[UPDATED] Ween Returns To The Stage At 1st Bank Center In Colorado

“This is Dean Ween and I’m Gene Ween” is such a simple statement, but after years of not knowing whether Ween would reunite following a 2012 breakup those few words from Aaron “Gene Ween” Freeman at the beginning of last night’s show sent fans at the sold-out 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado into hysterics. Gener, Deaner, keyboardist Glenn McClelland, drummer Claude Coleman Jr. and bassist Dave Dreiwitz opened their first show since December 31, 2011 with “What Deaner Was Talking About” and its “I don’t think I will ever return again my friend” refrain. Yet return Ween did in delivering an impressive 33-song, career-spanning performance.

The band didn’t have much rust to shake off as they proceeded through a set that not only contained plenty of beloved classics, but also more rare material. Gener was in fine voice as Ween performed in front of a stage setup that included the band’s famed Boognish logo. After opening with “What Deaner Was Talking About,” “Buckingham Green,” “Beacon Light” and “Bananas And Blow,” the five-piece lit into “Japanese Cowboy” off 1996’s 12 Golden Country Greats. While Ween hadn’t performed the song since 1996 Gener played the tune at last year’s Summer Camp during his set fronting Umphrey’s McGee.

The fan-favorites kept coming throughout the night with “Spinal Meningitis,” “Roses Are Free,” “Mister Richard Smoker” and “The Goin’ Gets Tough From The Getgo” among the selections in the main set from the group’s legendary ’90s output. Last night’s show also saw a Ween debut as “How High Can You Fly?” from the 2005 rarities compilation Shinola, Vol. 1 (and earlier on the semi-official, internet only Craters Of The Sac LP) was performed live for the first time. Ween also played “Boys Club” for just the fourth time on Friday night.

After a 31-song main set, Ween returned for a “Fiesta” > “Buenas Tardes Amigo” encore. Coming into the run Deaner mentioned there would be no repeats during the three-show run in Colorado and there’s plenty of material left to be played as the Ween reunion continues on Saturday night.

Photos (by Jeremy Williams)

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”185″ gal_title=”20160212 Ween Colorado Jeremy Williams Take 2″]

Audio (taped by Mike B.)

Videos (captured by Tara Cushing)

[Ooh Va La]

[Japanese Cowboy]

[Nan]

[Gabrielle]

[A Tear For Eddie]

[Boys Club]

[Fiesta, Buenas Tardes Amigo]

[Sorry Charlie]

[Bananas & Blow]

[Mr. Richard Smoker]

[Tick]

[Puerto Rican Power]

[Homo Rainbow]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvCQdL01qGo

[What Deaner Was Talking About, Buckingham Green | captured by smwdaisy]

[Roses Are Free | captured by kurtfleck]