Photo Credit: Scott Harris

On Saturday night, Lotus turned up for their second and final Denver benefit concert, performed in honor of the group’s late percussionist, Chuck Morris, and his son Charley. The show took place at the Fillmore Auditorium and featured the billed group of players joined by surprise guests, such as former bandmates, collaborators, and friends. 

The night kicked off with only the group’s current lineup on stage. Lotus delivered “Nematode” for their initial song, plucked from their 2003 live album, Germination. For their next number, the band welcomed former lead guitarist Mike Rempel, in addition to fellow musical guest Steve Clemens, for the night’s take on “Sid.” The aforementioned guests left the stage next, and Lotus was joined by Dominic Lalli, Neal Fro Evans and Dave Watts for the evening’s rendition of “Cold Facts.” 

The first set brought forth “Caywood” next, which featured the royal treatment courtesy of Rempel and drummer Rohan Prakash. Then, Lotus debuted a cover of LCD Soundsystem’s “Someone Great,” with Gabe Otto, Scotty Zwang and Watts–the tune arrived before “Desert Blooms,” which saw the addition of Watts and Anthony Fugate on the Bloom & Recede song. For the final song of the night’s initial frame, they covered the Talking Heads classic “Once in a Lifetime” with Otto and Fugate. 

After the set break, the group resumed their place on stage and began the second part of the night with help from Rempel and Clemens on “Mikesnack,” which segued into “It’s All Clear to Me Now.” The previously mentioned song ran over into a take on the Bee Gees’ “You Should Be Dancing,” which saw on-stage assistance provided by Otto and drummer Allen Aucion. The band rolled through “Tip of the Tongue” next, with help from Aucion, who remained on stage, in addition to Wilson, who turned up for The Strength of Weak Ties number. 

“Tip of the Tongue” melded into “Drums,” with Aucion, Watts, Fro, Rohan, Fugate, Clemens, Zwang and Padge all appearing at the front of the room and delivering rhythm and grooves that conjured the memory of the group’s late backbeat. After “Drums,” the band dropped a rendition of Midlife’s “Automatic,” which featured added help from Watts on drums and Mike Greenfield on percussions. 

“Greet The Mind” unfolded ahead of the final song of the night, “Umbilical Moonrise,” which was performed without Palmieri and Greenfield. Following the Denver tribute to the Morris family, Lotus will continue their benefit shows with a May 5 appearance at XL Live in Harrisburg, Pa., and a May 6 gig at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y. For tickets, visit the band’s official website. 

The Morris Family Benefit Concert raised funds for the nonprofit Conscious Alliance. Donate and learn more here.

Scroll down to view the setlist from Saturday’s stand in Denver. 

Lotus

Fillmore Auditorium – Denver 

April 22, 2023 

Set I: Nematode, Sid (with Mike Rempel, Steve Clemens), Cold Facts (with Dominic Lalli, Neal Fro Evans, Dave Watts), Caywood (Rempel, Rohan), Someone Great* (with Gabe Otto, Scotty Zwang, Watts), Desert Blooms (with Anthony Fugate, Watts), Once in a Lifetime (with Otto, Fugate)

Set II: Mikesnack (with Rempel, Clemens) > It’s All Clear to Me Now (with Rempel, Clemens) > You Should Be Dancing (with Allen Aucion, Otto) > Tip of the Tongue (with Wilson, Aucion) > Drums (with Aucion, Watts, Fro, Rohan, Fugate, Clemens, Zwang, Padge), Automatic (Dave Watts – Drums, Greenfield – Percussion), Greet the Mind (with Joey Porter, Rohan), Umbilical Moonrise (with Clemens – Drums, No Palmeri, No Greenfield)

Enc.: Brass Parade – Brothers of Brass