UMS Denver: Three Days with New Belgium
I spent this past weekend Photographing The Underground Music Showcase in Denver for New Belgium, posted up at the Fat Tire & Mountain Time stage. Three days, tons of music, and a lot of cold beer between takes. Here's how it went.
Goldie Double Exposure with a vortex in the Colorado Sky.
Friday: A Slow Start, Then 54 Ultra
Friday didn't exactly cooperate. Lightning moved into the area and the show had to be postponed while we waited it out — never fun for a photographer, standing around hoping the sky clears before the light does. It eventually did, and 54 Ultra took the stage once things got moving again, putting on an excellent show. Worth the wait.
Wild Skys Over Denver
54 Ultra takes the Stage at UMS 2026 Denver
Saturday: Hot One
Saturday was a scorcher. The kind of heat where you're grateful the New Belgium tent is pouring cold beer nonstop — Mountain Time never tasted better! The real highlight of the day came in the evening with Slender Bodies. Their sound has this dreamy, laid-back quality that hit just right as the temperature finally started to drop.
New Belgiums “Spoke Easy” was an essential watering hole between the two main outdoor stages.
Sunday: Bad Nerves and Goldie
Sunday I caught Bad Nerves for the first time, and it was a treat. Energetic, fast, fun to shoot — the kind of set where you just chase the movement. They closed out the weekend with Goldie, who brought some serious stage presence to send things off right.
A great weekend all around — lightning delays, brutal heat, and great music sets that all delivered in their own way. Huge thanks to New Belgium for having me out!
