DON’T MISS! Itchy-O Denver Hallowmass 2025

Itchy-O’s Halloween performance is right around the corner; it’s time to start preparing for confrontation with structure, form, and identity!

If you aren’t aware, Itchy-O is an avant-garde, experimental music performance collective based right here in Denver. With over 50 members, the performance troupe is an “orchestral arsenal of avant-instrumentation.” According to a press release, every year, they put on an event called Hallowmass which focuses on the group’s own “Exocosmic Narrative.” They rotate between aspects of their “Triad of Impermanence” with this year’s focus being Mayat Öd—a confrontation of how we are physically impermanent.

In their own words, it is not a concert, nor immersive theater, “It is a ceremonial invocations rendered in sonic chaos, costumed ecstasy, and collective transformation.” They are an acclaimed group, having performed with legends like David Byrne and opened for icons like DEVO. Itchy-O is also praised for their unconventional and innovative performances.

Hallowmass is an event that welcomes and encourages engagement from anyone who attends, Itchy-O asks us to consider things in our lives that have grown stale. Roles that no longer fit us, bodies or places that we had depended on, and even structures that have crumbled. We are invited to bring physical objects that represent attachments that we are ready to release and offer them up symbolically.

The experience will also feature performance project SOUNDCULT, a similarly experimental “sound-worshipping cult” from Austin, TX. Additionally, there will be performances from Thor Harris of SWANS and Lyman Hardy of Total Unicorn and Ed Hall.

The chaotic release of energy at Hallowmass could be incredibly cathartic for those of us who have had a stressful year. Finally getting to take out some of the anger and pain we’ve experienced as queer people being attacked by this administration.

The event will take place on two days: Halloween itself, October 31 and November 1. The doors will open at 8:00 p.m; the show will begin at 9:00 p.m. All ages are welcome; Early arrival, symbolic offerings, and ritual attire are appreciated but not required!