Archive for month: May, 2018

Trying to fill someone’s shoes can be tricky. Regardless of who it is.
But when those shoes belong to a beloved musical icon, whose fairly recent passing is still felt throughout the world, the stakes mostly certainly go up a notch. Or ten.

Enter Marshall Charloff and the Purple Xperience. Hailing out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the five-piece Prince tribute band have been on the scene since 2011. The group was founded by Matt “Doctor” Fink, keyboardist for The Revolution. And thanks to a steady presence on the touring circuit, their following has been building. Thursday evening was just the first of the two Colorado performances they’ll make this year.

The resemblance between Charloff and Prince is striking. Both in looks and musical prowess. The high notes. The guitar chops. The moves. It’s all there in full supply. And the band, made up of accomplished musicians as well, rounded out the experience seamlessly.

I’ve been to more Red Rocks shows than I can count. But the level of crowd involvement – and purple attire – at this one seemed particularly poignant. From the first notes of opener “Uptown,” and through a set list that included the likes of “Little Red Corvette,” “I Would Die 4 U,” and “Purple Rain,” the crowd was engaged in a steady sing-along. The momentum never waned. Even after the last notes of the encore had faded and the masses began shuffling out of the
venue, Prince songs could still be heard floating in the air. The tribute band out of Minneapolis had clearly done their job Thursday night. ‘The Purple One’ would have been pleased.

The evening’s set list:

Uptown
Controversy
U Got the Look
Wanna Be Your Lover
Cream
Nothing Compares to You
America
Let’s Go Crazy
Little Red Corvette
Raspberry Beret
Pop Life
When Doves Cry
G-D (instrumental)
1999
I Would Die 4 U
Baby, I’m a Star
Purple Rain

Review and Photos by Tina Hagerling – Click to view original article @Alternative Revolt