Photos by Larissa Swatek ; Written by Larissa Swatek
Andy Frasco and the U.N. made a momentous stop in Denver, Colorado, playing at a sold-out show at the Ogden Theater on January 26th, 2024. Tenth Mountain Division, a local band from Colorado. Got the crowd riled up, opening for Andy Frasco and the U.N. Their music is a take on southern rock, progressive bluegrass, sixties psychedelic blues, and good ol’ rock and roll! The energy they brought to the stage blew the crowd away. Starting the show, the house speakers played Dolly Parton ‘9 to 5’ right before Andy took the stage. Fans roared as the band came tumbling out from backstage. Right off the ground, the band had nothing but pure energy the entire night. When talking to fans beforehand, they had asked me if I had ever attended one of his concerts, I told them I hadn’t and they responded with“Well, you are in for a trip, this guy is crazy!” and man were they right.
During the show, the set consisted of a piano that’s top-lifted, birthday parties, old friends, rock and roll, drinks, crowd surfing, a full brass band, crazy shenanigans, and much more! Some songs from the night include: ‘Dancin’ Around My Grave’, ‘Birthday Song’, ‘Somedays’, ‘Spill The Beans’, and ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’. Throughout the night, the energy never died. The band shared memorable moments with the crowd and at one moment Andy sat down and talked to the fans about his life and how he was once in a dark place with depression, but looking around and seeing all the people who support him and all the friends he’s made throughout his life, there’s no place he would rather be than right here in Colorado with the people he loves.
He shared that if you are ever feeling yourself in that place, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, because life is worth living. During the show, he also played a tribute song to his mother that he sang to her all the time as she was fighting cancer called ‘Somedays’. She is now doing better and fighting with all her Might. Andy Frasco and the U.N. are a party band formed in Los Angeles, California that blends soul, blues, jazz, and a-rockin’ good time. The band consists of Andrew Frasco (lead vocals/keys), Ernie Chang (saxophone), Shawn Eckels (guitar/vocals), Andee Avila (drums/vocals), and Floyd Kellogg (bass guitar).
