with “Born Again” and “Burn Them” to close out the night. With a final adieu, they bid farewell for the evening on New Year’s Eve-Eve and promised a return the next night.
Greensky Bluegrass Night 2: December 31, 2024
Tonight was the night to leave it all on the dance floor and everyone came ready to boogie into the New Year in style. There was no shortage of smiles and happy faces as the line formed outside the Mission around Wynkoop Street and fans waited anxiously to enter the venue. The crowd was no fool to the cold they felt last night, and in true Denver fashion, fans came out in elegance with beautiful fur coats and capes, as well as the classic puffy jacket that Coloradans are oh so well known for. Warmth was definitely key, but you couldn’t miss the sequins peeking out from underneath, waiting to explode under the disco ball on the dance floor.
Tonight was all about the outfits. Not only did the band debut their best tuxedos and bow ties but the assignment of the night was clearly understood by all. Sequins galore — yes, but also crushed velvet, full ball gowns and paisley satin suits. The crowd showed up in their best attire to ring in the new year, and the people watching was almost as good as the show.
Fruition returned to open the night again with high energy and notably played their song “Santa Fe.” The band has been playing together since what feels like the dawn of time, and their connection and energy can be felt across the room of thousands of people. They finished out their set with “The Meaning.” As one of their biggest love songs, this would become a premonition for the theme of the New Year.
The previous night, Greensky left the stage with a promise of return, and they returned with fire under their heels. They donned matching bowties and white button-up shirts and greeted the crowd with elated grins brimming with excitement. They started out the night with “Old Barns,” preparing the crowd for the set list to come. The crowd shifted every which way in excitement as the band worked their way into the Stanley Brothers cover, “How Mountain Girls Can Love,” and one of Greensky’s most popular, “Past My Prime.” The sound of cowboy boots clacking and tapping on the hard concrete floor of the Mission resonated throughout the venue as they revved up the energy for the night.
As the clock neared closer to the midnight hour and the inevitable new year, Greensky brought out Fruition to play their song “Kerosene” as the seconds ticked away. As the clock struck midnight (or a little after, but who’s counting), balloons dropped from the ceiling, and confetti catapulted into the air, raining down on smiling, shining faces. Baby New Year (AKA a grown man dressed in a diaper) joined the crew on stage to help ring in the New Year and bring good fortune to all.
The theme of the night was love, and Greensky wasted no time as they began playing their first out of five love-themed songs to set the tone for 2025. They played “Turn On Your Love Light” (Bobby Bland cover), “Whole Lotta Love” (Led Zeppelin cover), “The Power of Love” (Huey Lewis and the News cover), “Kissing My Love” (Bill Withers cover), and closed it out with a righteous “Could You Be Loved?,” a Bob Marley & the Wailers cover.
Whether you’ve seen Greensky Bluegrass once or a million times, it’s easy to get lost in their lyrics or move to their music. The way the musicians play together and poke fun at each other on stage makes it hard not to love them after your first or 50th time seeing them. They ended the night with an encore of
“Run or Die” then left everyone in a sea of confetti and balloons with shouts of “Happy New Year!” floating through the air. 2025 had officially begun in style.