Article Contributed by Elliot Engebretson
Published on January 23, 2026
Lotus | Denver, Colorado | January 16th, 2026 | photos by Elliot Engebretson
Lotus has evolved steadily over the years, shape-shifting through successive eras of technology while always staying ahead of the curve. What was once a melodic, earthy up-and-comer in the jamtronica scene has grown into an energetic powerhouse for jam and electronic fans alike. Playing a massive number of shows each year, and fueled by the 2021 addition of guitarist Tim Palmieri, Lotus has reached new heights with their sound, delivering a refined balance of signature laid-back grooves, diverse sampling, and high-energy electronica built for the dance floor.
This past weekend at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver was no different, as the band explored endless corners of space and time to the delight of their die-hard Mile High faithful.
After a scorching night at Washington’s in Fort Collins, which saw the band dive deep into their older catalog with classics like “Spiritualize” and “Flower Sermon,” the Cervantes stop offered a well-curated blend of old and new. The current tour celebrates Lotus’ upcoming album Rise of the Anglerfish, available everywhere February 12.
True to form, the record is an exploratory journey between light and dark, emphasizing modular jams, heavy synth textures, and infectious, head-nodding beats. Lotus opened the night with the instantly catchy “Aqua Marine,” followed by a thick electronic push into “128.” Gone are the days of a slow Lotus build—this was liftoff from the first note, and the band never looked back.
Tracks like “Caywood” and “Oblong Shapes” transformed Cervantes into a canvas of light and sound, the packed room swaying and dancing to synth-forward, driving grooves.
Guitarist/keyboardist Luke Miller set the tone early, locking in tightly with brother Jesse Miller on exploratory modular passages that stretched and morphed in real time. The chemistry between the two remains the cornerstone of Lotus, and it has only deepened with the addition of Tim Palmieri. Palmieri complements the band’s sound effortlessly, knowing when to remain patient and elegant in the tradition of his predecessor Mike Rempel, while also possessing the instinct to push things skyward at just the right moment.
He soared throughout the first set on tracks like “Phantom Tooth” and the Psychemagik cover of “Mink & Shoes,” painting the room with vibrant chord progressions and shimmering sonic color. Drummer Mike Greenfield, an absolute force behind the kit, anchored the rhythm alongside Jesse Miller, allowing Palmieri the freedom to dance between the frets.
Set II leaned into a more old-school, throwback feel. Opening with a cover of Mildlife’s “Automatic,” the band transformed the indie favorite into a grooved-out, high-fidelity journey before landing cleanly into “Suitcases.” The familiar chords lit up faces throughout Cervantes, as the tune often serves as a launchpad for deep, psychedelic exploration.
“Bamboo Forest > Modular Jam” followed, giving the Miller brothers room to shine with new sampling, looping, and modular effects. The band truly has carved out their calling with these dance-forward tracks, and the ability to layer the tech over instruments has set them apart from the rest of the scene.
Once fully immersed in the techno garden, Lotus delivered what would become the highlight of the night: an old-school “It’s All Clear to Me Now” that sent the dance floor into overdrive. The set closed in epic fashion with a massive “Wax > Baby Again (Skrillex cover) > Wax,” sending the crowd into a full-blown frenzy.
Always ahead of the curve in electronic music, Lotus continues to be one of the most prolific bands when it comes to seamlessly blending EDM energy into a jam-heavy, synth-focused party.
The crowd screamed and applauded for more as the band returned for a final encore of the beloved “Catacombs.” For those brave enough to stay past 1 a.m., Mike Greenfield capped the night with a DJ set for the most dedicated Lotus fans.
It was a special night in the Mile High and yet another reminder of why Lotus and Colorado remain such an epic combination. The band pushes on with the Rise of the Anglerfish tour this February, playing shows across the Southeast and moving their way north, as well as a feature in this year’s Jam Cruise.
Lotus continues to push the boundaries on what is possible when the world of electronic music meets patient, intentional jamming, and grooves interlock with stellar rhythm to create one of the best dancefloor experiences in the country.
