Although he never set out to be the sentinel of the season, Brian Setzer has long had a knack for revitalizing forgotten genres: Beginning in the early '80s, he and the Stray Cats reached the height of the rockabilly revival; in the '90s, he and the Brian Setzer Orchestra set down tunes for a new generation of swingers; and in this decade, he's released two Christmas albums, of all things: Boogie Woogie Christmas, from 2002, and Dig That Crazy Christmas, from 2005. Ever since the first album hit the scene, the Orchestra has spent the holiday season on the road, taking the Brian Setzer Orchestra's Christmas Extravaganza Tour across the nation. The high-energy show features traditional songs polished up with a bass-lined, horn-blasted sound complemented by the pompadoured crooner himself and his Gretsch guitar stylings. But don't worry: Classics like "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut" are still on the bill; the only difference is that they'll be backed up by singers in elf costumes. Expect plenty of jumping, jiving and wailing. The Orchestra comes to the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson Street, tonight only. The Detonators with Dibbs Preston, an old Setzer pal from London and a former Levi and the Rockats member open the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $38.75 in advance, $43.75 at the door; for details, call 303-830-TIXS or visit www.livenation.com.
Tue., Dec. 11, 8 p.m., 2007