Music | The Bluebird District Music Festival | Recap and Photos

This past weekend the streets of East Colfax played host to the first ever Bluebird District Music Festival. With over 100 plus bands spread out throughout the weekend at five different venues, it was a music lovers paradise for three days. We were able to capture some of the best moments of the festival including great sets by A. Tom Collins, Dragondeer, Edison, Rowdy Shadehouse, Toe and more. Even some surprised guest made an appearance like Michal Menert who jammed out during Amp Live's set and Griz who laid down sax duties during a raucous Sunsquabi set.

A. Tom Collins (Photo Credit: Andrew Rios)

The festival seemed well organized, a huge feat when dealing with multiple venues and the crazy amount of bands. We hope that it can build off its first attempt and get bigger and bigger every year.

Check out our photo slideshow below for more images courtesy of Andrew Rios.

Music | Denver Weekend Roundup: July 10 - 12, 2015.

It’s a busy weekend for music here in Denver, so let us be the first to tell you that it’s completely unacceptable for you to not go see at least one show! To try and help make the decision process easier, we’ve compiled a list of shows of varying shapes and sizes: from Red Rocks to radio festivals, down to the little “need to see” acts who are just about to blow up and the locals who always deserve your time and attention. Check this over, and see if you can’t squeak in a little live music to liven up your weekend festivities. 

If you want something BIG: KTCL 93.3 FM’s Big Gig

When: Saturday, July 11th.
Doors: 2:30pm

If you’ve been jamming to any songs currently in rotation on Denver’s top Alternative station, 93.3 FM, love a good outdoor concert, or like to blend your big names with a little local love, you couldn’t ask for a better show than the annual Big Gig. Presented by KTCL with some help from AEG, this radio station annually gathers local rockstars, national bands on the up-and-up, and pairs them up with some of the biggest names in Alternative for one massive day of shows. This year’s concert features the likes of a locals stage (featuring many of the bands from Hometown For The Holidays), Nate Ruess of fun., Andrew McMahon in The Wilderness, New Politics, Banks, Atlas Genius, and headlining is AWOLNATION. Sit back, grab a $20 beer and enjoy this eclectic lineup from the comfortable grass of Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater.
for tickets: http://www.fiddlersgreenamp.com/events/detail/274698

If you want some RED ROCKS: The Avett Brothers

When: Friday - Sunday night, July 10th - 12th.
Show start: 7:30pm on Friday/Saturday, 5:30pm Sunday. 

photo credit: Matt Smith (Ultra5280)

I must (sadly) premise this part of our list by saying that yes, all three nights of this residency from Indie/Folk/Americana superstars The Avett Brothers is already sold out. But tickets are still available via Craigslist and StubHub! if you’re interested. This band of brothers has been selling out one weekend at Red Rocks each summer for the past few years - and with good reason. The group’s harmonies are top notch, and their music varies from heartfelt, violin-riddled lullabies to leg-slappin’, Banjo filled shoe-stompers. The Avett Brothers are some of our favorite artists, and it’s a stern Ultra5280 belief that you must see them at least once, or you’re certainly missing out.
for more info: http://redrocksonline.com/concerts-events/detail/the-avett-br-7-11-2015 

If you want to say “I SAW THEM FIRST”: K.Flay

When: Saturday, July 12.
Doors: 8:00pm

I say this honestly, and from the heart: go.see.K. Flay.right.now. Well - at least on Saturday night. This brilliantly unique artist has been blowing up the internet for a few years now, while slowing growing her live presence.

Mixing brutally honest lyrics, entrancing beats, and a unique voice, K.Flay’s music is irresistible - perfect for jamming out, dancing, and my personal favorite - totally throwing down in the car while cruising on the highway, catching stares from all the people I pass. She was out on the entire Vans Warped Tour last year, and has toured with Denver darlings Air Dubai in the past - how many more reasons do I need to give you to make you? If you want a preview, check out “Can’t Sleep”, “Wishing It Was You”, or my favorite, “The Cops”. 
tickets: http://www.larimerlounge.com/event_details.cfm?blogid=1901

If you have a thing for LOCALS ONLY: The Bluebird Disctrict Music Festival

When: July 10 - 12th.
When: All Day Err Day

In it’s inaugural year, The Bluebird District Music Festival already seems to be a promising new festival rising out of the East Colfax chunk of Denver. Featuring some of our favorite locals acts like Reno Divorce, Synthetic Elements, Dirty Few, and A. Tom Collins, this festival is a great, small scale festival truly celebrating some of Denver’s best. With show happening at The Bluebird Theatre, Goosetown Tavern, Southside Bar & Kitchen, Lost Lake Lounge and Park House, easy shows with great food and drinks are available all weekend long.
For more information: http://lost-lake.com/bdmf.cfm

Music | Bluebird District Music Festival: 5 Bands To Watch | July 10-12

Festival season is in full swing in our glorious state and this weekend the streets of East Colfax will play host to 3 days | 5 venues | 100+ bands. As with any festival it gives bands an opportunity to play in front of new fans that may have never seen them before. It is also an opportunity to see bands give one of those sets that people talk about for years. This will be the inaugural year for the first ever Bluebird District Music Festival and we have been doing our homework to give you the five bands to watch out for. Westword and Radio 1190 proudly present the inaugural Bluebird District Music Festival (BDMF) on July 10-12, 2015 in Denver’s historical Bluebird District on East Colfax. $30 three-day festival wristbands or $15 single day tickets can be purchased at www.bluebirddistrictmusicfestival.com, or at any of the official festival venues during the festival: Goosetown Tavern, Lost Lake, Park House, and Southside Kitchen & Bar. The full line-up is now available at www.bluebirddistrictmusicfestival.com. We want to offer our loyal readers and followers an opportunity at discounted tickets by using the discount code is good for $10 off a 3-day pass. Discount code: BDMF2015

A community-focused event, BDMF will highlight the bands, venues, restaurants and businesses that make East Colfax one of Denver’s most exciting music districts.

The exponential rise of new business over the past five years has reinvigorated East Colfax, and BDMF welcomes locals to explore and celebrate this premier entertainment destination with three days of live music. Tipping its hat to the neighborhood, BDMF will incorporate the 7th Annual Tasty Colfax restaurant crawl on Thursday, July 9th as a culinary-crafted kickoff to the festival weekend.
 

Photo Credit: Andrew Rios

Rowdy Shadehouse | Saturday, July 10th | Goosetown Tavern | 9:00-9:50 PM

Quite possibly one of the craziest bands you will ever see live. Raucous music accompanied by complementing offensive antics. You will leave this show with three things, you will be offended, you will witness grown men dry humping each other, and you will get to see a band that lays it all out for a damn good time. So in other words do us a favor and make sure you have a prime spot up front for this set.

Photo Credit: Robert Castro

Champagne Charlie | Sunday, July 12th | Lost Lake Lounge |10:00-10:40 PM

We have had a chance to see these guys on a few occasions and are always left in awe. They were one of the best bands we saw at this years Westword Music Showcase. The band describes themselves and we quote;

"Champagne Charlie combines elements of Jazz, Blues, Waltz, Dark Folk and Punk Rock to create their own musical gumbo. While the band plays a drinking man’s music, Ryan “Peepers” King sings with the gravelly delight of a parched throat encased in a sailor’s bones about love, loss, damnation, and a lack of forgiveness". 

Take our word for it mark this on your schedule.

Photo Credit: Andrew Rios

Edison | Sunday, July 12th | Lost Lake Lounge | 7:00-7:40 PM

A band that we have had the opportunity to cover on a few occasions. The always lovely Sarah Slaton captures your attention with her angelic voice backed up with some of Denver's finest musicians including Dustin Morris, Chris Cash, and Maxwell Hughes. These guys have been up in the mountains the last few weeks writing beautiful music, heres hoping we get to hear a few new tunes. In the meantime be sure to check out their Ghost EP.

Photo from Rossonian Facebook

Rossonian | Friday, July 10th | Lost Lake Lounge | 9:00-9:40 PM

This band landed in our lap earlier this summer and we had a chance to review their new record (Check it out here). With a prime slot on Friday night we are expecting the rest of Denver to check these guys out. If their record translates to an equally performed live set we cannot wait. Take a listen to the single "Late Kids", below.

Press Photo Greater Than Collective

A. Tom Collins | Friday, July 10th | Lost Lake Lounge | 12:30-2:00 AM

Another Denver staple and amazing live band you must catch is Denver's own A. Tom Collins. We hate putting labels on a bands specific genre, but these guys come at you with a full blown hoe-down style mix of jazzy horns and good ol' American to satisfy your dancing souls. They wrap things up Friday night and quite ultimately will set the bar for a great weekend of music.