Ultra5280's Best Shows of 2014

We love you Denver. From your local talent to your local beer, you've treated us well and we couldn't be more proud of the city you've become. 2014 was a great year for your humble Ultra team, we were able to travel, meet Usher and cover more shows than ever before. In fact, 2014 brought upon a new record of shows covered for us. Reaching from Austin to Denver, we managed to catch over 250 plus shows. Including music festivals from The UMS, Austin City Limits, Westword Music Showcase, and SXSW, this year saw us cover more ground than ever before. It was a challenge narrowing down some of our best shows (and quite nostalgic...). From secret shows to intimate acoustic shows to rooftop sets, 2014 will go down as the best year we have had a chance to cover music. We asked our staff to name their best! Here are The Best Shows of 2014!

Robert Castro | Managing Editor

1. Portugal.The Man | Larimer Lounge | August 20, 2014

2. Arctic Monkeys | Red Rocks | September 4, 2014

3. Outkast | Fiddler's Green | August 22, 2014

4. St. Vincent | Austin City Limits | October 9, 2014

5. Sylvan Esso | Hi-Dive | August 30, 2014


Matt Smith | Photographer

1. Grouplove and Portugal.The Man | Red Rocks | August 21, 2014

2. Alt-J | The Fillmore | October 28, 2014

3. Bleachers | The Bluebird | November 13, 2014

4. Saves The Day and Say Anything | The Ogden | December 13, 2014

5. Thievery Corporation and Tycho | Red Rocks | June 13, 2014


Maddie Casey | Music Editor

1. Jimmy Eat World “Futures” 10yr tour | The Ogden | October 7, 2014

2. twenty | one | pilots | The Ogden | May 16, 2014

3. Riot Fest: In one weekend we saw The Cure, Weezer’s “Blue Album” front to back, In The Whale Take their pants off on stage, and Wu Tang Clan. Safe to say it was amazing for all. (September 19-21st)

4. Phantogram’s Rooftop Set at SXSW | March 12, 2014

5. Lorde | Firstbank Center | September 28, 2014


Mcclain Morris | Lifestyle Editor

1. Portugal.The Man | Larimer Lounge | August 20, 2014

2. Alt-J | The Fillmore | October 28, 2014

3. Shakey Graves | Illegal Pete's South Broadway | December 13, 2014

4. A. Tom Collins at Westword when A. Tom stole a case of wine and went on a drunken rampage about Denver being the best

5. Glass Animals | Larimer Lounge | September 25, 2014