A short documentary of Down‘s performance at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico, on September 27, 2024, was just released. That performance was one of the band’s first three shows since 2022, and a press statement explained its significance.
On June 20th of last year, DOWN was scheduled to perform a special one-off show at the Inn Of The Mountain Gods in Mescalero, New Mexico, their first in nearly two years. The show was postponed due to rapidly growing wildfires which were converging on a village inside a tribal reservation in the state. Thousands of residents in southern New Mexico were ordered to evacuate their homes. As a result, DOWN played two pop-up shows in Louisiana. Portions of the proceeds from each of those shows were donated to the Mescalero Apache Nation – South Fork Fire relief fund. The Mescalero show was rescheduled for September 27th. Prior to the performance, Blue Shendo, Tribal Administrator of the Apache Mescalero Tribe, and Councilwoman Euphrasia Platta, as well as Miss Mescalero honored the band with two gifting ceremonies where they presented blankets as a sign of The Mescalero Apache Tribe’s appreciation to DOWN for raising awareness and their contribution of funds after the fires.
To play a show for the music/metal fans from Mescalero was an absolute honor — the beautiful presentation from the local Apache Tribe was humbling, surreal, and strong. I’d play there again in a heartbeat.
Anselmo
When we were invited to play the Inn Of The Mountain Gods, we knew from the start it would be special. Almost canceled due to wildfires, we played two shows in Louisiana to help raise funds for the locals in Mescalero. The show was rescheduled and we flew out the next month. Before the show, we were presented with embroidered native wool blankets in appreciation for our donation which was an absolute honor. The show was amazing. It was truly a special weekend. Bower