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. 

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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

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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

FUN. w/Tegan and Sara | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | August 22

Red Rocks Amphitheatre was the place to be on Wednesday night for any indie loving, dance crazy fans of Tegan and Sara and headliners Fun. The "Most Nights" Summer Tour made it's way to Morrison for two nights, we had a chance to catch night one.

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Tegan And Sara warming up the sold-out crowd. (Photo Credit: Matt Smith)

Tegan And Sara opened up the festivities on a perfect night. Riding the wave of their current album "Hearthtrob," they entertained the sing-a-long crowd with favorites like "Closer", and "I Was a Fool". The Canadian duo went back and forth exchanging verses throughout their well received setlist. Fresh off a cameo appearance the night before with Taylor Swift they kept the enrgy buzzing as the nights headliners prepared to take the stage.

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Tegan or Sara...(Photo Credit: Matt Smith)

As the lights dimmed and the glowing ambiance reflected off Creation Rock and Ship Rock, the opening chords of "Some Nights" (Intro) began to fill the sold out amphitheater. Blinding panels displaying a variety of images filled the backdrop as the indie outfit danced and pranced across the vastly open stage singing hits such as "Some Nights", "We Are Young", and even a cover of The Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want". The animated Nate Ruess used his patented showmanship to bring life to each and every song flanked by guitarist Jack Antonoff and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Dost. 

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fun. (Photo Credit: Matt Smith)

Fun.: The Ogden Theatre: 4/5: Review

What better way to spend a Thursday evening than to head over to The Ogden for a little Fun. I’m going to try and keep the “no pun intended” jokes to a minimum.  A sold out crowd managed to fill every square inch of the venue for current buzz band and indie darlings Fun.  With a backing stage displaying the three simple letters, Denver was ready for a high-energy show.  Fun. is the current project from former member of The Format Nate Ruess as well as members of Anathallo and Steel Train.  Although billed as a threesome a drummer and bassist accompany them on this tour. 

Fun is a band that goes against the norm, in fact in the few years I have been covering music I have never seen a band come out wearing their own merchandise, it felt a little out of place to be honest.  Not to take away from their musical showmanship as Nate Ruess covered every inch of the stage singing and dancing to the crowds delight. The front row made of scantily clad teenagers fed of the energy, even holding up signs that said “Nate Marry Me”.  They opened their set with “Some Nights”; the crowd erupted into frenzy, by far a rousing number to kick off the night’s festivities. They managed to play hits off their radio friendly album Some Nights during their set and it was during “We Are Young “ that the whole crowd traded verse for verse the lyrics to the indie-pop anthem.  They even managed to give us a cover of their take on a Rolling Stones hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”.  Whatever it is that fun. is conjuring up seems to be working as they continue to sell out cities on their current tour.  With a few summer festivals coming up, their name will continue to carry over into the coming months as they continue to ride their current wave of success.

Setlist:

Some Nights|Walking the Dog|Why Am I the One|All Alone|All the Pretty Girls|Barlights|Carry On|The Gambler|Be Calm|At Least I’m Not as Sad (As I Used to Be)|We Are Young|You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones Cover)|One Foot|Take Your Time (Coming Home)

Castro

Fun. We Are Young (Alvin Risk Remix)

With a week of musical bliss upon me starting with Radiohead tomorrow and SXSW the rest of the week I thought I would share this little gem by Fun. (who I get to see upon arrival to Austin on Wednesday) before I left.

-Castro