May 12, 2025: Lucy Dacus

May 12, 2025: Lucy Dacus

Alright, Tony Price here, reporting from a truly special and intimate night at Red Rocks – Monday, May 12th, 2025, with Lucy Dacus! After the big orchestral spectacle and some country rocking, this was a beautiful shift to a more introspective and heartfelt experience.

The weather for a mid-May evening in Colorado was likely lovely. A clear, mild night, perfect for a performance that asks you to lean in and truly listen.

Lucy Dacus is a singer-songwriter with a remarkable talent for emotional storytelling. Her music is often described as indie rock with deeply personal and poetic lyrics, delivered with a quiet confidence that just commands attention. I was expecting a night of powerful, raw honesty and a genuine connection with the audience.

The crowd at a Lucy Dacus show is typically very attentive and respectful. People are there to listen to the words, to soak in the atmosphere, and to connect with the emotions she brings to her songs. I anticipated a lot of quiet reverence punctuated by warm applause and perhaps some tearful singalongs during her more impactful pieces.

Her stage presence is known for being understated yet incredibly magnetic. She doesn't rely on flashy theatrics; instead, her power comes from her captivating vocals and the honesty of her lyrics. She often shares little anecdotes between songs, which makes the audience feel like they're in her living room, even in a vast venue like Red Rocks. I hear she even admitted to missing the opportunity to get her mom flowers for Mother's Day, and asked the crowd to help wish her mom a happy one – how's that for relatable! She even played "My Mother and I" for the first time since 2022.

The stage setup for her "Forever is a Feeling" tour sounds like it was beautifully designed to complement her artistic vision. I've heard she's been using a backdrop with large golden frames that house changing artworks, reflecting the Renaissance-era motifs of her new album. This sounds like it would have created a really immersive, gallery-like atmosphere, perfect for her intimate songs. While the visuals were stunning, the lighting was likely minimal, allowing her music and the backdrop to truly shine.

The setlist likely drew heavily from her acclaimed new album, Forever is a Feeling, showcasing tracks like "Ankles," "Big Deal," and "Limerence," which sound even more impactful live. She also probably dipped into fan favorites and deep cuts like "Night Shift" and "Triple Dog Dare," even playing "Trust," one of the first songs she ever put out, for her long-term fans. She apparently had guest vocalists like Katie Gavin join her for songs like "Bullseye" too, which is always a treat!

Now, if I have to put on my "Tony's Thoughtful Listener" hat, some might find the tempo of her music to be more on the mellow side compared to some of the high-energy acts that play Red Rocks. However, the depth of her songwriting and the emotional punch of her delivery more than make up for it. It's not about jumping up and down; it's about being moved. She even had moments where she'd encourage the crowd to sing along, but also asked them to put away their phones for certain songs, really emphasizing being present.

Overall, Lucy Dacus at Red Rocks on that Monday night in May 2025 sounds like it was a truly beautiful, intimate, and emotionally resonant experience. She created a unique and captivating atmosphere in that grand amphitheater, proving that sometimes the quietest voices can make the biggest impact. Tony Price, signing off – feeling a little more connected to the human experience tonight!