Slade Rand
Aug. 23, 2023
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats blended American gospel, Motown soul and Rocky Mountain rock-and-roll Tuesday night at Red Rocks in a hometown celebration worthy of the band’s decade on the road.
Rateliff stormed the stage at 9 p.m. backed by a seven-piece band that does it all — the horn section picked up backup vocals and percussion at times while guitarist Luke Mossman cycled through pedal steel, acoustic and electric varieties during the 25-song affair.
Donning sunflower-golden boots and a matching guitar bearing the marks of years on the road, Rateliff strutted the stage as he welcomed a devoted congregation back to Red Rocks.
It’s easy to forget the man onstage is an old-school rock-and-roller as opposed to a preacher during his annual stint at the legendary venue.
Local fan Lori Kadin said she’s seen him three or four times between the Rocks. A self-described “old-school Deadhead” she said she knew Rateliff was something special the first time she caught his touring band.
“He just puts his soul into the music,” she said, excitedly waiting for the band to hit the stage as the Rolling Stones’ “She’s a Rainbow” readied the crowd over the P.A.
Kadin and her two “concert buddies” sported matching Night Sweats tie-dyes and bounced along belting lyrics most of the show. They were comfortably in the majority of die-hards in attendance Tuesday night.
Rateliff nodded to his history with local fans and the iconic venue when introducing bassist Joseph Pope III four songs into the set.
“Joseph and I have played, maybe 29 shows here now?,” Rateliff asked his longtime band member before dropping into a dancehall version of 2021’s “I’m on Your Side.” Rateliff delivered this one without a guitar, choosing to move closer to the audience (which included his mother Tuesday night) for the uplifting tune.
Happy couples and event staff alike spun each other ‘round and embraced through this number, a display of joy that continued all night under a clear starlit sky.
In front of a two-story screen that allowed the rocks to peek through, Rateliff masterfully led the band through old tunes and new, often framed by a black-and-white video effect and appropriate lighting. The band played entirely original music through the nearly two-hour show.
“I just feel so grateful,” Rateliff said to the crowd. “You changed my life greatly and we wouldn’t be here without you. It’s been a blessing.”
Rateliff sat down at a set of keys next to keyboardist Mark Shusterman half-an-hour into the set for a soulful version of “A Little Honey,” off of 2018’s “Tearing at the Seams.” Though it looked like Rateliff might be taking a backseat when he approached the bench, his continued proud vocals and adept playing proved there would be no break for the front man.
A memorable peak came early in the night, when the band quieted after closing “Love Me ‘Til I’m Gone” off its 2021 release “The Future.” Rateliff spoke directly to the horde of devoted fans introducing the next song as “one we didn’t play for a few years.”
Within the first few bars, fans twenty rows up happily shouted the title “Shake” to their friends.
The song off the Night Sweats’ self-titled 2015 debut crawled along creating a trance beneath Rateliff and Shusterman’s harmonizing vocals, until the chorus brought white lights and a singalong for the fans who’d been awaiting “Shake’s” return to the stage. The ode to late ‘60s psychedelia maintained the Night Sweats’ unique full sound, though paired with polychromatic imagery onscreen the tune brought a new feel to the set.
“Shake” bled into cacophony that built energy and pace, and out emerged the crowd-favorite “S.O.B.” Pairs of outstretched hands flew upward among smiles in the crowd, and the dance party was underway.
The night’s special guest came sprinting from stage right during an S.O.B. breakdown that sent the energy even further sky-high. Out came Rocky the Mountain Lion, mascot for your 2023 NBA Champion Denver Nuggets, with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in hand.
Rateliff, a longtime Coloradan, had been waiting for a Nuggets championship as long as anybody, and was clearly ecstatic to have a chance to celebrate with fans. Rateliff and Rocky whirled around together with the trophy, sliding across the stage and beckoning the lively crowd to “Buy me a drink!”
Night Sweats fans and band members certainly had lots to celebrate together during the masterful night of music on Tuesday.
The band’s first of a pair of summer 2023 Red Rocks shows went down with gusto and reverence for the setting. Before entering the final frame of the night however, Rateliff left fans with a tease of more joy to come this year.
“We’ve been working on some new ones, and hopefully we’ll have some new music in the spring,” Rateliff said.
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats return to Colorado on Dec. 15 at Ball Arena for the band’s 19th Annual Holiday Show. Tickets are available through AXS.
After Midnight 
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