Bestowing pan-Arkansan inspired music fused with the surrounding area’s classic sounds, Nick Shoulders graced three stages in northern Colorado for a full weekend.
First stretch of the Universe of Battle tour, Nick Shoulders and Jude Brothers took the stage at the Aggie Theater in Fort Collins on September 19th, 2025.
They performed a second set at the Gothic Theater in Denver on the 20th. Sharing sounds of traditional folk melodies, polishing both nights off in unison.
Capping off the weekend on the 21st, Kaylyn Fay took the floor as the opener for a privately announced set that was hosted at Collective Vintage in Fort Collins. Each night had left fans feeling captivated by their individually invigorating tunes.
The venues were packed with anxious crowds, ready to belt and bellow along to an evening of powerful words.
Jude Brothers single-handedly brought along the enchanting strings of a lap harp. She exposed the audience to wide vocal chord ranges and left a whimsical impression on listening ears.
She drew songs from previously released albums ‘& the Concrete Dragonfly‘ and ‘render tender / blunder sunder‘ with a few unreleased gems peppered into the set. Yips and hoots rang out from admirers who resonated with songs grappling with the essence of finding independence and navigating sacrifice.
Jude Brothers Links
Kalyn Fay kicked off the night at Collective Vintage on the 21st. The more intimate show had only been announced at the Aggie on the 19th, and once again via social media the day of the show.
Fay steered us into singing stories of Cherokee culture that define what home, disappointment, and hope look like in today’s world. With Olivia McGraw bowing the violin, the two harmonized songs from Fay’s records ‘Bible Belt‘ and ‘Good Company‘.
Kalyn Fay Links
The atmosphere prepped from passionate openers, Nick was accompanied by friends Jack Studer on the guitar, Georgia Parker playing the upright bass, and Olivia McGraw pulling double duties with her violin.
Blaring off a few strums from an acoustic guitar, Shoulders was found seated behind a foot operated drum kit wearing the iconic emerald colored cloak. Igniting performances with his legendary whistle, while the rest of the band geared into Lonely Like Me to precede an incoming myriad of hits off his complete discography.
The set lists varied mildly between each show, maintaining enticement as he outlined the narrative for songs such as Blue Endless Highway, Bound and Determined and Dixie Be Damned. Keeping the energy spirited, he doctored in more buoyant tunes like Ding Dong Daddy, Black Star and Too Old To Dream.
A man of many hats, Shoulders treated us to sporting a chain mail coif while performing an unreleased song titled 1381.
A sense of camaraderie ran through the lineup, communicated in quick, validating nods between artists. One by one, Nick took time to honor the behind-the-scenes contributors, then handed the spotlight to friends onstage for brief solo moments—making sure the crowd knew exactly who deserved their thanks.
He remained humble in acknowledging a few breached notes, rousing cheers and giggles. The audience was boisterous as they shouted back his lyrics in alliance, elating the air of each venue.
A Nick Shoulders show is guaranteed to make you feel something—whether it’s a renewed appreciation or discomfort with your heritage, rage at the state of the world, comfort in solidarity, or joy in unapologetic frivolity.
His music is rooted in a sharp, self-aware perspective, delivering thought-provoking anthems that confront life within modern injustice while acknowledging its deep historical roots.
In his latest record ‘Refugia Blues‘, there is no lost sense of those particular highlights. Additionally in each album, he preserves the infamous traditional whistling, yodeling and adjacently taught vocal capacity of his grandparents.
Tracks like Hardly Feelings and It’s the Best? focus on more personal and emotional experiences. Others like Surf de Mardi Gras and After Hours bring their own vivacious feel to the scene.
While his newest album makes its way to yearning ears, you’ll be able to plunge into older tunes off his discography on any major streaming platform as well.
Stay informed of upcoming tours and announcements through his Instagram or Facebook and treat yourself to some merch at the official Gar Hole Records website.
Ah-ru-ru-ruff!
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