All apologies to Emerson, but I could use more "foolish consistency" from the venues in my life. I showed up at The Replay just before the announced 6pm start to find an empty stage and bands loading in. When questioned, the headliner confirmed that 7pm was probably always the plan. That seemed legit for a two-band show, so I continued down Mass Ave, now focused on Thai food. When I returned an hour later, I heard music. The basil tofu turned in my anxious stomach as I rushed in with my camera.

Denver's Palehorse/Palerider features Brandon Richier (guitar, vocals), David Atkinson (bass), and Ryan Sims (drums). I only caught part of the group's finale, a smart song that moved from deft, twinkling shoegaze to blasting, noisy intensity. The band is billed as doomgaze, so that checks out. I'm sad I missed the rest – I bet it was a good set.

I spent the hour break between performances standing by the fire on the patio, catching up with friends. They also missed the opener, and we all bemoaned the uncertainty of set times.

There wasn't much energy in the room when Drifter took the stage – Monday shows rarely draw fans or energize bands, and for forty minutes, Drifter mostly went through the motions. Of course, the trio's songs were still strong. Each composition was built on a dark and heavy doom foundation that the act slowly adorned with post-rock elements. Compositions unfolded in elaborate stories – stories of anguish if the howls of bassist Dean Edington are taken at face value. Often his vocals envelop rooms, either suffocating the audience or cradling it depending on individual tolerances, but there was no thunder on this evening. No commanding presence. Guitarist Brodie Belt added his thick filigree with the aid of 1000 effects pedals, and drummer Joel Denton steered the threesome from whisper quiet moments to cacophonous explosions, but the vibes were off. The band's newest song made an appearance mid set in a fuller and richer incarnation than its debut at Driftmist months ago. Were the dialog samples new? The cut's slow, primal drums, tremolo guitar, and tortured vocals made me glad I had made the drive to Lawrence on Monday night, but next time I'll skip the stir fry and wait inside – you never know when a Replay show will start.