Don’t miss Photon and Rado Live @ The Bluebird Theater on January 3, 2026. Grab Tickets Now.
Are you ready for a night of vibrant colors, improvisational magic, and musical exploration? Denver has always been known for its thriving jam band scene. Legends like Phish and Widespread Panic annually play iconic venues like Red Rocks and Fiddler’s Green. And there is a long list of up-and-coming talent bustling through the club scene at venues like the Bluebird Theater and Cervantes’ Masterpiece. One thing stands out: Denver shows up for the magic of improvisational music and talented musicians. This Saturday, the city is in for a treat as Photon and Rado, two Denver-based psychedelic jam bands, are kicking off 2026 with an epic night of music and art at the Bluebird Theater on Jan. 3.
Who is Rado?
Rado is a Denver-based band that truly embodies creativity and fun. The four-piece band consists of Dylan Tuthil on guitar and vocals, James Hatch on keys and vocals, Kevin MacKinnon on bass and vocals, and the latest addition, Jermy Dietz, on drums. Dietz joined the band in July of 2025, following the departure of previous drummer Ben Cummings. They dropped their debut album, Baker’s Measurement, in August of 2024 and have been hitting shows hard since. Baker’s Measurement is a unique musical experience that blends genres such as jazz, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and rock. From uptempo tronica to downtempo grooves, no genre seems off limits for the boys in Rado.
Photon: A Thievery Corporation and Dopaodo Lovechild
Photon is an improvisational rock and funk band that blends electronica with live instrumentation. Formed as a side project for members of Theivery Corporation and Dopapod, Photon is a live experience that fuses multiple genres and styles into a soundbeam of listening pleasure. The trio consists of James Durnston on Piano, Neal Evan on drums, and Dan Africano on bass guitar. You can expect funky dance vibes, progressive jazz, electronica, and everything in between.
An Audio/Visual Spectacle
The psychedelic grooves of Photon and Rado, proudly dubbed “Radon” on social media, pair best with a bit of visual wonder. That’s where the dynamic duo of Liquid JPEG Light Show comes into play. As some of the most creative and innovative up-and-coming visual artists, Liquid JPEG combines both analog and digital art to transform venues into brand new worlds. They have been brought in for this special night with “Radon” and are preparing for a whole night of projection mapping and visuals that will transform the Bluebird Theater into a vortex of psychedelic colors and sounds.
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Break out the dancing shoes and kick off 2026 rocking with two of Denver’s favorite bands. Get tickets now before this one sells out!
