DEADROCKS XI, what is this enchanted event that happens annually in Denver? Now in its eleventh year, it’s just one piece of the larger Deadbeats Jamboree week. Jamboree week in Denver offers an overwhelmingly breathtaking experience. With over 5 Zeds Dead sets in only three days, no mortal man is prepared for such an incredible showcase in such a brief period of time.
Kicking things off properly is Zeds Dead’s first of two sets at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Located just outside Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheater is a colossal-style venue, a large natural amphitheater wedged between two humongous sandstone rocks. Jetting outward towards the sky from the bottom of the stage, it looks like the mouth of hell is swallowing you. The reddish hue of the rock surrounds you on either side. The stars had aligned, and it was finally time to make my pilgrimage.
The Trek
Climbing the steep driveway into the theater was a challenge in itself. I parked at the bottom of the hill, faced my car outwards, and started my trek. Once I reached the gates and produced my ticket, it was time to step into the big leagues. Coming in from the bottom, I walked onto the steps, almost like stepping into the coliseum for the first time, facing my opponent. Coming in the lower deck around row 15, I asked the aisle attendant where to go.
“Is it just you?” She asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I’m by myself,” I replied.
She seemed almost perplexed that I was traveling alone.
“Oh, you’ll be fine if it’s just you. Just find you a seat.” She said, pointing upward into the crowd.
The enormous crowd made my stomach feel a bit uneasy as I began climbing the stairs to find a seat. I went up a few rows and soon spotted a young Hispanic man wearing dark glasses sitting on the edge of the aisle with an empty space next to him.
“ Is anyone sitting next to you?” I stopped and pointed to the space next to him.
“Nah man,” He replied.
“ Can I sit there?” I inquired.
“Sure… It’s all you,” He said nonchalantly.
“Sweet!”
The UK vibes were strong
I gently placed my backpack down and struck up a friendly chat to get to know my young conquistador. He came across as a genuinely kind young man, and since we were both attending our first Dead Rocks event, it made for an instant connection. Zero had just begun playing a few minutes earlier and was setting the perfect mood for the crowd. Night One of Dead Rocks XI was vibrant with UK garage vibes. Zero radiated energy, he was a little sunburnt, and was truly a joy to watch.
Taiki Nulight
The sun was blazing down on us in this rocky coliseum, with temperatures in the lower 90s. I started the day wearing just a muscle shirt, but I made sure to pack an extra T-shirt in my backpack for when it got darker. Next on stage was Taiki Nulight. Staying true to the UK vibe, Taiki’s set was dark and introspective, contrasting with Zero’s energetic youthfulness. Taiki’s performance was smooth and precise, creating an ominous journey through your mind’s corridors. I wasn’t ready for his gritty low-end grinders that kept us grooving into the evening.
Rudim3ntal
Then arrived the UK group Rudimental. Charismatic and stylish, their performance was exactly what I needed to boost my mood. I was a bit disappointed my wife wasn’t with me, but Rudimental’s playlist quickly lifted my spirits. I enjoy drum and bass, but theirs was different—polished, not overly fast, light, and airy, smoothly guiding us with flawless precision. Locksmith’s cheerful smile and uplifting energy set the stage for the monstrosity that was about to unfold.
As the sun began to set and Rudimental finished their final tune, it was almost time it was almost time for the boys to take the stage. Giving a 15-minute buffer, I quickly ran to the restroom one last time so I could remain in my seat for the entire two hours. As I returned, the crew had begun setting up the old-school box TVs that decorated the front of the turntables. A Zeds Dead Red Rocks set is a special moment in time that every avid fan should make the pilgrimage to at least once in their life. A two-hour journey through sound, there is nothing like a Dead Rocks set, no matter how many times you’ve seen the boys in person.
Deadrocks XI
Dubbed Dead Rocks, a nod to the Red Rocks venue and the group’s stage name, it truly lives up to its name. I sampled previous Dead Rocks performances in an attempt to prepare myself mentally for what was coming, but nothing compares to the real experience. At 9:30pm MT, the lights dimmed sharply, and their recent album’s title track, “Light,” started playing on the large LED screens behind them. Two sharply dressed men in black suits walked briskly onto the stage.
Screaming into the microphone amid flickering images from the NeverEnding Story, the show was in full swing. I put on my shades and held on as the track blared. The first drop into “Light” felt like a cosmic sidewinder, blasting through hyperspace. Lasers sliced through the sky, shooting upward from the stage’s base to the top of the rocks. So, this was a Deadrocks set, I thought, with a triumphant smile. I’d been trying to see Zeds Dead all year, missing three times in my hometown. But finally, I made it—the ultimate of the peaks…
Theres nothing like a Deadrocks intro…
“Hi my name? Who? My name is… Chika Chika Zeds Dead,” Eminem’s iconic voice echoed through the air. The crowd erupted with excitement. The scene transitioned into a Deadrocks exclusive remix of Eminem, showing graphics of Slim Shady alongside Zeds Dead heads across the screen. It turned out to be more impressive than I had expected. My friend Lance had warned me I was in for a real treat, but I didn’t realize just how right he was.
A Zeds Dead set is a well-crafted masterpiece, precise and thoughtful, yet rough and rugged at the same time. It’s delicate and delightful, yet gangster and totally hood. It’s timeless, a classic that your mom and dad would appreciate, yet gritty and garage-y, igniting all the rude boys with energy. At times, it can be dark and desolate, reaching the very depths within the innermost crevices of your mind, then suddenly it becomes soft and uplifting, making you want to hold your lover tight and dance into the night sky.
A journey of a lifetime
Over the years, watching Zeds Dead perform has taught me that their sets are an unmistakable journey. These two young men pour so much into their craft; it’s astonishing how flawless it appears. They can evoke deep emotions and then launch you into a different world in an instant. A Red Rocks performance feels like experiencing a cosmic shift at its peak.
Breaking down this two-hour expedition is almost impossible, even though the memory is forever imprinted in my mind. My fingers hesitate at the keyboard. I recall taking out my phone to record some clips for remembrance and felt almost disrespectful to tamper with something so elegant. The same sentiment applies to this kind of writing; I wonder if I can do justice to the boys with my keystrokes.
Whatcu know about that, I know all about that!
Notable RISH album cuts from night one included (Light, Hold My Hand, One Of These Mornings [extended version], Angel, Heartbeat, Fall Away, and Vertigo). Of course, they still had night two to think about, so they couldn’t play the entire album on day one. Some of my personal favorite incorporations were (Manu Chaos’ Bongo Bong, 25 Lighters by Fat Pat, Insane in the Membrane by Cypress Hill, Warren G’s Regulators, The Fugees’ Ready Or Not). The list could go on and on.
As I mentioned earlier, fitting all that amazing allure into just a few paragraphs is truly impossible. That drop during Break The Chains always takes me off guard in the best possible way. The way The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” blended with the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” totally blew my mind—I never saw that coming! And then there’s the wild, glitchy version of T.I.’s “Whatcu Know About That.” But honestly, the real highlight has to be their closing piece… Oh, I absolutely love how they end things!
Gotta love a good ender
Debuting at last year’s Deadrocks, closing out Day Two, I believe, was The Willy Wonka “Pure Imagination” song combined with John Lennon’s “Imagine.” I remember at the Fort Worth Jamboree last year when they played it… I couldn’t grasp what I had just seen. Sitting on the lawn with my wife and saying, “What do we do now…” She just smiled and shrugged, and we sat there for a few more minutes processing what just happened.
This year at Deadrocks XI, the atmosphere was just as memorable. Images of Gene Wilder and John Lennon performing “Imagine” appeared on the screen, marking their heartfelt farewell. With a warm thank you to the audience, the lights faded softly, and darkness enveloped the stage. I gently shook the young man’s hand next to me, wished him a good night, and hurried down the hill toward my car. I was eager for a quick escape and an early rest, as we had The Club Studio Time Deadbeats pop-up waiting for us tomorrow.
