March 2018 | Denver's Most Highly Anticipated Shows

compiled by Meesh Deyden for the masses

Lorde photographed in 2014 by Ultra5280 Editor in Chief, Robert Castro 

Lorde photographed in 2014 by Ultra5280 Editor in Chief, Robert Castro 

Mon 3/5 Lorde at Pepsi Center with Run the Jewels

Following her Grammy snub and a string of heartfelt and righteous comebacks, Lorde's North American leg of her Melodrama tour finds an equally fierce (if not more so) ally in openers, Run the Jewels. You may recall Killer Mike's moving speech at a music venue in St Louis, Missouri just a half hour after the Ferguson grand jury decided to not indict officers involved in the killing of Mike Brown. Unsurprising to fans, both acts are heralded for making emotionally and politically astute music that makes you wanna dance h a r d. To sweeten the deal, the seemingly disparate pair just released a remix of Lorde's "Supercut" featuring verses by Killer Mike.

Tix: At the time of publication, tickets are still available! // Pro-Tip: The Pepsi Center powers that be have ordered bartenders to stop serving about 3/4 through the show, so plan ahead for optimal buzz. 

Sat 3/10 Lucius at Boulder Theater

When you move to Brooklyn to embark on your music career and move into a house that turns out to have been a music school and a recording studio, it seems destiny may be working an angle. Since the release of their 2012 EP, Lucius-- led by Berklee School alums Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig-- have toured with Jack White, had their song "Two of Us on the Run" streamed 30+ million times, garnered top nods from NPR & NY Times for their 2014 album, Wildewoman, and snagged a gig singing back up for the legendary Roger Waters. Instead of amping up the production after all this, Lucius is returning to the basics, releasing Nudes, an album of acoustic tracks coming this spring. 

Tix: SOLD OUT // Pro-Tip: Take the bus from Union Station aka don't be a drunk idiot. But if you are drunk and have a case of the drunchies, the Taco Bell next to the theatre will be your best friend.

Sun 3/11 George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at Ogden 

George Clinton and P. Funk recently released a track (see video above) that is the 1st song under the Parliament name since the 80s. That's decades w/o an official new P Funk groove! "I'm Gon Make U Sick O'Me" is part of Medicaid Fraud Dog, an album that Clinton says will feature "P-Funk horn players Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Greg Thomas, and Benny Cowan." So if you missed their private show for Outdoor Retailer at Broadway's Temple in February, you can still grab tickets to their Ogden show. 

Tix: $32 // Pro-Tip: Get funky before the show at the funkiest joint on the block-- Sancho's of course. 

Fri 3/16 Portugal the Man at MCA

Turns out that Portugal the Man is pretty tight with current MCA exhibited artist, Cleon Peterson. The recent Grammy winners will be playing a private show at the museum for some lucky fans, and all ya gotta do to get a ticket (really, the only way to get a ticket) is give 'em the ole razzle dazzle, social media style. For full entry rules click here

Tix: see rules for entry here // Pro-Tip: If you have time before or after the set, check out the exhibit in the basement-- it's a video collage matched up to Kanye's "Ultralight Beam" by renowned artist Arthur Jafa!

Tu 3/20 Kinky Fingers at Lion's Lair with Acid Tongue, Ancient Elk

Yo! Surf rock babes, Kinky Fingers, are ridin the wave these days with their latest release, Garbage Plate, hittin the streets and an upcoming Treefort Fest slot! They've been playing a bunch of shows around town, but we're particularly excited for their March gig at our beloved Lion's Lair! Doors are at 8:30 and we suggest getting there in time to check out some stellar opening acts! 

Tix: $8 // Pro-Tip: Lion's Lair is one of our fave classic Colfax dives, so treat it with respect, damnit! And by respect we mean: bring cash, tip your bartender, cheer on the bands, and if you wanna talk during a set, don't do it right by the stage, ya twerp. 

Portugal. The Man Celebrate New Album With Two Back To Back Performances In Denver

John Gourley of Portugal. the Man (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

New music Fridays gave us the highly anticipated album from Portland (by way of Alaska) indie darlings Portugal. The Man. What better way to celebrate than by hosting two shows in our amazing city. The first more intimate show took place on Saturday at The Bluebird Theater (probably not as cozy as their Larimer show a few years ago) with the second of two taking place at Red Rocks. We had a chance to check out the show at Red Rocks with amazing opening performances from Car Seat Head Rest (although their set was cut to 5-6 songs), Local Natives who captured the crowds energy right off the bat with songs from their newest album. The mood was set for John Gourley and company as the lights went dark and the Righteous Brother's "Unchained Melody" blared as the band began to settle in.

Opening with a cover of Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls", into their customary mash up of "Another Brick In The Wall/Purple. Yellow, Red and Blue", the band tore through an almost two hour set of  classics such as "Modern Jesus", "So American" and encore "Atomic Man". Throw in a cover of Oasis's "Don't Look Back At Anger" which highlighted the famous falsetto of John Gourley to give it a new dimensionThe show was highlighted heavily by material off their new album that just dropped Friday Woodstock. The radio friendly and early nominee for catchiest song of the summer "Feel The Still" went over pretty well with the 9,500 plus in attendance. The two night Denver stay proved to be worthy for a band that reminded us all of why Red Rocks is the best venue in the world.

Words and photos: Robert Castro

FMQB Triple A Conference Announces Lineup And Ticket Information

Z2 Entertainment, in proud partnership with FMQB and 97.3 KBCO, is thrilled to announce the 2017 Fox Theatre and FMQB Free Outdoor Stage lineup for the FMQB Triple A Conference. Performances take place August 8th through August 11th. Full lineup is listed below.

FOX THEATRE PERFORMANCES
FUTURE ISLANDS, THE LONE BELLOW, MONDO COZMO - Wednesday, August 9th
SPOON, FOXYGEN, RON GALLO - Thursday, August 10th
PORTUGAL. THE MAN, LP, THE SHELTERS - Friday, August 11th

FMQB FREE OUTDOOR STAGE
BAHAMAS / CURRENT SWELL - Wednesday, August 9th
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE / THE BAND OF HEATHENS - Thursday, August 10th COLONY HOUSE / MARLON WILLIAMS - Friday, August 11th

About FMQB Triple A Conference As a renowned contributor to the music and radio industry, FMQB (Friday Morning Quarterback) is pleased to place the country’s best Triple A format talent in front of industry decision makers in an attempt to decide the climate of this year’s radio play lists. Join us for three nights of some of the top artists being played on Triple A radio stations. For more information about FMQB, visit http://www.fmqb.com

How to Get Tickets

97.3 KBCO and Fox Theatre email subscribers will have access to a limited number of pre-sale tickets beginning Thursday, June 22nd at 10:00 A.M. All other remaining tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, June 23rd at 10:00 A.M. Tickets available at Boulder Theater Box Office, by phone at (303)-786-7030 or online at http://www.foxtheatre.com. 

Ultraversary 7 Artist Spotlight: South of France

Local talent duo, South of France is quickly making a name for themselves within Denver’s emerging indie-pop scene. Their dream pop undercurrents and sweet his and hers lyrics make for a familiar yet surprisingly fresh performance. The band was formed when intstrumentalist/producer/songwriter Jeff Cormack met singer/songwriter Kelly Lueke in Los Angeles back in 2012. Since then they’ve been able to share the stage with greats like Portugal. The Man and The Flaming Lips and as of this Saturday, local heroes Ultra5280!

South of France has been on our “Must See Acts at UMS” list for the past few years and it only made sense to ask them to be a part of our debut into the Colorado festival scene. (Coachella ain’t got nothing on our lineup – looking at you special guest DJ Tobias Krause).

South of France captures the art of the duet without the kitchiness that duos sometimes come with. Their melodies are dancey and rhythmic while their lyrics embody real emotion and experiences. We are honored to have them hail from our beloved town of Denver and even more honored to share the stage with them this weekend.

3 day wristbands are on sale now!