Gothic Theatre Denver, CO
Contact: katie.ogara@umusic.com
Web: miradorband.com
Players: Jake Kiszka, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Chris Turpin, vocals, guitar; Nicholas Pini, bass, keys; Mikey Sorbello, drums
As fans spent the day camping outside the venue and curious pedestrians strode by, the same question arose time and time again: “Who are you waiting to see?” Mirador, they explained, the result of a creative partnership between Jake Kiszka (Greta Van Fleet) and Chris Turpin (Ida Mae). After meeting in Detroit in 2018, the two quickly found a kindred soul in each other. One thing led to another, and the idea for the band was born. Now, years later, their work has finally been shared with the world.
Mirador has cited artists like early Fleetwood Mac, the Allman Brothers, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Fred McDowell, and Lead Belly as influences for the bluesy-rock they’ve created. They operate as a dual guitar band, with Kiszka and Turpin working in conjunction to complement the other. Somehow, their distinct styles of playing fall into a seamless, almost romantic, interplay. Rounding out the band is Nicholas Pini, who keeps the groove down on bass and keys, and Mikey Sorbello delivers finesse on the drums. Both Pini and Sorbello have worked alongside Rival Sons’ Jay Buchanan in his solo endeavors, amongst other projects, and bring an incredible wealth of talent to the stage.
This world tour—spanning North America and Europe—comes just as the band released their debut, self-titled album. Kiszka paired up once again with producer Dave Cobb, who worked on Greta Van Fleet’s last album, Starcatcher, to bring the Mirador sound to life. The result is a sort of lawless rock that unites everything from British folk to American Delta Blues under one sonic landscape. It evokes a certain nostalgia for times past while also feeling like uncharted territory.
After an incredible opening set by Linka Moja, the lights came down at 9 p.m. and Jim Ghedi’s “What Will Become of England” boomed over the speakers, riling up the crowd and setting the scene for revelry. Mirador took the stage to “Heels of the Hunt” wielding their guitars as swords followed by “Raider,” which included an extensive guitar aside with Kiszka and Turpin sparring via fretboards.
“Feels Like Gold” was Mirador’s first official release and the first song written together. The heavy riff has quickly become an iconic part of the setlist. After an electric performance of “Roving Blade,” Pini showed off with a heavy bass solo that practically had the walls shaking, all while humbly hidden behind the curtain of his hair. He then turned it over to Sorbello who took the spotlight for a drum solo that simply stole the show. At many other concerts, the solos may be a good time to use the bathroom or buy merchandise without the line. At Mirador? Absolutely not. Sorbello used every part of his body to create a dynamic performance that left everyone in awe. As fans bowed down to their master of percussion, the rest of the band reassembled for “Fortune’s Fate.”
For “Ten Thousand More to Ride,” Kiszka broke out the harmonica while Turpin took his chance to rile up the crowd with that oh-so-poetic British lilt. The tender feeling carried over into the next song, “Must I Go Bound,” before bringing the volume back up for “Blood and Custard.”
