“The Far Side” – Formally known as “Pharcyde”, return to Denver on their 30th Reunion Tour

Photo by Tess Styler (April 23, 2022 at Your Moms House, Denver.)

DENVER – After almost thirsty years since their last tour, The Far Side, formally known as The Pharcyde, finally came to local venue, Your Moms House, here in Denver on April 23.

Far Side (Pharcyde), an alternative hip hop group formed in the late 80s dominated the underground scene of hip hop in South Central Los Angeles. Made up of the original members, Imani, Fatlip, and SlimKid3, it was an instant throwback for the entirety of the night.

But the night didn’t start that way. Doors opened at around 8:00, and the crowd, an older one (me 21, was definitely the youngest one there), didn’t start forming till closer to 9:00, when the opener begun.

All eager for the night to begin, many of those in the audience haven’t seen them since high school or college days, and for me my first time. By the time the show begun, the people were ready.

Photo by Tess Styler, opener DJ Abilities using a turntable to mix, similar to that used in the 90s, unlike most Dj’s who opt for the modern day DJ pads.

The opener and sound master for the tour, DJ Abilities, was met with lively, tightknit crowd.

Mixing hits from the age of hip-hop with metal and 80s punk with classic rock, and mix that all together with EDM. Made out to be quite the night, full of dancing, head banging, and the occasional call-and-response with him and the crowd.

Busting out staples within the hip-hop world, “The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground, and “Electric Relaxation” by Tribe called Quest. And the people danced.

By the time The Far Side came to stage, the crowd was ready. Playing some of their biggest hits from their 1992 album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, like “Passin’ Me By” and “Ya Mama”.

Keeping the audience in high spirits came as second nature for these emcees, reminding everyone there why the underground hip-hop community fell in love with them all those years ago.

This was a night to remember, both for Far Sides, not having been in Denver since the 90s, and their dedicated fanbase that came out in numbers and did a number on the merchandise table.

Which unfortunately wasn’t all that stacked in the beginning.

Talking with one of their road members as to why they only had one t-shirt and one hoodie option, they went on to share that their trailer of merch was broken into earlier that day, nearly clearing them out.

But that didn’t stop them from giving the people what they wanted. Being true guides, and legends on a trip back down memory lane. Way back to the 90s, full of their mischief and humor through their ability to keep the audience engaged and excited.

Closing out with their hit song, “Runnin” from album “Labcabincalifornia”, and accompanied by local Denver singer, Moombeam Kelly, to give us a nostalgic yet powerful closing song.

Sticking around for autographs and photos, the three emcees were right at home at Your Moms House and feeling all the love from their Denver fans.

This show ends up being in the middle of their 30 Year Tour, where they’ll travel to the West Coast, hitting their home city of Los Angeles before finishing up back in Wisconsin.