Zeds Dead’s Deadbeats returned to Denver earlier this week for their three-day annual takeover. Starting with a two-night stint at Red Rocks on July 2nd and 3rd, the boys welcomed Chase & Status, Smoakland, Nostalgix, BLVK JVCK, and MYTHM, A Hundred Drums b2b Coki, Hamdi, Tape B, and Rohann, before closing each night with a unique two-hour set. Fans were blessed with both new hits as well as ZD classics, and everything in between. Highlights include ‘Shut Up & Sing’, ‘Touch,’ ‘Phuket Sunrise,’ their new ‘Criminal’ collab with Hamdi, and numerous samples and flips from iconic songs throughout history, including ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow‘ by Judy Garland, ‘God Only Knows’ by The Beach Boys, and songs from The Supremes, Gorillaz, Elvis, Destiny’s Child, and many more.
“We had the idea of visually referencing some of the original songs we sampled or remixed. We wanted to shine a light on the vastness of cultural references that go into each set that sometimes could go unnoticed. We felt like seeing the singer that was sampled or the movie scene that was in a song would really bring home the whole ethos of what we’re all about. Really give a nod to sampling and remix culture.”
-Zeds Dead
On July 4th, Deadbeats headed to Civic Center Park for the Backyard Jamboree, a full day of fun with a dunk tank, food trucks, the 3rd Annual Deadbeats Hot Dog Eating Contest, and three stages of music featuring music from Blanke, Rush Hour, SuperAve. B2B Heyz, JAWNS, TWONSKi, Delta Heavy, Kenny Ken, Kumarion B2B Smoakland, Blossom, Mary Droppinz, NOISES, Soki, and Pacifix, and of course the boys. Despite some rain, the day was a success and the boys still threw down with fan favorites like ‘Knights in White Satin,’ ‘GodLovesUgly,’ and ‘Neck and Neck.’
Closing out this year’s Denver takeover with a bang, the Deadbeats Hangover at Mission Ballroom was the set to see this weekend, with two different sets from the boys, including a surprise B2B with NGHTMRE. Zeds Dead delivered fan favorites like ‘In The Beginning,’ ‘Rude Boy,’ and ‘Lies’ and left fans mesmerized with next level visuals and production.
While this year’s annual takeover has sadly come to an end, I know the Deadbeats team has big things in store for us next year to celebrate the 10th anniversary. Until then Deadrocks!