7 Must See Acts: UMS 2023

As we embark on our 13th Underground Music Showcase’s an outlet, we wanted to celebrate the amazing Denver community and its vibrant music scene for allowing to capture and cover some amazing bands from the last decade.

Every year we scour our lineups and schedules to make a list of our top ten acts we recommend. While each year has its challenges, it also allows us to share bands some of you may not be familiar with.

Without further adieu…..

Seven Must See Acts


Spill Tab

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 6:35-7:20 PM

Welcome to the world of Spill Tab, where musical boundaries are shattered, emotions run wild, and acoustic landscapes transport you to another dimension. With a unique blend of haunting melodies, soul-stirring lyrics, and ethereal vocals, Spill Tab offers a transformative acoustic experience that leaves audiences captivated and craving more.

Led by the enigmatic and immensely talented artist Spill Tab, this musical project invites listeners to embark on a journey through the vast depths of human emotions. Drawing from personal experiences and introspection, Spill Tab's music serves as a cathartic outlet, resonating with anyone who has ever felt lost, vulnerable, or overwhelmed.

Incorporating elements from various genres like indie-folk, dream pop, and alternative rock, Spill Tab weaves a sonic tapestry that is profoundly intimate yet universally relatable. Each song tells a story, inviting you into a world where heartaches and triumphs merge to create something truly extraordinary. The lyrics delve deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, pain, self-discovery, and the complexities of the human condition.


Air Dubai

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 4:25-5:10 PM


Air Dubai is an American alternative hip-hop band formed in 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The band consist of five talented individuals who came together with a shared passion for music and an unwavering desire to create something unique and unforgettable. Combining elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop, Air Dubai quickly gained recognition for their energetic live performances and diverse sound.

Air Dubai disbanded in 2016, leaving behind a remarkable catalog of music that continues to inspire and captivate fans worldwide. Their legacy lives on through their unique fusion of genres, thought-provoking lyrics, and unforgettable live performances. Some of you may remember their reunion show during our 5th anniversary party at Pearls.

Air Dubai's influence can be seen in the countless artists that followed, incorporating elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop in their own work. Their ability to push musical boundaries and stay true to their artistic vision. Excited to see the band back together for this year, we could not be more excited.


Levi Double U

Oasis Stage | Friday, July 28th | 4:50-5:40 PM

Levi Double U, the incredible musical prodigy, is making waves in the music industry with his extraordinary talent and unique style. Levi's passion for music has been instrumental in various projects he has been part of. His ability to effortlessly switch and adapt to his music projects gives us a hint of his musical knowledge. His dj sets are always consistent with house bangers and carefully orchestrated dance floor starters. Wether its playing drums for Neoma or making us shake our ass to to his DJ moniker Levi Double U, he is a must see this week.


ROOTBEER RICHIE AND THE REVEILLE

UMS House | Friday, July 28th | 11:59-12:45 AM

We first came across this band a few years ago as our last act at UMS on a hot, sweaty, Sunday night at The Hi Dive. Our lives haven’t been the same since. A fusion of all the genres we love, the band manages to pull off a set inducing dance party with all kinds of elements at its disposal. From horns to infectious anthem cries, this band will steal the show this year, we guarantee it. Be ready to dance, be ready to sweat and be ready to talk about it the next day!


Virgi Dart

HQ Denver | Sunday, July 30th | 6:00-6:45 PM

In Colombia Virgi's musical prowess has afforded her the opportunity to perform on the most important + grand stages in her hometown, Cali, along with many respected venues throughout her home country. Prior to moving to the US, Virgi headlined at the most prolific disco group in Colombia for six years, granting her access to performances with some of the most well-respected artists in Latin America.

Virgi is excited to bring her professionalism, talent, and commanding stage presence to her newfound home in Colorado and in venues across the US. She looks forward to continuing to honor her influences of pop-rock/Latin music while delivering memorable performances for her crowds. Virgi recently released her first album, a versatile EP with 6 songs where the audience will be delighted with pop music, cumbia, bachata and electro-pop as well as a beautiful ballad with a symphonic orchestra.

She is currently working on the recording of her second album, she is also releasing music videos and performing throughout the US, Mexico and Colombia.


King Isis

Underground Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 5:40-6:15 PM

Born and raised in the cultural hub of Oakland, CA, King Isis shifts shapes and fuses sounds ranging from rock and R&B to jazz and blues, sweeping through pain, growth, and transformation.

Music has been in King Isis' blood for generations. They were taught on the piano of their great-great-grandmother Omega King, one of the first Black opera singers in Chicago. King Isis’ artist moniker pays reverence to Omega’s legacy of pursuing her passion of art and creation in segregated, post-slavery America. “Her name holds a lot of power in my house and in my family,” Isis reflects, “A big part of the reason my artist name incorporates hers is to remind me that there is power in my voice, that music has always been a deep-rooted part of me, and to keep going.”


Ogi

Underground Stage | Saturday, July 29th | 9:00-9:40 PM

Our voices indicate how we feel. Joy, sadness, trepidation, and truth filter through the tone and timbre. For as pensive and reserved as Ogi may be in everyday life, the Los Angeles-based Nigerian American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist speaks her mind when she sings. After captivating audiences on social media and earning the endorsement and support of iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning producer No I.D. [JAY-Z, John Mayer, Kanye West], she expresses who she is through every note on a series of singles and her 2022 debut.

The 2023 Underground Music Showcase Lineup Announcement

The lineup for this years Underground Music Showcase has arrived. The annual gathering of music is set to take place once again along South Broadway to the tune of some of the best local and national acts. Our favorite weekend of the year boasts headliners Jamila Woods, Emmit Fenn, Crumb and more. Tickets are available now by clicking link below.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Dua Lipa Shines On Her Future Nostalgia Tour In Denver

Dua Lipa performing during her sold out show at Ball Arena. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The last time we saw Dua Lipa she was playing a sold out show at The Fillmore in 2018. Since then Lipa has exploded onto the scene holding the throne as the queen of pop (a title that can be argued for many other artist). What makes Lipa unique is the way she carries herself on and off the stage. A performer who engages with fans and is thoroughly invested with them. On stage it’s her no hold barred approach and relentless work ethic that made for one of the most memorable shows we have ever got to witness. In support of her current album Future Nostalgia she brought along some friends to open for her on tour. First up was a well received set by former indie-outfit Chairlift Caroline Polachek. It was a sort of homecoming for Polachek who attended nearby University of Colorado back in the day. Her pop-friendly set was a perfect warm up for this tour.

Lipa gets Physical during her opening number on the Future Nostalgia Tour. Photo Credit: Robert Castro

The crowd began to feel electric as the next opener could have easily sold out the arena herself. Although we are at the tail end of winter, it was “hot girl summer” on stage as none other than Megan Thee Stallion took command and did not let up during her short stint. From beginning to end it was an all out twerkfest as Megan played all her dance inducing hits with no remorse. It won’t be long before Megan is heading her own arena tour soon.

It was time for the main event, adorned by a large LED monitor reflecting images to compliment her tour aesthetic Lipa introduced her dancers on the screen with a superhero intro. As she appeared with opening number “Physical” the deafening screams began for the night (they did not stop). Adorned in a yellow one-piece jumpsuit, Lipa made each song come to life with carefully orchestrated choreography that we have not seen in a long time. Each song told a story and made everybody dance non-stop as she ripped through her catalog of hits. The production on this tour is a visual delight with costume changes, dancers, images and more. Most people take short breaks during songs as the altitude in Denver is notorious for making you catch your breath, it did not seem to effect Lipa at all. Notable hits included “Levitating”, “One Kiss”, “Don’t Start Now”.

It was a great night for music and celebration, a small dose of what we all have been yearning for the last two years during a pandemic.

Words and Images: Robert Castro

Kacey Musgraves Brings Her Star-Crossed: Unveiled Tour To Ball Arena

Kacey Musgraves performs in front of a burning heart. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

It’s always amazing when you see an artist visit your city and the progression they make year after year. It feels like only yesterday we were seeing Kacey Musgraves play a rather intimate show at The Bluebird. She followed that up with another performance on her Oh What a World: Tour at The Paramount in 2019. She later graced us agin later that year at the Mecca of live music Red Rocks with a sold out performance. Last week she was back, this time in support of her Star-Crossed: Unveiled Tour at Ball Arena.

Musgraves has always been a fan of the Mile High City often raving about our legal marijuana perks. Often initiating crowd banter about the recreational drug. In fact she had an off-day during her visit in which she told us about visiting mentor Willie Nelson’s dispensary. According to her Instagram she also stopped at Adrift for Tiki cocktails as well as her rave review of Lo-Hi’s El Five restaurant.

This years tour production consisted of a heart shaped main stage flanked by retro theater curtains giving off a rather cozy-warm vibe. In fact during her opening number a flaming her adorned the stage as she belted away the lyrics to title track star crossed. The multi Grammy award winner tore through her catalog with conviction and a sense of vulnerability that brought each song to life and tugged at the heartstrings. Fans adorned in customary cowboy attire graced the arena belting away and singing each song word for word. Fan favorites included “Golden Hour”, “Butterflies”, and “breadwinner”. She played a game of Kacey-oke in which she has the fans vote for a cover song, in this case it was “Scrubs” by TLC that Brough the fans to their feet.

Musgraves even showed her range in singing Spanish ballad “Gracias A La Vida” the Chilean folk song by Violetta Parra. She wrapped up the evening with a two song encore that included “Slow Burn” and “Rainbows”. One thing is for certain Musgraves has established herself a nice fanbase here in Colorado and we are all hoping she makes it a staple of stops on her future tours.

Words and Images: Robert Castro

Black Pumas | Mission Ballroom | August 12, 2021