The frenetic air buzzing through Chaifetz Arena Saturday night was fully charged in anticipation of the unprecedented debut of newly announced rock band, Mirador. 

Opting to tease fans with only a sixty second instrumental clip before their live debut, Mirador took the stage as the house lights dimmed Saturday evening to a sold out venue. A testament, surely, to their passion and faith in the music they have created thus far. Beginning their set with Feels Like Gold, Chris Turpin-one half of rock duo Ida Mae-invited fans into this musical odyssey with a catchy guitar riff that progressed into a heavier rock sound when joined by co-frontman Jake Kiszka. With the pair sharing vocals, trading lines that could rival lyrical greats such as Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, fans were left stunned when Kiszka belted out his first line; proving he too to be a multi-talented artist. Previously lending backing vocals to band Greta Van Fleet, the guitarist surprised fans as he held his own against legendary singer-songwriter Turpin as the energy in the venue shifted from nervous anticipation to excited astonishment as Miradors incendiary performance continued on through songs Roving Blade and Must I Go Bound.

 Once describing his approach to playing as visceral and animalistic, Kiszka’s traditional style of playing marries well with Turpin’s spellbinding folk-blues riffs and progressions as the pair prove they have created something truly magical. Leading into their fourth song, Kiszka cheekily thanked his own band for having them out while introducing Mirador as ‘an important group’, a collective of Turpin and Kiszka’s efforts with drummer Mikey and bassist Nick. Though it is not clear if the aforementioned drummer and bassist are staples of this band, or touring musicians lending their phenomenal talents to the stage alone, the chemistry between this quartet is palpable. At the end of their five song set, a mere half hour in an evening filled with electric rock music, Mirador left the stage to cheers and applause by the entire audience as excited chatter filled the air.

 Upon announcement of their collaboration, musicians Chris Turpin and Jake Kiszka further announced they would be opening up each show on Greta Van Fleet’s second US leg of their Starcatcher World Tour, sharing the stage also with American-rock band Geese. Beginning April 27, 2024 in St. Louis, Missouri, this tour will see Mirador opening twelve shows through the spring.