The world of live music is one of constant flux. Each song is a statement to the world and then others respond, the result is a rich tapestry of performance and song. Folk music begets rock and dubstep begets Americana and so on and so forth. It’s a call and a response. However this time the call is bluegrass and the response is just more bluegrass. There are so many young and incredibly talented pickers on the scene today it’s almost impossible to keep up.

There’s a phenomenon brewing in the foothills of the Rockies and it’s called Magoo. Not only are the guys incredible musicians unconstrained and free to blast off in any direction, but they are resonating with fans in a way that is unique. Two sold out shows on the Front Range smack dab in the middle of a much larger tour is good for the soul. Night one at The Aggie had fans lining up early for a coveted spot on the rail and a chance to snag a foil print from Add Noise Studios. Nugs streamed both shows giving Magoo a chance to reach a wider audience. They were streaming against Trey Anastasio and Billy Strings, but no worries there.

The night opened with the local folk project Friendly Reminders. Lead by Ian Foster he was flanked by Meg Forster on bass and harmonies. They invited several friends up to join throughout the set. It was nice, I think that’s the right word for this musical output. Delicate fingers on strings and a few tongue-in-cheek lyrics made for an enjoyable set. “Lead to Gold” was a bouncy tune about some love and life alchemy. They closed their 40 minute with the politically charged cry for help “Powder Keg.” Ian has a lot to say, he’s a modern folk artist stuck in a digital world. He’s from a bygone era, but the great thing about music is that it all comes back around.

Speaking of which Magoo is a band built on the foundation of tradition, but they like many of their bluegrass brethren are no longer beholden to Monroe’s Laws. Nope we are living in a new era where traditional string music is allowed to mingle with a new generation of music and that’s just going to have to be acceptable to the old guard. Cause the genie is out the bottle and pandora’s box has been opened, bluegrass is mainstream. Their sold out show at The Aggie was the first of a two night hometown throw down which would culminate in a sold out  Bluebird Theater show the following evening. It was all streamed live on Nugs.

As Magoo took the stage dobro player Dylan commented, “Wow, there’s a lot of people out there, thanks for coming.” The fact Is that this band has caught fire on the Front Range and beyond and people are paying attention. They opened up with with a shredtatstic train song, “One Way Track.” They wasted no time with their track about perspective, “Clarity” which segued beautifully into the New Riders of The Purple Sage standard, “Lonesome L.A. Cowboy.” “This Roads Been Good To Me” is an instant classic. That is all, It’s a great song. “Saro Jane” is a folk traditional made popular by The Kingston Trio. The harmonies of Dylan, Erik, and Courtlyn were on point during their ode to The Rockies, “Ohio Blues.” Magoo gave us a bit of church with “Cryin’ Holy Unto The Lord” before going back to their own songbook with “Big Fall.” They closed their first foray with a beautiful original instrumental “West Dakota Rose”

Magoo is fresh off the heels of releasing their first full length album, What A Life,  and unlike many of their contemporaries, they didn’t rush to put it out. They took their time, found some good management, played a helluva lot shows, and put out something they could really craft. They are absolutely crushing the merch game and exciting fans. And all of that is great, but really let’s be honest it’s their musical output and connection with fans that is really propelling them to the next level. The second set started mandolin heavy “Everlong” before they jumped ship to yet another railroad tune, “Can’t You Hear That Train.” I’m noting a slight theme here. They treated us to their own take on a pair of bluegrass tunes starting with The Steeldrivers’ “Where Rainbows Die” and continuing with a version of The Stanley Brothers’ “East Virginia Blues.” But they weren’t done yet. Fans went pretty nuts when they busted out Phish’s “Back On The Train.” Also…. Another train song. Magoo started in on “The Road” but it quickly gave way to a smoking “I Know You Rider.” And wait “I Know You Rider” is a train song too. Okay you get it. They threw it back to one of their old fan favorites “Coffee and Weed” before closing set two with a perfect hometown nod in the form of the Emmitt-Nershi Band nugget “New Country Blues.”

The encore was a one two punch of Radiohead into Bill Monroe. And really that sums it all up right there. Magoo is a band on a mission and they are coming to a town near you. With a massive lineup of festival stops and show dates it won’t be hard to catch them live. And you should before it’s like trying to find a Billy ticket. Oh did I mention Denton Turner on bass ’cause he absolutely drives the bus.