By: Avery Jones

Alternative hip-hop artist Macklemore kicked off his MtvU Woodies Tour at the University of Northern Colorado Sunday March 3. Five thousand expectant fans gathered at Butler Hancock Sports Pavillion to scream, cheer, and sing along. As the performers’ energy rose, so did the crowd’s; as the crowd’s energy rose, so did the performers’. This energy rose so high that it quite literally shook the building. As the performers and the crowd jumped and shouted during “Can’t Hold Us,” the DJ table toppled to the ground due to the tumultuous conditions in the building. Macklemore is customarily accompanied by DJ Ryan Lewis. Unfortunately, Lewis fell ill the night prior to the concert, after performing on Saturday Night Live in New York, and could not make the concert in Greeley. Lewis was replaced Sunday night by Macklemore’s manager, Zach Quillen. Macklemore and Lewis were joined onstage by trumpeter Owuor Arunga and vocalist Ray Dalton who is featured in the hit song “Can’t Hold Us.” The group performed an hour-and-a-half-long set including two encores. For the first encore, Macklemore performed “And We Danced” in the attire of a woman’s wig and sparkling vest, and for the second, “Irish Celebration” complete with the Irish national flag. The demands for encores were overwhelming and very well-deserved. The entire group performed phenomenally the entire night. They were received very well by the audience. The intonation of the group, the incredible song selection, and the high-level energy all made for an amazing concert experience at UNC.

The Woodies Tour continued as Macklemore and group traveled to Dixie State College in St. George, UT on March 8 and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ on March 9.

March 3: University of North Colorado (Greeley, CO)

March 8: Dixie State College (St. George, UT)

March 9: Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ)