On Nov. 7, 2024, Larimer Lounge welcomed Nashville singer/songwriter BabyJake to the stage. Following the release of his 6th studio album Beautiful Blue Collar Boy, BabyJake kicked off his North American tour after recently leaving Republic Records and signing with independent label ALTER Music. The label switch seemed to open up doors for BabyJake as the rising star pivoted from Pop/R&B, to an Alternative/Indie rock sound. This new sound is a callback to the era of classic rock fused with a modern day edge that the current music industry desperately needs.
BabyJake embraced the Colorado snowstorm, sporting a black puffer coat and a beanie for the beginning of his set. He opened his set with a dynamic performance of a fan favorite off his newest album, “Momma 212.” BabyJake brought an energy to Larimer Lounge that the audience immediately picked up on. He encouraged movement, laughter, and screaming along to the lyrics. This song was a perfect start to the show, setting up the audience for an exciting performance.
BabyJake is an expert at interacting with his crowd. He speaks candidly to his fans, almost as if he’s known them for years. The level of comfort that BabyJake exhibits on stage is one that many artists strive for. In addition to making his audience feel comfortable, the same efforts are extended towards his band, with each instrument working in time with each other to create a seemingly effortless performance.
A standout performance was BabyJake’s rendition of “Beast of Burden,” by The Rolling Stones. He released this as a single in 2023, and it quickly became a fan favorite. Later, this single was a featured track on his album Aren’t We Ever Gonna Be More Than Friends, and clearly, this Denver crowd was anticipating the cover, as they erupted into cheers as soon as the band struck the first chord.
BabyJake exquisitely pulled off the 1980s classic, playing and singing as if it was his own song. He seemed emotionally connected with the piece, which boosted this immaculate performance. The fire behind his raspy vocals drove the song along, with the band backing him along the way. This cover is the perfect nod of appreciation to the classic rock superstars that came before him.
As the night came to an end, the crowd was still humming with chatter and excitement after what they had just seen. Everyone wants to know what’s next in BabyJake’s career. His ability to blend the modern day music industry with the old classic rock sound of the 1980s had solidified his place as an artist to watch. The release of Beautiful Blue Collar Boy highlights BabyJake’s recent artistic reinvention that has fans eager for more from this spirited artist. If his Denver performance was any indication, the road ahead is bound to be filled with more electrifying performance and genre-defying hits.
