The String Cheese Incident Goes ‘Home’ On New Year’s Eve In Colorado

The String Cheese Incident wrapped a three-night run at The Mission Ballroom in Denver with a three-set show on New Year’s Eve. SCI, who formed not far away in the mountain town of Crested Butte in 1993 and were inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame on opening night of the run, celebrated being in their home state with a “home” themed third set.

After the initial two sets, the members of The String Cheese Incident retook the stage wearing matching colorfully printed suits. Set three began with bassist Keith Moseley taking lead on their classic “Black Clouds,” as a mountain range and moon was displayed behind the band. Following the opener, the stage was further adorned with props to resemble the band being inside a living room.

“It’s nice to be home for the holidays,” keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth said. “Thanks for joining us in the living room here.”

“We are so grateful to be [in] our home home in Colorado with you guys,” mandolinist Michael Kang added. “We’re going to celebrate our homecoming and being here with you guys for New Year’s.”

Guitarist Bill Nershi then thanked those that had left their homes to travel to attend the shows and surveyed the audience to see how many were Colorado residents, garnering a loud cheer from the crowd. Nershi then led the band through their debut cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound.”

The theme continued with SCI’s “Way Back Home” segueing into the band’s premiere performance of Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home,” which was sung by Kang and accompanied by dancers flanking both sides of the stage, while illuminated snowflakes were suspended above the audience.

The debut was followed by a transition back into “Way Back Home,” which built to the New Year’s countdown and subsequent balloon drop. Pausing briefly for celebratory toasts, the band picked up with Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” whose lyrics begin “Home, is where I want to be.”

Rounding out the rest of the set, SCI launched into the instrumental “Hi Ho No Show” and then selected the heartfelt “Sirens.” Drummer Michael Travis and percussionist Jason Hann broke into a drums jam that served as a bridge to “Texas,” which brought an end to set three. A cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Shakin’ The Tree” capped the night at The Mission Ballroom.

Prior to the festive third set, The String Cheese Incident presented two sets that focused on their original material, from the first set opening “Joyful Sound” through the second set closing “Just One Story,” which was a completion of the latter song from Saturday’s performance. Set two also featured a “Willin” by Little Feat rap within “Jellyfish.”