Show Review: Tennis at Denver’s Mission Ballroom
In a hometown return to Denver, Indie-pop duo Tennis brought their ‘Pollen’ tour to a packed Mission Ballroom. Following the release of their 6th album ‘Pollen’ the duo have been on a 31 date tour across the US. With bunches of sold out shows from coast to coast, the tour has been a success and highly acclaimed. Yet no show can top the nostalgia inducing hometown show. Standing high on the stage in the city that fostered them, as well as the city were they still record the songs that captivate crowds night after night.
The feeling of this being a special night was thick in the air from the moment doors opened. Joined by the Canadian folk-pop group Loving for their first night of their support run for Tennis. Loving eased the crowd into the evening with their smooth sound and yearning lyrics.
Tennis arrived to the stage and elegantly slid into ‘One Night With The Valet’ The smooth glimmer of Alaina Moore’s vocals and captivating key work giving the perfect intro to lovely set the crowd was already enthralled with. The stage set up was simple and roomy. Alaina and husband Patrick placed middle stage (often face to face on adjacent keyboards). The supporting drummer and bass player tucked in the back corners. All in front of a massive screen displaying intricate yet not overwhelming displays that painted the venue in a glow of light, each color and pattern fitting the mood of each song perfectly.
As the setlist progressed Tennis played each song with gusto, while diverting from the recorded versions in ways that fit the large space of the Mission Ballroom perfectly. Patrick’s guitar work blasting through the room as he riffed playfully, adding highlights to already stand-out songs. The live bass and drum tones fit so well with the 70’s vibes that Tennis brings, all while elevating the liveliness and energy on many of the smooth ballads. The grooves had the whole room moving, lovers swayed side by side or spun each other around, fully entranced in the melodic landscapes filling the air.
Being a hometown show Alaina took a few moments between songs to reflect on their musical journey here in Denver At one point noting that she recognized a bartender now working at the 4000 cap Mission Ballroom, who was pouring drinks a the much smaller Larimer Lounge 12 years ago when the band first played there. A clear exemplification of how far Tennis has come. Deeper into the set Alaina fielded questions from the audience regarding how the duo has managed to maintain successful marriage and music career that both coexist. Reflecting that marriage and love comes first before the music.
The walk down memory lane and refection of the duo meeting years prior and then starting to make music together only after being married was wrapped up of by the band kicking off ‘Let’s Make a Mistake Tonight’, one of the larger more driving tracks off of Pollen.
Finishing the night off with a 3 song encore capped off by ‘Glorietta’ the home town reunion was over as quickly as it began. The nostalgic feeling of knowing how special this night impossible to shake off.
The Pollen tour continues through May 6th. Tennis will continue treating fans to amazing shows on every stage they step foot on. It’s doubtful any other show on this tour will have that same magic that this hometown show had. Don’t let that sway you from experiencing the enchantment that Tennis brings with the live renditions of all the great songs that the Duo have become so acclaimed for.
