Heavy psychedelic trio King Buffalo from Rochester, New York emerged onto the music scene in 2016, with the release of their debut album, Orion. Through steady touring, and with six studio full lengths under their belts, the band, Sean McVay (vocals/guitar), Dan Reynolds (bass), and Scott Donaldson (drums), has gained a dedicated fanbase, and earned a reputation for delivering mesmerizing, unforgettable live performances. The trio kicked off a two-night Colorado stand at The Black Sheep in Colorado Springs last Friday night. This was a high energy crowd, anxious for King Buffalo’s return to Colorado, and their first appearance in Colorado Springs.
The band set the tone right from the jump with the short but intense “Silverfish” from 2021 LP The Burden of Restlessness. With visuals from Mothpowder Light Show dancing over the crowd and enveloping the band, King Buffalo worked their way through twelve songs, spanning most of their discography. The entire show, per usual, was one big highlight, but there certainly were some standouts along the way.
The meaty middle of this set featured everything from one of the band’s more intense songs “Grifter”, to the airy “Mammoth”, the dark groove of “Shadows”, heady new single “Balrog” (see video below), and longtime setlist staple “Longing to Be the Mountain.” To close the set out, the band returned to The Burden of Restlessness wiht heavy hitter “The Knocks”, followed by a stunning take on Regenerator closing track “Firmament.” Swelling from delicate and etherial through multiple layers of irresistible, head banging groove, “Firmament” is a prime example, maybe the defining proof that King Buffalo are the masters of the slow build. And in this case, an absolutely perfect set closer.
Following a raucous response from the crowd, the band returned to the stage for a spirited take on Orion favorite “Drinking from the River Rising” (video below), closing out yet another masterclass in immersive rock music, cementing their status (again!) as one of my very favorite bands, and no doubt gaining a bunch of new Colorado fans.
King Buffalo, Dec 06, 2024, The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs, CO Setlist
Silverfish, Hours, Mercury, Grifter, Shadows, Mammoth, Balrog, Longing to Be the Mountain, Goliath Pt. 2, The Knocks, Firmament, Drinking from the River Rising
The Spread
- Regenerator (2022): 4
- The Burden of Restlessness (2021): 3
- Orion (2016): 2
- Acheron (2021): 1
- Longing to Be the Mountain (2018): 1
- Single, not on an album (yet!) (“Balrog”): 1
Watch “Balrog” by King Buffalo, recorded live Dec 06, 2024 at The Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, CO
Watch “Firmament” by King Buffalo, recorded live Dec 06, 2024 at The Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, CO
Watch “Drinking From the River Rising” by King Buffalo, recorded live Dec 06, 2024 at The Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, CO
Visuals and videos by Motherpowder Light Show.
Photos by Mitch Kline.
Visit kingbuffalo.com for upcoming King Buffalo tour dates, merch, and news.