FEB 6, 2025 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | By Sydney McGarr
On Sunday, Feb. 2, the popular Colorado College student band Shop Dog looked confident and excited as they took the stage at Lulu’s Downtown. They were opening for the Chicago-based indie rock trio, The Slaps.
Shop Dog, composed of seven students, quickly rose to campus fame after their formation last year. In March 2024, they won the Battle of the Bands, which awarded them a coveted spot to play at Llamapalooza, CC’s annual music and arts festival.
The bond between the band members was clear from the moment they started their set. Lead singer Perry Davis ‘27 captivated the audience with her delicate vocals while subtly moving to the music and holding eye contact with her other band members, who accompanied her in perfect time and rhythm.
A mixed crowd of community members and CC students lined the dance floor and sat at the bar area.
The band played a 30-minute set of entirely original music. This was a shift from their previous shows, where they often played covers of old hits in addition to their own originals.
Their songs were effortlessly melodic and catchy. A close listener would note the emotional depth of the lyrics trailing above the bass lines and jazzy horn solos, which reflect the emotional experiences of the young band members.
“What’s my favorite place dear?/ What’s my middle name, dear?/ I fear I’m afraid, dear/ You don’t know who I am,” Davis sang at one point over the soulful movement of drums and guitar.
For many student fans, Shop Dog’s original work is the best part of their shows.
“My highlight was the new original song that was written in the week prior to the show,” said concert attendee Henry Walker ‘27.
Lulu’s Downtown, a popular Colorado Springs music venue and bar, celebrated the grand opening of their downtown location in April 2024 after announcing the closure of their Manitou Springs location, which had been open since 2019.
In an interview with the Colorado Springs Gazette before the opening, owner of the restaurant Marc Benning said he was excited about the change.
“I think the downtown location will be really nice, just to be around the people and energy. I think it’s a really easy location for the entirety of the community to get to,” he said.
Benning was right. The venue has become a huge draw for Colorado Springs locals as well as CC students who want a place to hear live music from smaller bands. It’s within walking distance of campus, located right above Mexican restaurant Illegal Pete’s.
All of these factors make it a more or less perfect venue for Shop Dog on a Sunday night. Listening to fellow students play rich acoustic music was a fantastic way for students to wrap up their weekend.
As for Shop Dog, they’re looking ahead to another year of shows and are excited to be entering the same spaces as bigger artists.
“It’s always fun to just play music with my friends for people who want to listen. And it was awesome to open for The Slaps, a band we all really love,” said bass guitarist Maddox Rochman ‘27.