Indie Rock and Indie Pop

New Denver shows: Phoenix, Five Iron Frenzy, Channel 93.3 Big Gig with Lumineers and more

Another solid batch of new shows going on sale this weekend, including Phoenix, who's coming to the Rocks with Dinosaur Jr., Five Iron Frenzy, set to play the Ogden in August, KTCL Channel 93.3 is set to feature the Lumineers, Langhorne Slim and Paper Bird, plus the Monkees. Keep reading for the ful ... More >>

Coachella 2013 YouTube schedule and lineup

If you're one of the fortunate ones who's going to Coachella this weekend, feel free to go ahead and skip to the end of this post, where you'll find the full lineup and schedule. If, however, you're a flat broke music lover who'll be attending Couchella, as some clever dude somewhere has coined it, ... More >>

Passion Pit at 1STBANK Center with Matt & Kim, 3/1/13 (review, photos and setlist)

PASSION PIT @ 1STBANK CENTER | 3/1/13 Passion Pit's show at 1STBANK Center was more about feel than flash, more about mood than pageantry. The globes started to glow pink right before Passion Pit broke into the slow tempo of "Constant Conversations" and singer Michael Angelakos busted out some fine ... More >>

New shows: Fall Out Boy, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, Johnny Marr and more

A bunch of great shows announced this week: Fresh off a string of well received comeback shows, Fall Out Boy is back with a new record and a tour that will hit Denver in June. Vampire Weekend is due at Red Rocks with Of Monsters and Men, while fun. has announced a date of its own at Red Rocks with T ... More >>

New Denver shows: Zac Brown adds third show at Red Rocks, plus Sting, the XX and more

Okay, hands up if you knew the Zac Brown Band was so popular. He's wildly popular, in case you're wondering. Dude just added another show at Red Rocks, thanks to the fact that the first two have already sold out. Oh, and speaking of the Rocks, Sting has announced a June date up there, and we've got ... More >>

New shows: Animal Collective at the Ogden, the Avett Brothers at Red Rocks, the Revival Tour

After the comforting lull of the holidays, things are starting to ramping back up nicely on the concert front. Some big announcements this week, including Animal Collective, who is slated to return to Denver for a show at the Ogden Theatre with Dan Deacon, and the Avett Brothers who are set for a tw ... More >>

New shows: Sigur Ros, Carrie Underwood, Bloc Party, Big Head Todd, Divine Fits and more

It's not Christmas yet, but you'd certainly be excused for thinking otherwise, what with the radio already playing round-the-clock holiday tunes and the new shows we've been gifted with. Looks like somebody's been on their best behavior (god knows, it wasn't us). Whatever the case, we're now being r ... More >>

New shows: Disco Biscuits, Passion Pit at 1STBANK, the Walkmen at the Ogden Theatre

As reported yesterday, the Disco Biscuits are playing three shows in Colorado after the first of the year at the Boulder Theater, Ogden Theatre and 1STBANK Center. And while that's arguably the biggest concert announcement of the week, it's not the only one. After cancelling its co-headlining date w ... More >>

New Denver Concerts: Gov't Mule two nights in September, Primus in November and more

See Also: - 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 this week's shows - Mumford and Sons, Brother Ali, Henry Rollins an ... More >>

New Denver concerts: The Who at Pepsi Center, New Order at 1STBANK, the Script and more

See Also: - Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Odd Future, Atmosphere and XX lead this week's shows - Afghan Whigs, Amanda Palmer, Aimee Mann and Seether lead this week's shows - Mumford and Sons, Brother Ali, Henry Rollins and Melvins Lite lead this week's shows - Morrissey, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube, Dinos ... More >>

Fire Season

The Distance We've Created
Self-released

2012 Grammy Awards: Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic wins, as does Brian Joseph. Go CO!

Rod BlackhurstBrian Joseph (center) with Achille Lauro, circa 2008.​Colorado represents! Big old fat props go out to Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic and Brian Joseph, who each won Grammy awards tonight for their contributions to albums by Adele and Bon Iver. The former earned a nod for Adele's 21, ... More >>

Bon Iver's Grammy nomination doesn't change the Grammys

The arty, spare Inni follows Iceland's Sigur Ros

Paper Diamond added to Outside Lands

​Paper Diamond's stock just rose significantly. The Boulder-based act led by Alex B. (aka Alex Botwin) of Pnuma Trio and Elm and Oak, has been added to the Outside Lands festival happening a few weekends from now in San Francisco. Have you seen the lineup? He'll be in some pretty impressive c ... 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 >>

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

​Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week: In October, Portishead hits the 1STBANK Center, Bring Me the Horizon comes to the Fillmore, and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart is due at the Bluebird. On local radio, Fierce Bad Rabbit, Veronica and Andy Hackbarth got some spins. Meanwhile ... More >>

Review: Matt & Kim at the Ogden, 06/21/11

MATT & KIM at OGDEN THEATRE | 06.21.11"Matt shot confetti into the air. Kim walked on hands in the crowd. They we fun, sounded good enough, and were generally the happiest people you've ever seen."

Westword Music Showcase 2011

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

Anand Wilder of Yeasayer on being from Baltimore but making a name in New York

​Yeasayer (due tonight with Hush, Hush and Smith Westerns at the Ogden Theatre) was started by three guys from Baltimore, who each moved to New York separately before starting the band. During its four-year existence, the trio has developed an experimental pop sound that is more akin to quirky ... More >>

Yeasayer

Wednesday, June 1, Ogden Theatre, 303-830-8497.

Crystal Stilts at the Larimer Lounge, 5/16/11

Kyle Smith CRYSTAL STILTS Overcasters • Force Publique 05.16.11 | Larimer Lounge While it was a bit of an odd choice for Force Publique to open for a reverb-drenched indie pop band, Cassie McNeil and James Wayne's industrial-tinged goth pop sounded as good as it did when we last caught the duo a ... More >>

Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai on musical roots and the awful Margaret Thatcher

Steve GullickMogwai​ Formed in 1995, Mogwai quickly made a name for itself with adventurous guitar work and a sound that loosened and opened up the imagination. Over the course of the next sixteen years, the Scottish band very much plotted its own course through exploring every sonic whim wit ... More >>

In honor of Modest Mouse and Big Boi: A look at the Top 10 rap/rock collaborations of all time

​In case you haven't heard yet, Modest Mouse is working with Big Boi on its next album. Seriously. Yeah, we're having a hard time even trying to imagine what that's going to sound like. The news, however, did get us thinking about the ten of the best and rap/rock collaborations. You know Aeros ... More >>

Lollapalooza lineup: The Chain Gang of 1974 and Tennis due at this year's fest in August

​Lollapalooza turns twenty years old this year. Can you believe it? We can't. Doesn't seem like it was two decades ago when Perry Farrell introduced America to his roving festival in 1991. The inaugural version, which made a stop at Fiddler's Green, featured Farrell's band Jane Addiction, alon ... More >>

Slim Cessna, A. Tom Collins, Serious Moonlight and DJ MU$A top our weekly playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

New releases from DeVotchKa, The Frantix, Nicki Minaj top sellers locally this week

​DeVotchKa's excellent 100 Lovers, released last week on Anti, debuted at number one at both Albums on the Hill and Twist & Shout and rounded out the top five at Wax Trax. Two Rick Kulwicki-related releases, meanwhile, The Frantix's My Dad's a Fuckin' Alcoholic and the Fluid's Purplemetalflake ... More >>

PJ Harvey, Drive-By Truckers, Nicki Minaj top sellers at local stores

​PJ Harvey's Let England Shake, released last week on Vagrant, took the top spot at Twist & Shout and claimed the sixth spot at Albums on the Hill for the week ending February 20. The Drive-By Truckers, meanwhile, debuted at number one at Albums with their latest effort Go-Go Boots, also relea ... More >>

Young the Giant

Wednesday, February 16, Larimer Lounge, 303-291-1007.

Earth, Deca, DeVotchKa, Mogwai, Hindershot, Warsaw and Adele top our weekly playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Sasquatch 2011 line-up announced: Vanilla bands covered in vanilla sauce

​Sasquatch became the second major summer festival to announce its lineup last night. The George, Washington (kills us every time) indie-fest is always heavy on the hipster-bait, but this year is egregious. The top of the bill looks like this: Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, W ... More >>

People Under The Stairs on music and big ass mansions

Catch People Under the Stairs on Saturday night at the Marquis with Prime Element and Input​ As the first hip-hop duo signed to electronic dance label Om Records, People Under The Stairs have been spitting out quality underground material since 1998. Thes One and Double K have a true apprecia ... More >>

BLKHRTS, Wu-Tang top our weekly playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Our 55 favorite musical releases of 2010

ZOMG keeps rolling at Milk Bar on Thanksgiving

​If you're looking for a handy way to snap out of your tryptophan-induced coma tomorrow evening, Tim Alexander, aka DJ Tower, will be holding down his regular slot at Milk Bar for ZOMG Thursday. Tower has been running the weekly electro-heavy event for the better part of a year, bringing the l ... More >>

Aloe Blacc, Harry Nilsson, Kid Cudi fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

The Moondoggies

Monday, November 15, hi-dive, 720-570-4500.

Pretty Lights, Ween and Jay-Z filled our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Kings of Leon, Deerhunter, Lil Wayne top sellers at local record stores

​While it isn't a huge surprise, Come Around Sundown, Kings of Leon's fifth studio album, released last week on RCA, claimed the top spots at both Albums on the Hill and Twist and Shout, and checked in at number two at Independent Records, behind Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being. Deerhunter' ... More >>

Sufjan Stevens, Belle & Sebastian, Lil Wayne top sellers at local stores

​Sufjan Stevens' The Age of Adz, released last week on Asthmatic Kitty, and Belle & Sebastian's latest release on Matador, Write About Love, took the top two spots at Albums on the Hill and Twist & Shout for the week ending October 17. Lil Wayne's new album, meanwhile, I Am Not a Human Being ... More >>

Is the entire notion of a band "selling out" even valid anymore in this day and age?

​In a Q&A with GQ posted earlier this week, Steve Albini takes Sonic Youth to task for selling out when they signed to Geffen in 1990. He contends that when Sonic Youth entered the mainstream machine, it encouraged other bands to follow suit. It's kind of confusing logic if you think too lon ... More >>

Interpol, Animal Collective, Eminem and the Heads top sellers this week

​While there weren't any clear winners across the board at local record stores for the week ending September 12, !!!'s Strange Weather Isn't It made it into the top ten at Albums on the Hill and at Wax Trax. Elsewhere, Interpol's self-titled album, released last week on Matador, took the top s ... More >>

Justify My Love: Submitting to a Vampire Weekend obsession

Catch Vampire Weekend tonight at Red Rocks with Beach House and the Dum Dum Girls​Okay we all have some skeletons in our closet, shit we dig -- be it music, movies or television shows -- that we'd just as soon that nobody else knew about. Guilty pleasures is what most people term these sort of ... More >>

Arcade Fire, Los Lobos top sellers at local stores

​Arcade Fire's latest effort, The Suburbs, continues to dominate the local charts, claiming the top spots at Albums on the Hill, Twist & Shout and Wax Trax for the week ending August 15. Los Lobos' Tin Can Trust, released August 3 on Shout! Factory, performed well, as did Wolf Parade's Expo 86 ... More >>

Beside Rick Ross and Big Boi, we're all listening to completely different stuff this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Minature Tigers' Charlie Brand on evolving as an artist and the joys and shortcomings of touring

Brandon Lee​The music of Miniature Tigers sounds like it has its roots in the sunnier, more upbeat end of '60s guitar rock, utilizing spare melodies with melodic atmospheres that have an nostalgic immediacy -- as though your future self could sing a song to you with words of compassion and com ... More >>

Tokyo Police Club

Tuesday, August 3, Bluebird Theater, 303-377-1666.

Matador at 21: Anyone got a spare, oh, $700 or so?

​As it happens, we don't have a spare $700 or so laying around. Boy, if we did, though, you wouldn't really have to be the betting type to wager where we'd be on Friday, October 1 through Sunday, October 3. No contest: Matador at 21 in Las Vegas. Have you seen the lineup for this thing? Holy ... More >>

Westword Music Showcase 2010: Backbeat scribes' travelogue

​ Here's our massive, multi-page report/travelogue of the Westword Music Showcase from (in order) Tom Murphy, Cory Casciato, A.H. Goldstein, Jef Otte, Jon Solomon and Brain Frederick. Let us know in the comments what you saw and loved, saw and hated, or missed and hated yourself for missing. ... More >>

Ghostand Observatory, Jonathan Tyler on our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>