Bop Skizzum

New Denver shows: Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson, Fall Out Boy and Warren Haynes

Brace yourself for the return of Fall Out Boy. The dudes are evidently back to save rock and roll. Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson, meanwhile, are teaming up for a co-headlining date at Fiddler's Green for the Honda Civic Tour, and Warren Hayes is set to collaborate with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra ... More >>

The St. Patrick's Day party list: Where to drink and get your green on in Denver this weekend

Get your rest. We officially start celebrating St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. The party kicks off with KTCL's Keggs & Eggs at LoDos, and it continues after the parade on Saturday at ShamRock & Roll, our massive party at the Viewhouse with Bop Skizzum, Rachel & the Kings, Calder's Revolvers and Monroe M ... More >>

The ten best concerts in Denver this weekend

SHAMROCK & ROLL @ VIEWHOUSE | SAT, 3/16/13 With St. Paddy's Day happening this weekend, there's a ton to do. If you're looking for something holiday-centric, you obviously have plenty of options. But you really can't do much better than our free show, Shamrock & Roll, at the Viewhouse tomorrow after ... More >>

Soccer moms of the world, unite: New Kids on the Block are coming to 1STBANK Center!

So this one summer before New Kids on the Block made all the girls (who are all middle aged moms now -- meditate on that for a minute) swoon like no other, the dudes did an in-store at the mall in Cheyenne. I was there. My best friend was a DJ at the station presenting the meet and greet, and so we ... More >>

Video: Dancers at Nerd Prom 2013 close the night with "Time of My Life"

It's official! With two -- count them, two -- Trekkie-filled, tomb-raiding, Spandex-clad parties behind its name, Bop Skizzum's Nerd Prom is now an annual event. On Saturday night, hordes of heroes and heroines flew to the Summit Music Hall and shook both the capes and bodies their mama gave them on ... More >>

10 things to do for $10 this weekend (7 free!), February 22-24

Winter is finally here (for the moment, anyway), but there's still plenty to do inside (and outside) in the Mile High City. From proms to late-night full moon-watching to adult skateboarding parties and more, we've rounded up the ten best events for this last weekend in February. And as a bonus, ove ... More >>

Nerds Rule

Photos: Prom Redux invited adults to re-live their high-school experience at the Oriental

If you had the chance to pull a Never Been Kissed -- to re-live your high-school prom and do it right this time -- would you? Dozens of Denverites did just that, albeit for charity, at the Oriental Theater's Arabian Nights-themed prom over the weekend. A portion of all tickets benefited the Prom Dre ... More >>

New shows: Lotus three nights at Boulder Theater, Crystal Castles at the Gothic and more

A perennial favorite in Colorado, Lotus is making its way back to the Centennial state for a trio of shows at the Boulder Theater, while Crystal Castles is set to return for a date at the Gothic Theatre and Anthrax tops the Metal Alliance tour, a stacked bill at the Summit Music Hall this April that ... More >>

The five best concerts this weekend

Welcome to the weekend! The fact that you're reading this right now means that we either all survived the end of the world, or we all misunderstood the Mayans and miscalculated the date of our supposed demise. Whatever the case, we're here, and it's the weekend -- and it's a holiday weekend at that. ... More >>

Andy Guerrero on hugging the First Lady and having his fauxhawk blessed by the Dalai Lama

Last Thursday, Andy Guerrero had the kind of moment most Obama supporters will only ever experience in dreams: He met First Lady Michelle Obama in the radiant, well-toned flesh. He was, in fact, hugged and caressed by her. Guerrero was among the 3,100 people who waited more than four hours to see Ob ... More >>

Backbeat's top five spins: This is what we're listening to this week. What's on your playlist?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it shouldn't be surprising to find that the most common (and mutually favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off ... More >>

The ten best concerts this weekend: October 5-7

Welcome to the weekend, amigos! Cold enough for you this morning? Yeah, we're feeling all sorts of brrrrrr over here. Only in Colorado can you go from eighty degrees to the thirties in the expanse of a couple of days. Alas, though, there's relief on the horizion, plenty of hot music this weekend to ... More >>

Bop Skizzum releases the infectious Coloradical at the Gothic

New shows: STS9 and String Cheese NYE runs, Fun. at 1STBANK, DeVotchKa and more

New Year's Eve is shaping up to be an epic night of shows, with the String Cheese Incident pulling into 1STBANK Center for a three-night NYE run (tickets on sale this Saturday, September 29), STS9 plays three shows at the Fillmore (tickets on sale Friday, September 28), and the Motet's Beginning of ... More >>

With Forty-Five...Plus One this Saturday, Alf from KTCL is giving his DJ set a whole new spin

Speaking of new ways of doing old things, our old pal Alf, the longtime host of KTCL's Locals Only show, is getting his Big Gig pre-game on this Saturday night by taking a very well worn activity and giving it a new -- wait for it -- spin. Uh-huh, see what we did there? Spin, as in records. Get it? ... More >>

(UPDATE) New Concerts: Skrillex vs Knife Party, Bob Dylan and Green Day at 1STBANK

A bunch of new shows this week. The two biggest of the bunch: Bob Dylan, whose new album, Tempest , hits the stores today, is coming to the 1STBANK Center for a two-night stand in late October, and Green Day, due for a date at the Broomfield venue in February. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, meanwhile, br ... More >>

Backbeat's five most listened-to songs and albums, week of September 5, 2012

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it shouldn't be too surprising to find that the most common (and our mutually favorite) topic of conversation among all of us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and boy, wouldn't you ... More >>

Ten best concerts in Colorado this weekend, Friday, August 24, through Sunday, August 26

Welcome to the weekend! If you haven't made plans yet, there's an unreal number of shows, from five different festivals to several CD release shows to old school hip-hop. Of course, we have them all listed in our massive concert calendar. If you're feeling industrious, print that bad boy out and bre ... More >>

New Denver Concerts: Bruce Springsteen, Waka Flocka Flame, Chevelle and more

See Also: - Gov't Mule two nights in September, Primus in November and more - The Who, New Order, the Script, Minus the Bear, Cursive lead this week's shows - Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Odd Future, Atmosphere and XX lead this week's shows - Afghan Whigs, Amanda Palmer, Aimee Mann and Seether lead t ... More >>

Colorado's ten best camping festivals

Colorado will see more camping music festivals this year than ever before, and we've compiled a comprehensive and organized list so you know which ones to attend, if you can't make them all. We've even rated them based on several very important factors from location, to price, to music. Take a gande ... More >>

Market Street Summerfest coming to LoDo next month

Beats on the Creek, outside Coohills tonight, isn't the only live music coming to LoDo this summer. The Market Street Summerfest, a free event, is coming to 20th and Market streets on Saturday, August 11. That's a corner that's home to El Chapultepec, the city's oldest jazz club and one of downtown ... More >>

Market Street Summerfest in LoDo with Tonic, Sister Hazel and more slated for August 11

The Market Street Summerfest, a free concert featuring Tonic and Sister Hazel and a cast of locals, including Bop Skizzum, the Swayback, Take to the Oars and Strange Americans, is coming to 20th and Market on Saturday, August 11. "Market Street by 20th has needed a fun event to bring new people to t ... More >>

2012 Westword Music Showcase schedule

Alright, it's here! Finally! The waiting is over! The eighteenth annual Westword Music Showcase. You've probably already printed it out, cut it out, copied and highlighted the schedule, but just in case you haven't, here's the most up-to-date version of today's lineup for the Showcase. All of the TB ... More >>

Our complete guide to the June 23 Westword Music Showcase

See also: Twelve types of Denver musicians

2012 Westword Music Showcase schedule

Okay, time to officially start getting excited now. The annual Westword Music Showcase is a little more than a week away. Did you pick up your tickets yet? If not, you can still get them at the discounted rate. Prices go up day of the show. By now, you've already seen the lineup of who's playing the ... More >>

Five noteworthy examples of how Kickstarter is helping make the local scene more vibrant

Amanda Palmer recently set the record for crowd-sourced fundraising among music-related projects -- a record once held by Five Iron Frenzy -- after the Kickstarter campaign to fund her new record raised $735,000 in about two weeks. The former Dresden Dolls frontwoman served up tickets, copies of the ... More >>

2012 Westword Music Showcase local lineup!

We're just over a month out from this year's Westword Music Showcase, and we've already let you know who we have headlining the mainstage this year -- but keep it locked on Backbeat for another big announcement this coming Monday. Now it's time for us to give up the goods on the local lineup. As you ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

Here's what's hot this week in music on the Front Range: On the concert front, new shows featuring Cypress Hill, the Fray, Kaskade and Mojo Nixon were announced; Lola Black, Fresh Breath Committee and the Autumn Film got spins on local radio; and recent albums from Bruce Springsteen, Andrew Bird, Fu ... More >>

Talk nerdy to me at Bop Skizzum's first annual Nerd Prom

Hey, all you super-squares, time to dig out that sparkly prom dress with the puffy sleeves and the ill-fitting leisure suit. Run to that dusty box in the closet to bust out the retainer, the horn-rimmed glasses and the D&D magic decoder ring. No room for hipsters here: This party has a strict geek g ... More >>

Della unplugs "We Found Love" by Rihanna

​In advance of their appearance at Bop Skizzum's upcoming Nerd Prom at the Gothic Theatre on Friday, February 10, Della took to YouTube last week with an acoustic rendition of "We Found Love" by Rihanna. The cover, driven purely by the strength of Amanda Hawkins's raw vocals, is a fun display ... More >>

Reader: Terminal Kings may be world-class, but where are world-class local artists?

Terminal Kings is taking off at City Hall, where three world-class street artists -- Sam Flores, David Choe and Highraff -- are creating giant murals that will be displayed at Denver International Airport over the next five years, as the South Terminal project gets under way. Over the next ten days ... More >>

DJ Z-Trip, Souls of Mischief and more at Terminal Kings Art Project at City Hall

While earlier rumors of DJ Z-Trip being in town at the end of January proved to be just that, it turns out that he will be in town this month after all -- just not at Red Rocks. Instead, he'll be performing at City Hall for the final night of partying for Terminal Kings, an art project sponsored by ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

​​Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: On the concert front, shows from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks featuring Atmosphere, Common, Greives Budo and Get Cryphy were announced; the Swayback, Fierce Bad Rabbit, Monroe Monroe and Juno What ... More >>

OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder enlists the Fray and other friends for a holiday concert at the Ogden

​Fresh off a stint entertaining the President and First Lady at the White House for the annual National Tree Lighting ceremony with Ellie Goulding and Kermit the Frog, OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder is back in the Mile High City and ready to ring in the holidays with us. And the dude comes bearing ... More >>

Listen to "Still Time," the first Bop Skizzum song featuring the act's new lead singer, Julie Almeria

Aimee Giese​Remember last month when we introduced you to Bop Skizzum's new singer, Julie Almeria? She made her live debut last month at Cervantes' when Skizzum warmed up for Fishbone. Shortly after that gig, the band was slated to head up to the Blasting Room to record some of the new materia ... More >>

Bop Skizzum's new singer Julie Almeria making her debut tonight at Cervantes' with Fishbone

Meet Julie Almeria, the new voice of Bop Skizzum​Bop Skizzum has finally named its new lead singer, and she's making her live debut tonight at Cervantes' when the band shares a bill with the legends of Fishbone. Last month we confirmed that the group had indeed found a replacement for the then ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: On the concert front, December shows by Beats Antique and Pretty Lights were announced. On local radio specialty shows, Veronica, Vices I Admire, INCA and Hazel Miller all got some spins. Meanwhile, at our local record stores, new and re ... More >>

Bowling for Dollars

Bop Skizzum settles on new lead singer to replace the departing Erin Jo Harris

​For the past few months, Bop Skizzum has been quietly searching for a replacement for Erin Jo Harris, the band's vocalist, who is departing the group to pursue other projects. While we imagine the prospect had to have been a bit daunting given Harris's considerable voice and presence, the ban ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

​Here's what's happening in music on the Front Range this week: On the concert front, shows from Dierks Bentley, Mickey Hart Band and Dirty Nasty were announced. On local radio specialty shows, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, The Congress and The Epiloguesall got some spins. Meanwhile, at our local ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Denver/Boulder area concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week: A pair of new October dates have Smashing Pumpkins at the Ogden and Bush at the 1STBANK Center, with Chevelle and Filter, while November brings Tedeschi Trucks Band to the Fillmore. On local radio, Air Dubai, Le Divorce, Bop Skizzum and Signal Path ... More >>

Mile Highlights: This week's concert news, local radio playlists and top album sales

We're blessed to be living in the best city in America.Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week: In October, St. Vincent is due at the Boulder Theater, followed by DeVotchKa who also appear there later in the month, as well as the Ogden, and Why? at the Gothic Theater. On local radio, Bop ... More >>

Colorado beer calendar: Summer Brew Fest, Kyle's Brew Fest, Firestone Walker's debut

​Denver's Del Norte Brewing, which specializes in summer-friendly Mexican-style lagers, is looking for help coming up with a Spanish-language name for its latest beer (its sixth), a Bohemian Pilsner. "We have a few in mind, but are always up for some suggestions," the company says on its Face ... More >>

Colorado beer calendar: Copper Kettle, Star Bar, Hops & Pie have cool times for the summer heat

FacebookCopper Kettle brews.​I'm hitting the highway soon for a little Colorado summer road trip. But before I pack the tent, the beef jerky, the CDs or even the cooler, I'm stashing my copy of The Beer Drinker's Guide to Colorado map (fifth edition!) above the sun visor. This awesome fold-ou ... More >>

Colorado beer calendar: Beer Culture the Movie screens; Breckenridge Brewing turns 21

​Every time I think that there can't possibly be enough room in the market for another brewery in Denver, I step into a packed tap room and I change my mind. In fact, it's so difficult to get a seat sometimes at places like Great Divide and Dry Dock, that both places could probably double in s ... More >>

Elway's kicks off summer music series this week

​Elway's (2500 East First Avenue) just kicked off its seventh annual summer music series, which runs every Wednesday through August 21. The outdoor shows, held in the courtyard behind the restaurant, usually attract some decent-sized crowds. This year, the lineup includes a number of original ... More >>

Hard Rock Cafe's 40th Anniversary Memorbilia Tour hits Denver next week

​Hard Rock Cafe's 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour bus will be outside the Denver location at 500 16th Street for one day only on Wednesday, June 29, from noon to 7 p.m. The exhibit includes the top forty most iconic pieces of music memorabilia from Hard Rock's collection, including Buddy Hol ... More >>

Westword Music Showcase schedule updates

All right Showcase is finally here. You excited? We are. If you're on your way or just getting here, there's a couple of programming changes we wanted to make you aware of that are different from the printed pocket guides and the downloadable PDFs. Most notably, over at City Hall, Bop Skizzum and Ai ... More >>

Westword Music Showcase 2011

The Westword Music Showcase celebrates seventeen years, a lifetime for some of 2011's performers