Violent Femmes at Levitt Denver

The Violent Femmes are an iconic American indie rock band known for their distinctive blend of folk, rock and punk. Formed in Milwaukee in 1980, the band’s lineup consists of Gordon Gano (vocals, guitar), Brian Ritchie (bass guitar), joined by multi-instrumentalist Blaise Garza, and drummer John Sparrow. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1983, remains one of their most influential works, featuring hits like “Blister in the Sun” and “Add It Up.” Violent Femmes played that album in its entirety at Levitt Denver recently – and the show was one of my favorites of the year.

I included the setlist below, because while it seems obvious what they played, they added a bunch of gems after they finished the first album. Gano came out in signature bathrobe style and all band members seems to be having a great time. I was back on the lawn by the time John Sparrow was playing on his BBQ grill, but I was in my own personal bliss hanging with a field of Gen X peers reliving our teen years screaming out, ONE, ONE, ONE, CAUSE YOU LEFT ME!

Violent Femmes are continuing the celebration into November, including some 80s festival slots, so hopefully you catch them too if you were not with us in Denver.

Violent Femmes – Denver Concert Photos

Photos displayed in random order. Click any thumbnail for a larger version. Then use the navigation arrows (or your keyboard arrow keys) to move left and right through the photographs.

Violent Femmes Concert Setlist
Levitt Pavilion, May 21, 2023

Blister in the Sun
Kiss Off
Please Do Not Go
Add It Up
Confessions
Prove My Love
Promise
To the Kill
Gone Daddy Gone
Good Feeling
Gotta Get to Peekskill
Jesus Walking on the Water
I Could Be Anything
Dance, Motherfucker, Dance
Old Mother Reagan
Freak Magnet
More Money Tonight
I’m Nothing
Memory
Color Me Once
I Held Her in My Arms
Gimme the Car

Encore:
I’m Not Gonna Cry
American Music

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