Saturday night at the Bluebird started out with a modest crowd and a few bobbing heads and ended with a packed room full of dancing concertgoers. Jonny Woodrose & The Broken-Hearted Woodpeckers got things started with their unique style of folksy rock. I personally liked their song “Chumps” with its line “Don’t let your girlfriend wear your socks on her feet.”

Common Anomaly came from Fort Collins to play their first official Denver-venue-gig that night. Their sound was like a dancy wall-of-sound tempered with occasional singing. Every note was syncopated to the dance-beats, requiring each player to keep their parts tight and together. I would highly suggest seeing these guys live if they happen to make their way down to Denver again any time soon.

The dancing continued with The Photo Atlas. Despite some technical difficulties their set drew the crowd in really got things kicked in to high gear. They played mostly newer material (from their recent EP To Silently Provoke The Ghost) but also got a few older numbers in as well. Be sure to catch The Photo Atlas this Thursday at the Marquis for their SXSW sendoff party.

Finally it was time for The Knew. Before the set began, a screening of a documentary about the group from  PhotoRoadies showed the band’s progression up to the release of Pulperia. It all managed to build the energy in the room as The Knew took the stage. Their set was a full-out dance party complete with fog machines, beach balls, and some of the catchiest hooks coming out of Denver.

After the normal set ended the crowd was not quite satisfied. Upon their return to the stage everyone mustered the energy to dance for another 3 songs (there was also a marriage proposal thrown in there too). Overall, The Knew’s performance was one of the best I have seen this year from a local band.

View a full gallery from the show here.