Music & Venues

Sounds on 29th, hosted by Flobots co-founder and Colorado Music Ambassador Stephen Brackett, is back for its eleventh season with PBS12, releasing stellar concert videos showcasing the best of local acts. But our favorite aspect of this season is that the show has moved out of its Five Points studio to stage bands at the city’s most beloved music halls and dives. Our favorite concerts in the series took bands back to the storied venue El Chapultepec, with both the Crooked Rugs and the Mañanas rocking the house.

pbs.org/show/sounds-29th

Anyone who’s lived in the city for a while likely has fond memories from nights at the Bluebird Theater, which many musicians see as a key stepping stone on their path to stardom. It’s where we catch acts on their come-up, and it’s even where many return after hitting the mainstream — it’s that beloved by the musicians who play there. Aside from the quality of the booking by AEG, the Bluebird keeps fans coming back for its intimate, funky setting, from the gargoyles on the walls to the balcony, where you can grab a beer and have a bird’s-eye view of the dancing crowd.

The Ogden Theatre is more than 100 years old, but this intimate concert venue still knows the definition of hospitality. The Ogden’s security, bar and operations employees are attentive and kind, willing to give dizzy concert-goers a bottle of water and a place to sit or to point out the location of the bathrooms if needed. The staff is approachable and takes care of every patron. It’s nice to know that no matter what happens at the Ogden, we’re in good hands.

You’re going where? Your Mom’s House is such a great name, simply because of the confusion it engenders in those new to the city. The funky spot is home to raucous open-mic nights flush with jams, as well as a dance floor built from light-up cubes that encourage you to dance like no one’s watching. Your Mom’s House pulls in acts from a multitude of genres, but jam, funk and EDM reign supreme here. It may not be where we’d take our moms, but it is the place to go for a night out you’ll never forget — partly because of that embarrassing photographic evidence from your friends. We love this venue not only for its name, but also for the happy-go-lucky community you’ll find there. See you at Your Mom’s House!

Situated on the gentle slopes of Ruby Hill Park, Levitt Pavilion has captured the hearts of live-music lovers since it opened in 2017. And the nonprofit returns that love tenfold each year with its free summer concert series, which offers around fifty concerts where you can kick back and relax on a lawn chair without worrying about how much you have left to spend on booze or food. This year’s series includes shows from the likes of Buffalo Nichols, Chali 2na and Cut Chemist; the venue has ticketed shows as well, with this year’s lineup including the Beach Boys, slowdive and more. The free shows aren’t the only way Levitt gives back: In 2020 the venue created its Bodies of Culture board, which just launched a mentorship program for young BIPOC musicians.

Denver Botanic Gardens has been hosting its annual outdoor summer concert series, now produced in partnership with Swallow Hill Music, since 1980. The series includes ten concerts from June through August and showcases both local and national acts in an array of genres — all surrounded by the romantic beauty of the well-tended gardens. This summer will see shows from Graham Nash, DeVotchKa, Trombone Shorty, Emmylou Harris and more. The DBG also hosts Evenings Al Fresco in the summer, intimate music experiences that take place around the 24-acre grounds.

The next generation of Denver musicians is in good hands with Swallow Hill Music, where students can study classical, folk, jazz, pop, bluegrass, rock and more with professional local musicians. But the nonprofit also makes its mark on the city’s music scene by producing a number of concert series at such venues as the Botanic Gardens, the Butterfly Pavilion, Four Mile Historic Park and the Clyfford Still Museum. Swallow Hill hosts its own concerts, too, where you can hear everything from world music to folk from musicians from around the globe.

Since 1986, City Park Jazz has produced ten concerts every summer, and catching a show here is a Denver tradition. The free series, which begins the first weekend of June, features some of the best local musicians in the city as well as touring artists, all playing jazz, blues, salsa and more at the park’s iconic pavilion on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s lineup includes the legendary Hazel Miller & the Collective, Roka Hueka, Mistura Fina, Jakarta and more. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and some snacks and cocktails for the perfect summer evening.

cityparkjazz.org

On the third Thursday in June, July and August, music lovers can head to Commons Park for a free concert hosted by the Riverfront Park Neighborhood. Along with great music, there are always food and drink vendors on site, so it’s easy to make an evening of it. This year’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but last year the shows included national indie names like Jaguar Sun along with local artists such as Grace DeVine. Bring blankets and lawn chairs, and get ready for a relaxing summer evening of live music.

twoparts.com/work/summersessions

Five Points was once known as the “Harlem of the West,” and that history is celebrated each year at the Five Points Jazz Festival. The blast of brass is hard to miss when a New Orleans-style parade kicks off the festivities on Welton Street, which becomes home to several stages that welcome jazz acts from near and far. The free Arts & Venues-run festival rang in its twentieth anniversary in 2023, with forty artists playing on the outdoor stages as well as inside such Five Points staples as the Roxy, Cervantes’, Brother Jeff’s and the Marigold. Here’s to twenty more years!

Ay, domingueando…even the word itself sounds like an invitation to chill. Domingo is “Sunday” in Spanish, and domingueando generally translates to spending a Sunday afternoon in a pleasant way. In Denver, that means heading to Raíces Brewing for Domingueando, two hours of live Latin-based music in the laid-back confines of the inviting taproom, where you can also enjoy cold craft beer, snacks from local small businesses, and the latest soccer match playing on a flat-screen. As its tagline notes, Raíces, a Latin-owned brewpub on the banks of the Platte River, is all about embracing community and sharing culture. We can’t think of a better way to end the weekend — or a better way to describe it — than Domingueando at Raíces.

Heading behind the red velvet curtain and down the stairs into the Black Buzzard is such a throwback. The stripped-down venue allows for close proximity to those performing, with plenty of seating and a full bar that lets concert-goers choose their own adventure. Get sweaty in a mosh pit or sit on the sidelines watching acts take the stage. Either way, your flannels are welcome here, and you just might feel the urge to head to a Blockbuster store or flip through the Yellow Pages to dial your friend on their landline: The Black Buzzard is just that good at transporting you to simpler times.

Meet the newest duo to take over this weekly series dedicated to Denver music, a pair of industry veterans with ears trained to the local sound. One peek at their résumés confirms an innate ability to tune into the rising tide of Mile High musicians. Chad Saxton has a long history as a sound engineer and DIY supporter in Denver, while David “Dirt” Rosenblat has held numerous roles in the industry as well (whether he was running the venue or playing in the band). The pair’s fingers are permanently fixed on the pulse of local music, keeping them informed about what Colorado listeners want to hear next. Catch them on Sundays at 9 p.m. on KTCL Channel 93.

ktcl.iheart.com

The UMS has been a beacon for bands in the metro area since its inception in 2001. Taking over a strip of Broadway, the multi-day festival brings together the best in both local music and up-and-coming national acts, at favorite venues such as the hi-dive, HQ, the Roxy and the Skylark Lounge, as well as the festival’s own outdoor stages, all at an affordable price. This is where you can say you saw a band before it got big, and who doesn’t love having a little bit of that indie clout?

undergroundmusicshowcase.com

You won’t know who you’re seeing, and you won’t know where, but the mystery is part of the allure of buying a ticket to a SoFar Sounds show. The international concert company launched in London in 2009 and landed in Denver five years later. Community-oriented, SoFar often partners with local organizations such as the Dream Create Inspire Tour, Music Minds Matter and Colorado Public Radio. After performing with SoFar here, local artists such as Covenhoven and Dzirae Gold have performed in some of the company’s other cities. SoFar artists are paid 70 percent of the concert’s net profit, and we love it when an international organization really puts its money where its mouth is. Whether the show is in a yoga studio or a backyard, SoFar is so good.

sofarsounds.com

The tribute band Drums and Space doesn’t just play the Grateful Dead’s music; it brings the whole Shakedown Street experience to wherever it performs. Band founder Eric West (guitar/vocals) says it’s like the “jam band circus,” complete with vendors, face painters, drum circles, flow artists and more. It’s about bringing the culture together, and the band itself is a gem, too, with West being joined by Jay Rowe (keys), Chris Rose (drums), Scott Headley (percussion) and Travis Daudert (lead guitar/vocals), along with special lights from engineer Travis Lamb. The band aims to play a couple of shows per month through the summer and early fall, with outdoor performances that will really bring the lot experience together. Follow the band on social media to learn about upcoming shows.

facebook.com/drumsandspace

The inaugural Hip-Hop Summit just took place at the end of March, and we already can’t wait for next year’s show. Presented by Colorado Street Art and Moods R&B, the event was created by Jarred De Palo, BJ Quarles and Adam Clark and held at ABC Imaging on Kalamath Street. The place was abuzz with energy, with graffiti artists live-painting on the outside and beats and breakdancing on the inside while people perused an exhibit of graffiti photography from New York and Colorado and a pop-up shop of streetwear by Culture Street. A mini-skatepark for fingerboards hosted by Th!s Project and an open-mic cypher rounded out the festivities. It was like a renegade block party the founders remembered from hip-hop’s ’90s heyday — but as this event proved, it’s all still happening in the present.

Last June was the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop, and we can’t think of an album that better reflects the culture’s roots than Denver-based Ason Yugen’s The Wolf & The Social Club. Each of the eighteen tracks encourages repeat listens, with pristine beats and Yugen’s buttery, emotive flow. Inspired by the way social media has impacted society, it’s a concept album that looks at social media as an alternate universe; from opening track “Login” to “The Portal,” listeners are placed in the real world, until the track “Algorithm” launches them into an otherworldly journey. A philosophical reflection on tech coupled with classic, sometimes jazzy beats? More, please.

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She Who Won’t Be Named is the MC of the Beats Bodega hip-hop event at River Bar. And it’s impossible to forget her after you hear her quick and witty flow. While it’s always a wild time at Beats Bodega, the artist gets reflective on her 2023 EP, Time to Change (released on Bandcamp). We hear her look back on her Southern roots in “Flower Child From Memphis” and witness her charismatic drive in “Light Shines ft J.Seuss”; she’s intimate and encouraging on “Sweetly,” sharing how creativity and a positive, open attitude can take you far. A lot of rappers have a tight flow, but when it’s paired with lyrical talent, that takes it to the next level. She Who Won’t Be Named has that and more.

shewhowontbenamed,bandcamp.com

As if the song “PLZ,” a collaboration between rappers DNA Picasso and Malcolm Whyz3, didn’t already pop off enough, the accompanying music video, with its high quality and visual variety, takes this creative collaboration even further. Malcolm Whyz3 entered the Denver hip-hop scene in 2019 with an emotional song about his grandmother’s passing, making Westword‘s list of ten rappers to watch in 2023. DNA Picasso is also a mainstay in the city’s rap scene, and we’re hoping for more collaborations in the future between these two innovative musicians.

There’s nothing like kicking back and putting on some R&B — and next time you do, be sure to add Danae Simone to your playlist. The singer-songwriter puts on a captivating live performance that includes both originals and covers, with vocals that will have you feeling like you’re floating in the clouds. The romantic lyrics on her 2023 singles “Is This Love” and “Got Me” are completely relatable, and the songs wrap around listeners like a warm embrace. They’re also both total earworms that will be playing in your head for days, begging you to press “play” once again.

danaesimonemusic.com

Spinks is a longstanding artist in the Mile High music scene, and her album a fools tale. has been a go-to listen since it dropped last April. Evocative of such artists as Lauryn Hill, Spinks’s vocals make listeners melt with a steady vibe that enlightens and intoxicates. Standouts from the album include “last call” and “lights on,” which both indicate that this is the perfect album for…we’ll say “making love.” Aside from the R&B, Spinks is a badass rapper, too: “This That New Flava in Ya Ear,” from Above Average, is one of our favorites. Spinks will be dropping singles consistently this year, so save her on your streaming platforms ASAP.

@spinksmusic

The Tennyson corridor has a cultural hub in the Oriental Theater, whose history goes back to 1927, when it opened as a movie theater. As people moved to the suburbs in the ’50s, it fell into disrepair and changed hands several times. But the venue made a comeback in 2005, and while it hosts some incredible metal and rock concerts, the Oriental is also home to everything from comedy (Lucha Libre and Laughs is a must-see) and burlesque to lectures, film screenings and festivals. The variety has maintained the theater’s vivacious spirit, and it’s become a go-to spot for fun in the city. Plus, the 44 bus stops right outside, making it easily accessible — always a win in our book.

Musicians have a lot to thank the hi-dive for. Since it opened in 2003, the intimate music venue and bar has provided the stage where many bands cut their teeth before going mainstream, including Nathaniel Rateliff, MGMT, St. Vincent and the National, to name a few. It also hosts Indie 102.3’s Local 303 Meetup each month, where you can catch quality local bands for free. The little blue building has a solid hold on the hearts of Denverites who love live music, cheap drinks and a friendly dive-bar atmosphere that consistently serves up memorable nights and lifelong relationships. We couldn’t imagine the Mile High music scene without it.

HQ had some bad luck last August when an outside water pipe burst and flooded its basement spot, HQ Underground, which hosted drag and burlesque events. The damage was extensive, and HQ concerts were moved to other stages while co-owners Scott Happel and Peter Ore created a fundraiser to deal with the immediate repairs (which insurance wouldn’t cover). The venue has been a beloved live-music haven for the community, which showed up in spades with benefit concerts and more fundraising events. While the basement is still closed, HQ was able to open its main-floor space within a few months of the disaster. Can you feel the love?

The local hip-hop scene has found a champion in River Bar, which has weekly events dedicated to the culture. There’s the Wolf Wednesdays open mic, hosted by Yasmine Holtz, who performs her own hip-hop and R&B as Jhazzy Wolf; her event occasionally offers incentives for those with winning performances, from studio time to cash to even a halftime headliner slot at Blue Arena. There’s also Beats Bodega on Thursdays, hosted by Face Defeat, which includes DJs spinning hip-hop beats and pass-the-mic cyphers. At either of these events, you’re sure to catch some top-notch talent, but this art-filled wonderland is the perfect place to plant yourself on any given night.

Mission Ballroom has only been in operation since 2019, but it quickly solidified itself as one of the best venues in the city. Not only does the Mission bring in must-see touring artists, but it has a premier layout. Inspired by Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the wide, stadium-style steps provide unobstructed views of the stage, and the bars located on each side of the venue, top and bottom, ensure that you never have a long wait to get a drink. The floor area itself is huge, so there’s always room to dance, and the 4,000-capacity venue has pitch-perfect acoustics.

Fiddler’s Green opened in 1988 after it was commissioned by the Museum of Outdoor Arts as an expansive earth sculpture, even winning an award from the American Institute of Architecture. The venue is known for bringing in big names — upcoming shows this year include Billy Strings and the Dave Matthews Band — but it’s also a big supporter of the local arts, with a mural program that adds new installations each year. At concerts, you can catch murals by David Swartz, Chad Bolsinger, Jason Graves, Jessica McMillan and more, with many depicting Colorado wildlife such as bison, wolves, owls, snakes and birds.

As spring rolls around and the snow begins to melt, our minds immediately turn to the Red Rocks concert season. The most well-known venue in the state, if not the country, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is more than a music venue — it’s a landmark. The sprawling venue and park in Morrison is bursting with history, from the dinosaur fossils embedded in the rocks to the many musicians who have graced the stage. We couldn’t envision a summer without attending a Red Rocks concert or Film on the Rocks, and it’s the perfect place to take visiting friends or family for a taste of one of the many benefits of living in Denver.

Dazzle has brought so much to the jazz scene since it opened its doors at 930 Lincoln Street in 1997, but the venue really showed its love for the city by deciding to spotlight another jazz club when it had its long-anticipated reopening in the Denver Performing Arts Complex last August. The El Chapultepec Piano Lounge honors the come-as-you-are spot that closed during the pandemic, in partnership with the El Chapultepec Legacy Project. Dedicated to maintaining the ‘Pec’s legacy, the lounge offers late-night sets from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays — and they’re all free.

Want dinner and a show? Then head over to Nocturne, which has been blending live jazz with exceptional seasonal dishes since it opened ten years ago. With an intimate ambience and music-forward layout, this is where you can see local jazz icons up close and personal. The listening-room environment, with tables nestled around the stage, is dedicated to classic jazz and hosts resident artists monthly.

Bar 404 started its music program with a free jazz night every Wednesday under Ron LeGault, and has since expanded its offerings to include live music from all genres (though the free jazz night is still a must-do). From rock and roll to country, blues, pop, bluegrass, indie and everything in between, you’re sure to find something intriguing on the calendar. By implementing a larger stage area and reinforcing its sound system, Bar 404 is staking a bigger claim in the Mile High music scene, and we’re all the better for it.

Globe Hall, a small club nestled in the Globeville neighborhood, might be best known for great BBQ that pairs well with live music, but it’s also got a secret: Thanks to its AEG-adjacent ownership, the business often hosts artists who are in town to play at one of Denver’s mega-venues. Exclusive merch store pop-ups aren’t uncommon, nor are last-minute bookings for someone who just sold out Red Rocks that week. You might also find some of your favorite Denver musicians here, enjoying one of many new country, folk or bluegrass acts that the venue typically books. So when you’re done smashing that BBQ, be sure to clean your face in case you run into your music-celebrity crush.

Authentic 100 Entertainment does it all, from recording, producing, mixing and mastering to promotion, merch and videography. A100 stands out for its roster of hip-hop releases as well as its BoxedIn TV series on YouTube, which interviews such artists as local rapper ReSrface, along with the concerts it produces around town at such venues as the Black Buzzard and the Rickhouse. The studio has another incentive: It just partnered with Native Roots, a move that should take your session to new heights.

@a100_recordingstudios

Although Denver is home to a plethora of open mics, most venues cater to a select group of artists: jazz musicians, DJs or vocalists. But the Roxy on Broadway, known for its 1920s ambience and classic cocktails, has open-mic nights tailored to a variety of performers. Every Wednesday, jazz prodigies and connoisseurs can enjoy an evening of live jazz and an open jazz jam from 7 to 10 p.m. On the first and last Tuesday of each month, singers and songwriters flock to the Roxy’s intimate stage for an open mic from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Even wannabe DJs can practice their record-spinning skills at a DJ open deck from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Ah, Cervantes’. This dual venue has been a live-music haven since it opened in 2003, and while you can catch numerous genres here, Cervantes’ has become known for staging jam bands from the city and around the U.S. It’s not just up-and-comers, either: The club has hosted the likes of Phish’s Page McConnell and Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes. With the smart layout, after seeing a show in the Ballroom, you can hop over to the Other Side to enjoy more funky tunes. And during the summer, there’s nothing like the vibes on the patio.

The owners of Beacon really know how to create an environment that ignites the party spirit in everyone who walks through the door. Even if you’re an introvert who rarely likes going out, it’s impossible not to enjoy yourself at this club, which is filled with immersive installations by local artists, including the whimsical bar covered with woven branches and a golden room that emulates a beehive. Aesthetics aside, Beacon is also serious about safety and its “no-assholes” policy. Being able to dance to stellar local and international DJs without having to worry about any creeps is a truly wonderful thing that warrants serious props.

Not only does the Gothic Theatre offer an excellent lineup of shows every month, but it’s also an easy night out for those who don’t want to drive. The venue is about a fifteen-minute walk from the Englewood Station light rail stop, and no fewer than five RTD bus lines drop passengers off even closer than that. Both the light rail and the buses run past midnight on Friday and Saturday, so enjoy a worry-free show at the Gothic, then hop on the bus, Gus, and get yourself home.

Summit has a calendar stacked with metal and punk-rock acts that you used to love in high school (whether you graduated last year or two decades ago). There are just as many rising rock stars on this LoDo club’s books as there are mainstay metal heavy hitters — but don’t forget the emo nights, when you can dance and sing along to all of your favorites at full volume. And if sneaking out for pizza between classes was your thing, you can do that here, too. So break out the eyeliner, squeeze yourself into those skinny jeans and head on down to Summit to relive the fast times.

EDM has found its Mile High headquarters in the Black Box. Whether you want to hear a touring artist or an underground up-and-comer, this is the spot — and has been for almost a decade. Created by Nicole Cacciavillano in 2016, the Black Box is known for its weekly event Sub.mission, which is also the name of Cacciavillano’s booking and talent agency. Sub.mission was one of the first events to champion dubstep in the U.S., and it’s continued to bring top-notch talent to the venue while maintaining the spirit of old-school raves. As Cacciavillano puts it: “What we look for is just raw talent.”

Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar, a local Japanese-Hawaiian fusion chain, delivers a great happy hour and a fun environment at all four of its locations, but weekend nights at its Blake Street outpost offer something special: DJs. Music at a sushi restaurant? Yes — and it’s not just the sake bombs making the beats sound distressingly good. More often than not, the DJs at this spot are talented enough to have you grabbing your phone to Google where they’re playing next.

The Larimer Lounge used to be primarily a rock club, but it has expanded its audience by welcoming other genres, especially EDM. These days, you can catch anyone from an indie singer-songwriter to a rock band to a techno DJ or dubstep artist here. The Larimer even has an SMS mailing list that will alert you to the best electronic-music artists coming to the venue, with the chance for guest-list spots and other deals. And when you’re at the club, you won’t want to leave; it boasts an easily accessible bar as well as an outdoor area in back where you can swap stories.

Perched at the corner of South Broadway and East Maple Avenue, the Skylark has a knack for hosting unfamiliar artists that easily become new favorites. One scroll through its website reveals an intriguing roster of under-the-radar musicians looking for their next big fan. The small stage upstairs in the Bobcat Club is the perfect place to catch a show during a night out on Broadway, and tickets are always on the cheaper end. Grab a drink, sit back and enjoy the tunes of Denver’s independent musicians.

Once May hits, no Denver band is safe. That’s when Maris the Great rises from his lair under the Cheesman Park pavilion and begins terrorizing stages with his band the F.O.D. Always in character, you’ll find Maris stomping around his lair with a pink mohawk and full zombie armor, and on his website, you’ll find the array of bands he’s “killed” through the decades. Most bands consider it a compliment to be murdered by the Denver icon — he always asks permission — and his final show of the year (before he returns to his lair) usually involves those most recently killed. That’s his Halloween showcase, hosted by drag queen Jessica L’Whor and involving all the blood and gore you can stomach. It’s not just a celebration of horror, but of queer culture, too.

maristhegreat.com

Dreamy and ethereal, Grace DeVine is Denver pop royalty. But don’t be fooled by her catchy hooks and addictive, layered beats: The artist’s lyrics are earnest, sometimes heavy, and confront the highs and lows of life with intentionality and creativity. DeVine released the EP Taste of Heaven last September with a concert at Globe Hall, and her pipes were just as heavenly in person as they are through headphones. Denver has a true lyrical genius in Grace DeVine, and we can’t wait to see what she puts out this year.

@gracedevinemusic

If you haven’t caught Boogie Lights, you’re missing out. Mark Henrichs brings together the worlds of funk and disco with his project, and now his collaborators are along for the ride in the Boogie Bunch, which includes vocalists Abi Clark and Mandy Haupt, rapper/singer Andrew Leerson (aka Deezy Le Phunk), Ricky Feria (aka Rix) on guitar, Dan Chando on keys, Ty Martinez on sax, Kylee Lund on trumpet and Melissa Joy on violin. They debuted with a sold-out show at Globe Hall last March and released The Boogie Bunch in October. The Boogie Lights sound is intoxicating, and while you’ll be listening to it constantly through your headphones, there’s nothing like hearing it live while dancing the night away.

boogielightsmusic.com

Brandon Theis started his multi-instrumental project the Orchestrator from the ground up, teaching himself how to play saxophone and mix and master his tunes — which also include him on guitar, drums and keys. Since 2021, he’s released dozens of singles and an EP, with “Jazz Wobbles” racking up more than a million streams on Spotify and his song “Alissa,” named for his wife, hitting number one on the iTunes jazz charts. He’s sold out multiple venues and even had Afroman as an opener at the Summit in January. The music is funky yet soothing, head-bob-inducing and flush with sexy trills from the sax balanced by beats that go from oozy and dub-inspired to hip-hop-adjacent.

theorchestratormusic.com

Denver loves itself some metal and EDM. Both scenes continue to thrive throughout the city within their respective lanes. But there hasn’t been a lot of crossover between the two…until longtime guitarist Rod Wess decided to start mixing EDM with his first love, metal. Formerly of death-metal band Distant Haven, Wess got turned on to EDM in the early 2000s and became a DJ. Armed with his ESP LTD guitar, he now makes drum-and-bass-infused shred metal that appeals to EDM acolytes and metalheads alike, especially live. Recent singles “Shaolin Tactics” and “Crank ‘n’ the Foot” are bass-heavy bangers that also showcase Wess’s affinity for hip-hop, including the Wu-Tang Clan. For good measure, Wess, a self-professed classical music nerd, sprinkles in scales that would make Mozart and Vivaldi headbang.

rodwess.com

Death doom isn’t the sexiest extreme-metal subgenre. Found at opposite ends of the music spectrum, death and doom metal typically don’t have much in common. But Spectral Voice makes the unlikely marriage work so well that most people don’t even question it. Take the band’s second full-length, Sparagmos. It’s nearly 46 minutes in length but is divided into four songs (such is death doom). It’s clear that drummer /vocalist Eli Wendler, guitarists Paul Riedl and Morris Kolontyrsky and bassist Jeff Barrett are completely dialed in on Sparagmos, constructing a foreboding and sinister atmosphere throughout, especially on “Red Feasts Condensed Into One” and “Death’s Knell Rings in Eternity.” The cherry on top is the album’s title: a Greek word for the Dionysian practice of tearing someone apart.

spectralvoice.bandcamp.com

In such a saturated music market, it’s extremely uncommon for bands to create a brand-new subgenre. But that’s exactly what Wayfarer has done over the past twelve years. Shane McCarthy (guitar and vocals), Isaac Faulk (drums and keyboards), Jamie Hansen (bass and vocals) and Joe Strong-Truscelli (guitar) are big fans of the “Denver sound,” and pair the haunting Americana of groups such as Slim Cessna’s Auto Club and 16 Horsepower with traditional black metal to make what’s been dubbed “Black Metal of the American West.” On its latest album, American Gothic, Wayfarer transports listeners to life in the Depression-era Dust Bowl with blackened cowboy folk tunes that could be an alternative There Will Be Blood soundtrack.

wayfarercolorado.bandcamp.com

Take a trip back in time and soar high with Eaglewing on its fearless flight into the new wave of heavy metal mayhem. These guys look and sound straight from the early-1980s heavy metal scene, embarking on a sonic journey where the skies are limitless and the music knows no bounds. The members are masters of their craft, using a simple formula of thundering drums, shredding guitar riffs and mesmerizing vocals to shape a majestic musical landscape. Although Eaglewing might seem like it’s from the past, the band has firmly established itself as the future of heavy metal in Denver.

eaglewingband.bandcamp.com

Denver grindcore trio Empire Demolition seemingly came out of nowhere with the release of its debut EP, Defenestration, earlier this year. Justin Redington (vocals and bass), Kendrick Lemke (guitar and vocals) and Nicholas Herrera (drums) are purveyors of sonic pandemonium, and the five songs on Defenestration pummel you for just under twenty minutes. The title track (the shortest offering at a hair under three minutes) and “Ruby” (the longest at a tad over six minutes) show off Empire Demolition’s range; like Napalm Death and Portrayal of Guilt, the band knows how to whip up a rage, and that’s a good thing when it comes to grindcore. So go ahead, throw it on and do some remodeling with your fists.

empiredemolition.bandcamp.com

There is stone-cold evidence that cavemen somehow found the time to create instruments (bone flutes, naturally) and music during the Paleolithic Era. They also loved to sing. But there is no way our thick-browed ancestors were coming up with anything near what death-metal trio Cronos Compulsion is currently concocting — though the band does like to call its sound  “caveman death metal.” It’s a newer term for a brand of brutal music that doesn’t bother with overly indulgent compositions — it’s barbaric and heavier than the Stone Age. What guitarist Wil Wilson, drummer Jon Linskey and bassist Addison Herron-Wheeler do on debut EP Malicious Regression would make any self-respecting Neanderthal lose their shit. Plus, the band moniker is an archeological term for the caveman practice of chopping up dead bodies instead of burying them.

cronoscompulsiondeath.bandcamp.com

Megatheria may be a new post-metal group, but the trio is playing some serious Ice Age instrumentals. The band’s name references an extinct giant sloth that grew up to sixteen feet in length and last roamed the Earth about 11,700 years ago. That is, until guitarist Marc Christoforidis, bassist Matt Funk and drummer David Hindman resurrected it with the release of their debut album, Gateway, last May. The record is divided into five tracks, but the stoner-doom project is essentially one comprehensive piece, similar to Sleep’s 1999 classic, Jerusalem (or the 2003 re-release, Dopesmoker). At just over ten minutes, “Hibernation” is the standout single. But we suggest listening to it in one sitting…while sifting through silt searching for fossils.

megatheria.bandcamp.com

Ever wonder why local Latin bands iZCALLi and EL CRO are often on the same bill? Both bands put on energetic, entertaining shows — EL CRO dishing out its “rock mexicano hecho en Denver” (“Mexican rock made in Denver”) and iZCALLi putting on fiery performances filled with everything from time-traveling fuzz rock to bilingual ballads — but there’s more to the story than that. EL CRO happens to be headed up by the father of Miguel and Brenda Aviña, the guitar-wielding siblings at the heart of iZCALLi. This family makes beautiful music together, and Denver music fans are the lucky recipients of its well-honed talents. Catch iZCALLi and EL CRO together again at Levitt Pavilion on June 7.

izcallirock.com

Ethan Lee McCarthy is no stranger to conjuring terrifying sounds. In fact, the longtime local musician and producer takes pride in delivering scathing reverberations. But somehow, McCarthy’s latest album, Incorporeal, from his solo project Spiritual Poison, is the scariest, most disturbing music he’s ever pulled from the recesses of his morbid mind. When the first single, “Place of Peace,” came out, he said he “wanted it to sound like a long journey through an otherworldly doorway.” Yeah, a doorway to horrors previously unknown to mankind. Then there’s “Summon,” which just might awaken a long-dead deity buried 20,000 leagues under the sea. If Robert Eggers needs a composer for his next period-correct film about a Victorian-era insane asylum, Spiritual Poison would be perfect.

spiritualpoison.bandcamp.com

Cherished, formerly known as Lowfaith, has been around for nearly a decade, but hadn’t been very active in recent years — until the group released a new four-song EP, other bodies, at the beginning of the year and reinvented itself. With Cloe Madonna (also of local hardcore band Destiny Bond) on vocals, Cherished oozes pensive indie pop. “Weekend Girlfriend” is a heartbreaking ballad about unrequited love, while “Petals” ponders a similar sentiment. Elsewhere, “Slaughterhouse, Where I Laid” and “False Chorus” come to grips with that feeling of being strung along for too long. There’s something melancholic yet comforting about Cherished’s music. It’s the soundtrack to a breakup, but it feels more like an empathetic friend who’s going through their own heartache yet is still there for you.

cherishedsound.bandcamp.com

Not too long ago, emo bands were known for being whiny and melodramatic. But that woe-is-me stereotype is tired and gone, thanks to groups like Creek. The four-piece marries emo and shoegaze to make moody “emogaze” that hits like a Charles Bukowski poem about life’s inherent banality. Creek recently announced it had finished working on its third EP at Lakewood’s Swadley Studios, which is owned and operated by the group’s guitarist and vocalist, Jared Barnes. But until that doom-and-gloom opus is released, a trio of singles — “Moving On,” “Forgetting” and “Past Lives” — should be more than enough to hold you over, if not send you into a downright spiral about all your mistakes and misgivings, you sad sap.

creekco.bandcamp.com

Hellocentral’s music can’t help but make you feel like you’re on the bus to school, in all black, with headphones over your ears. The indie band’s lyrics are the perfect mix of rage and angst that take you right back to being sixteen and smoking cigarettes behind your high school. If you were an avid listener of Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “American Idiot” back in the day, you’ll be a fan of Hellocentral. This is your cue to grab a ticket to one of the band’s next shows, and don’t forget your black eyeliner and beanie.

hellocentral.live

Broken Record vocalist/guitarist Lauren Beecher told us that back when the band got started in 2017, its sound was “between genres.” But it’s safe to say that she and members Corey Fruin (bass), Nick Danes (drums) and Matt Dunne (guitar) have found their rhythm in the emotive, powerful “stadium emo” that’s showcased on the band’s August 2023 record, Nothing Moves Me. The ten tracks were recorded in Beecher and Fruin’s basement studio, but the sound begs to be blasted in a stadium — and Broken Record achieved that when its song “See It Through” was played at an Avalanche game last December.

brokenrecordisaband.com

Bury Mia proves that pop-punk wasn’t just a phase, Mom. Justin O’Neal (guitar/vocals), Devin Martinez (bass/vocals), Stevan Alt (guitar) and Marcus Allen-Hille (drums) have stayed true to their roots since 2015 and are now finally reaping the benefits of keeping the energetic genre alive. Since dropping the album Somewhere Between Where We Are and Where We’ve Been in 2022, the Bury Mia boys have been busy sharing several singles, including the most recent, the Zoolander-inspired “What Is This? (A Song for Ants).” In a parallel universe in which Hot Topic still featured the Gates of Hell entrance, Bury Mia merch would be proudly displayed on the T-shirt wall alongside that of Blink-182 and Jimmy Eat World.

burymia.com

Grip it and rip it. Full throttle. Boneshaker. These are all biker terms that also describe the rowdy rock and roll of power trio Pink Fuzz. Brother-and-sister duo John and Lulu Demitro, along with drummer Forrest Raup, embrace the free-spirited ethos perfectly, particularly on their 2018 debut album, Speed Demon. Pink Fuzz released the single “Decline” at the beginning of the year, and yep, it kicks ass. Even if you’ve never experienced life on two wheels, Lulu’s psychedelic vocals and John’s crunchy guitar work will have you feeling as cool as Peter Fonda on Captain America. After a brief tour run to kick off 2024, don’t be surprised if Pink Fuzz lands a gig at the Full Throttle Saloon during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this summer.

pinkfuzz.bandcamp.com

Pure Colorado country is found in CW & Twenty Hands High; the band even won Entertainer of the Year from the state’s Country Music Hall of Fame last year. And it’s all thanks to legendary local musician Hazel Miller, who encouraged Chad Wooten to start the band after hearing him sing at a karaoke night in 2016. Within seven months, Wooten had formed Twenty Hands High, which has gone on to win fans with its nostalgia-inducing country tunes and covers of songs by such artists as the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Grab your cowboy boots and two-step your way to a CW show!

twentyhandshigh.com

Country music meets folky Americana with a twist of grit in Courtney Whitehead’s project, Bison Bone. On the outfit’s new EP, 40 Grit, Whitehead (vocals/guitar), Tony Piscotti (bass), Adam Blake (drums) and Eric Tate (guitar) apply country’s classic twangs to melodic vocals and rhythmic guitar over earnest lyrics on such songs as opening track “Blue Collar Hard.” Each song paints a clear picture with sentimentality and romanticism, making it the perfect Sunday-morning album to soothe the blues. Bison Bone will open for Buffalo Nichols at Levitt Pavilion on June 13.

bisonbone.com

The musical stylings of neo-soul band Jade Oracle always captivate its audience, thanks in part to the dulcet voice of lead singer Coy Lim. Lim is a classically trained vocalist, pianist and composer who studied with several notable musicians at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Although her résumé is impressive, her voice speaks for itself — literally. She possesses an impressive range that exceeds four octaves, and her sweet, clear vocals add a mystical touch of siren song to Jade Oracle’s bewitching, jazzy soundscape. Lim’s debut EP, Mirror, Mirror, dropped on Spotify in August 2022.

jadeoraclemusic.com

Indigenous activist, visual artist and spoken-word performer Gregg Deal wanted to put a spoken-word piece to music, and that led to his forming a band, Dead Pioneers, which released its eponymous debut album, recorded at the Blasting Room, last September, and grabbed attention with several concerts. One show, at Seventh Circle Music Collective, was recorded for the “Bad Indian” music video, which is interlaced with scenes of Deal confronting Native stereotypes. The music, the scenery and the lyrics are pure punk, and so is the album. The band’s already gotten half a million streams, and we see it going far.

deadpioneers.bandcamp.com

Oscar Russ founded Sailor Records in 2011 to release the debut album of his band Lords of Fuzz, but as his studio began to help out other bands, he realized he was on to something (as well as a tax write-off). Now the label lists fifteen bands that it represents, and locals know it’s a big deal to be signed. With the tagline “Music We Believe In and Live By,” Sailor Records focuses on quality over quantity, only signing bands that put in serious effort. For proof, take a listen to the release from local band Ipecac that the label put out last year.

sailorrecords.com

An example of how the city’s tight-knit music scene only begets more creativity, Mean World Records launched in September 2023 after Hunter Bates moved to Denver and joined the band Magnolia Grove, where he met his fellow label co-founders, Jason Kaplan and Jake DeMarco. The three created the label in 2023, and it now represents Shady Oaks, the Losers Club, In Plain Air, the Study Abroad, Death Rali, Tarantula Bill and more. Mean World Records is committed to serving the DIY community, and we see that community growing with its help.

meanworldrecords.com

Convulse Records has grown a lot in just a little over five years. Founder Adam Croft began the label in 2018 when he was living in Laramie, Wyoming, as a way to help fellow musicians and friends there. After he moved to Denver the next year, the music community readily welcomed him into the fold, and Convulse now has 26 bands on its roster from Denver and beyond. Convulse makes vinyls, cassettes and T-shirts, too, reflecting the DIY culture it helps to foster.

convulserecords.com

We chose Unit-E Records, champions of the growing art community, as Denver’s Best DIY Venue back in 2012, when it was just a rented-out space in the Art District on Santa Fe. It was the best place to go during First Friday Art Walks, because you always knew there would be art worth seeing and music worth hearing. Now, over a decade later, that DIY ethos is being channeled into a record label designed to provide opportunities for local artists and encourage supporters through its record subscription program. The label might be relatively new, but it’s already started bolstering its roster with rising stars such as Cherokee Social and Machete Mouth alongside Denver mainstays RAREBYRD$ and Wheelchair Sports Camp, among others.

unitedenver.org

May Be Fern has been rocking Denver since 2022, but the band really captured our attention this year. With a unique, intentional and well-curated sound, the four-piece describes its music as “queer funk rock,” and yes, that’s just as amazing as it seems. Take a listen to the group’s debut album, Okay Grandma, Your Turn, which showcases May Be Fern’s breadth of talent, from funky licks on each instrument to clever lyricism delivered through powerful, melodic vocals. We only anticipate more greatness to come from Kate Fern (vocals/bass), Hannah May (vocals/keys), Madi Spillman (guitar) and Evan Jeffers (drums/vocals).

maybefernband.co

Sheer talent dedicated to pure, raw hard rock — that’s Ipecac. The band delivers unbridled performances that hurtle audiences to the golden ages of the genre with a healthy dose of punk and grunge, too, evoking such greats as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Hole. The members are natural-born rock stars: Vocalist Isabella Osborne is a powerhouse, whipping across the stage with mic in hand, while founding member/guitarist Ariadnee Ziady tantalizes the audience with heavy, crushing chords and solos alongside fast-and-furious drumming from Kanyon Dickerson, all of it held down by Tayte Eubanks’s masterful bass. The band’s self-titled EP was released in September 2023 and has kept us hooked while we check Ipecac’s socials and website for upcoming shows.

ipecacrocks.com

The ’70s are alive and well in Velvet Daydream, the new psychedelic rock-and-roll band from Broomfield that wowed us with its self-titled debut album, released in October 2023. Reminiscent of such greats as Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and the Rolling Stones, the four-piece has also won our hearts with its live shows, which include plenty of headbanging and top-tier musicianship from members Nick Schwartz (drums/keys/vocals), Ryder King (guitar/vocals), Jude Pfanstiel (bass/vocals) and Kaeden Keys (guitar/vocals). If you’ve ever wished you’d been at Woodstock, put these guys on your list of bands to see.

thevelvetdaydream.com

If you’re an underground music fan and tend to frequent shows at the hi-dive or Skylark, you’ve probably seen Horse Bitch perform and thought, “What the fuck are they saying?” Take the lyrics “I’m gonna start a Harry Styles stan account that gets so big that I can’t go out in public,” for example, in “a song about fuck,” from the 2021 album RIP Pistachio, or “Getting fucked up on cough syrup the night we slept inside your car,” on “a song about cough syrup.” You might not know what they mean, but once you learn the words, the live shows will have you banging your head and screaming every syllable. After listening to pretty much any music afterward, you’ll come to realize that no one writes lyrics like Horse Bitch.

horsebitchbandcamp.com

A reveille (from the French for “wake up”) is the morning bugle signal used in the military, and this Reveille knows just how to arouse your body and stir your spirits. The rhythm-and-blues swamp-pop crew might sound like it was born on the bayou, but that’s only true of the band’s frontman. Hailing from Cajun country (aka Louisiana), “Rootbeer” Richie Richardson spent time rambling from town to town and soaking up new sounds before eventually landing in the Mile High City. That odyssey resulted in a formidable eight-piece Denver supergroup of experienced rockers who always bring their best soul-shaking chops to the table.

rootbeerrichie.com

If giving a shit is hot, then consider Los Mocochetes an active Colorado volcano. Not only is each and every bandmember a multi-disciplined artist, but they are all extremely dedicated to community activism. The charming Chicano funk outfit has often been described as making “protest music you can dance to,” and its socio-politically charged lyrics accomplish that task with wit as sharp as a machete. The ever-evolving, intoxicating sound helps set the stage for these hardworking hometown heroes and their like-minded comrades to create and hold space for all that need it.

losmocochetes.wixsite.com/mocoso

The city’s musical history would have a gaping hole in it if Hazel Miller’s U-Haul hadn’t broken down in the Mile High on the way to California. The soul singer decided to stay, and cemented herself as an icon in the city. She was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame last year, after making her way up through open mics in Five Points to performing with her band, the Collective, and singing with Herbie Hancock in Japan. She’s performed the national anthem at Broncos games and belted out songs in the White House for President Bill Clinton. Miller has big love for Denver, and will be singing with the Collective this summer at City Park Jazz. Bless her soul.

hazelmiller.biz

Raymond Suny and Steve Hartman of the Sickly Hecks have always been DIY punks at heart, but they’re not afraid to embrace a potential pop crossover. After all, they’ve always understood that the foundation of most punk bands is still just a bastardization of pop music. So after they graduated from rowdy house shows to self-producing their work on a DIY label, it was not surprising to find that they had somehow become a boundary-pushing post-punk powerhouse. As the musicians continue to grow, so will the band evolve musically. But the Sickly Hecks will always remain tethered by Suny’s melancholic “sad boy” melodies.

thesicklyhecks.com

Formerly known as Whiskey Autumn, the Denver duo of Greg Laut and Jason Paton dissolved that project in 2020 and almost immediately reincarnated as Little Trips. At that point, Laut and Paton had to wait until the world wasn’t shut down to record their debut album, but that gave them plenty of time to write new material and recruit a new member in Tiana Thakur. Several years later, the new sound has been polished to a shimmering psychedelic gem. There are plenty of danceable rhythms woven into Little Trips’ trippy tapestry of imaginative indie dream pop, and the band welcomes you to the beach party inside your mind.

littletrips.co

Indie power duo the Mañanas have been releasing music since 2020, dazzling audiences with concerts at venues such as Lost Lake Lounge and festivals like the Underground Music Showcase. Lead vocalist and principal songwriter Brandon Unpingco and bassist/producer Danny Pauta, founder and director of Soundbreaker Records, found common ground in their love of ’50s and ’60s rock, and took that sound to new heights with the Mañanas. Just take a listen to 3000, the full-length the two released last May, which welds indie sonics with pop rock around positive lyrics. It’s the perfect album to cheer you up when you’re down or lift your happiness even further, and hearing it live is an experience you won’t want to miss.

themananasband.com

There is something so comforting about shoegaze music — slow and melodic, with soft vocals and sometimes sweet, sometimes morose (but realistic) lyricism. You’ll find it all on Kept, the latest project from indie dream-pop outfit Corsicana, which released the album single by single. If you’re a fan of Death Cab for Cutie or the Shins, Corsicana is the band for you. Ben Pisano started the project in 2015 as a vehicle for his songwriting, and he’s joined by bassist and synth player Jordan Leone, drummer Sumner Erhard and guitarist Nicki Walters. The album is soothing and heavenly, perfect for when you’re crying your eyes out, feeling nostalgic or living one of the happiest moments of your life. Watch out, Bon Iver.

corsicanamusic.bandcamp.com

Kiltro took its name from quiltro, the Spanish word for street dog, and as founder Chris Bowers-Castillo suggests, the band blends together varied sounds similar to the way street dogs in his native Chile find help from many community members. The local outfit has become known for its Chilean folk sound infused with indie, synth and world music — sonics completely unique to Kiltro. On the band’s 2023 album, Underbelly, the lyricism is incredibly poetic, giving the mind no choice but to fuse with iridescent scenery and fall into a dreamy prism of mystical energy. Cascading, layered synth, drums, bass and other unidentifiable, ambient sounds create an otherworldly effect, transporting listeners to an entirely new world.

kiltromusic.com

The psychedelic blues rock of Shady Oaks is the perfect accompaniment for drinking a beer at a cozy tavern after a day of skiing or snowboarding. The five-piece, complete with a five-string electric violinist, also doesn’t shy away from country inflections that, along with rock and Western influences, make the band’s sound uniquely Coloradan. It’s just what you need after a long day on the slopes…especially if you’re sitting in traffic on I-70. The group’s latest singles are sure to quell any simmering road rage.

shadyoaksband.com

The Crooked Rugs have been rocking out of Fort Collins since 2019, and each of the band’s releases has shown an ability to dip into varied genre pools while maintaining a cohesive sound. Whereas 2022’s Tales of the Great Western Sky added Western elements to its psych rock, the group dabbled in shoegaze and prog rock for Metropolis, which was released last March and takes listeners on a winding psychedelic journey they won’t want to end. Crooked Rugs shows are just as amazing: The band plays in Denver often, and will be taking to the road this year to spread its acid-tinged sonics far and wide.

thecrookedrugs.com

In Plain Air is a three-piece psychedelic-rock band that began releasing music in 2022. It’s just the thing to listen to when you’re getting a little high…and you’re already up high. The band’s 2023 EP, Sunnyside, is a musical blend of dreamy guitar riffs that could easily send you into an alternate dimension (in a good way) when paired with the right strain. When your brain’s buzzing, you want to avoid anything that might send you too far over the edge, but Plain Air’s sonic sweet spot is sure to keep you in check.

@inplainairband

Ritmo Cascabel has blown us away with raucous concerts in which every audience member is absolutely immersed in the band’s blend of psychedelic rock and cumbia. It’s a sound unique to the five-piece, and it came from studying chicha, a Peruvian form of cumbia that began in the ’60s and meshes cumbia, Andean music and vals criollo with surf and psych rock. Having formed just before the pandemic, Ritmo Cascabel released its Ritmo EP in 2022, but the band fully realized its sound on its self-titled debut album, released last August. Just one listen and you’ll know it’s a band you have to see live.

ritmocascabel.bandcamp.com