In any city with a vibrant music scene, there is a cornucopia of monthly events catering to various tastes. Denver is no different, and while many more monthly events could have been included in this list, here are thirteen of the best going down every month in 2017.
The Black Out With Reed Wolf
Second Wednesdays
3 Kings
Hosted by Reed Bruemmer – formerly of Speedwolf and currently fronting Poison Rites — this free DJ night spotlights vinyl 45s of all punk and rock and roll. Wash down the music with $2 PBRs and enjoy free records from Wax Trax while supplies last.
Deep Club Residents
Third Fridays
Bar Standard
For four years, Deep Club has hosted some of the most interesting after-hours events in the city. This monthly party showcases the label's resident artists and guests, providing a consistently high-quality night of underground electronic dance music.
Denver Avant-Garde Music Society Solos and Duos
Third Mondays
Syntax Physic Opera
Hosted by members of Animal / object, this is essentially an open-mic night catering to musically adventurous types. These events become the most fascinating musical improv sessions in town when Kurt Bauer and company encourage impromptu match-ups of attendees.
Denver Vintage Reggae Society
Second Saturdays
Goosetown
This long-running party hosted by Westword contributor Tony White is the place in the Mile High City to check out ’60s and ’70s reggae. And it's free!
Dirty//Clean
Third Thursdays
Black Box
Produced by the label of the same name, Dirty//Clean's monthly event encourages electronic artists to “strive to push the bar, creating music with global sensibilities and fluid dance-floor aesthetics.” Expect to find some of the most forward-thinking yet accessible electronic music in town on this night, including the likes of Snubluck, Gunkst and Lemon Future.
Funk Club
Third Fridays
Syntax Physic Opera
Affiliated with Mile High Soul Club, Funk Club is a monthly ’70s funk dance party led by Westword contributor and award-winning science-fiction author DJ Jason Heller.
Read on for more of Denver's best monthly nights.
The NightShift
Second Thursdays
Meadowlark
Hosted by DJs Short Pants and Poussez, the NightShift is a monthly dance party that showcases live music from some of the most interesting local artists and underground touring acts. Guest DJs like Shannon Kelly and Jello Biafra (of Dead Kennedys fame) bring their unique taste in music to the Nightshift.
Nocturnal Residents
First Friday
Black Box
The Nocturnal collective has brought spectacular national and international electronic artists to Denver for the past few years. This monthly residency gives the group the chance to showcase resident artists and other guest producers from Denver and beyond.
Outrun
Second Saturdays
Milk's Green Room
With DJ Tower and Jay Eric at the helm, Outrun boasts being the only all-synthwave night in Denver. You will hear classic synth artists that managed to take the instrument out of academia and into the popular imagination, as well as their modern-day equivalents: Fad Gadget, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Drab Majesty, M83 and the like.
Textures
Final Sundays
Mutiny
Colorado has a surprisingly rich ambient-music scene. Wesley Davis, who runs Textures, has booked different artists every month and proven not just his broad taste, but also the diversity of Colorado's ambient-music world.
Wake the Dead
Third Fridays
Milk
Focusing on goth and death rock, Wake the Dead claims it's the only all-goth night in Denver. Hosts Mr. & Mrs. HoodBats and DJ JunkYard pledge to “keep you dancing into your grave.” But, really, they just bring legit goth music to the night.
Weird Touch
Last Saturdays
Syntax
An all-vinyl dark-disco, indie-dance and weird-house dance night, Weird Touch benefits from the diverse and left-field tastes of hosts Tyler Snow, Matt Brown and Shannon Kelly.
Weird Wednesdays
First Wednesdays
3 Kings
Underground music champion Claudia Woodman shines a light on some of the most original and unusal local and touring acts during Weird Wednesdays at 3 Kings, where those artists play on a better sound system than that of most other venues where they perform.