This past weekend the streets of South Broadway played host to one of the best up and coming music festivals in the country. The Underground Music Showcase was a music lovers paradise, with more than 400+ bands taking residency along the Baker District. This budding festival has grown tremendously over the last few years playing host to many of Denver's best national acts as well as some pretty big name national acts. This year was no different, with record crowds packing venues all along Broadway we had a chance to take in some amazing music.

This year also played host to a few unofficial UMS parties, giving it that true festival vibe often associated with the likes of CMJ and SXSW. A big shout-out to the whole UMS staff (Kendall Smith, Will Dupree, James Irvine), Open Air CPR, Illegal Pete's(for keeping us fed with your delicious food), and Breckenridge Brewery(for keeping us hydrated).

This festival is emerging every year and continues to grow. This was our third year covering and possibly the best so far. We expect big things going forward and we are fortunate to be able to cover the amazing musicians who graced us all four days.

We wanted to focus our photos this year on the emotional element of the festival and came away with some awesome shots. (Photo Credits: Robert Castro, Matt Smith and Maddie Casey)

Here is our Top 5 performances from the weekend also. 

Robert Castro//Managing Editor

1. Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats | The Banana Stand

2. The Photo Atlas | The Skylark Lounge

3. Cults | Goodwill Main Stage

4. BLKHRTS | Blue Ice

5. Flashbulb Fires | Illegal Pete's

Matt Smith//Photographer

1. Two Tone Wolf Pack | The Hornet

2. The Photo Atlas | The Skylark Lounge

3. The Yawpers | Illegal Pete's

4. Attic Attack | The Skylark Lounge

5. MF Ruckus | The Irish Rover

Autumn Coleman// Staff Writer

1. SWIMM | Ilegal Pete's

2. Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweat | The Banana Stand

3. Tennis | The Banana Stand

4. SHEL | Goodwill Main Stage

5. Cults | Goodwill Main Stage

Maddie Casey//Staff Writer&Photographer

1. In The Whale | Hi-Dive

2. SHEL | Goodwill Main Stage

3. Dirty Femmes feat Gordon Gano of Violent Femmes | Punch Bowl

4. The Foot | Illegal Pete's

5. Baywood | Goodwill Main Stage