The Best Concerts in Denver This Week, March 13-16

Guitar wiz Adrian Belew, who’s worked with King Crimson, David Bowie and Frank Zappa, returns to the Boulder Theater on Tuesday with his power trio, while Ann Wilson of Heart takes over the Paramount Theatre on Wednesday. Also on tap this week are Residual Kid at Lost Lake Lounge, Etienne…

Roni Size’s Laid-Back, Multicultural Vibe Makes Jungle Accessible

Since the early ’90s, Roni Size has been a critical force in developing jungle and drum-and-bass. Born Ryan Williams, Size was the son of Jamaican immigrants in Bristol, England, and listened to dub and reggae from an early age. The inventive rhythms of both genres and dub’s soundscaping influenced the…

Jesse Manley Brings Dust to Syntax Physic Opera

Jesse Manley and his six-piece band will release their latest album, Dust, at Syntax Physic Opera, Friday, March 10. The recording represents the fourth time Manley has written music for the ballet company Wonderbound. This is quite the unusual partnership for a guy whose musical roots lie within the folk…

Samiam Saw Bon Jovi Play a Small Club and Thought He’d Never Be Big

Samiam came out of the same Berkeley, California punk scene that was fostered by the legendary DIY venue 924 Gilman Street. Coming along slightly after acts like Green Day and Operation Ivy, Samiam never gained as much commercial popularity as its predecessors. But the group tasted success. In the mid-90s,…

The Best Concerts in Denver, March 10-12

A number of acts perform two-night stands this weekend, including the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus, which perform its “Heartthrobs: The Evolution of the Boy Band” program at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Bro Safari at the Ogden Theatre, the New Mastersounds at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, the Greyboy Allstars at the…

Colorado Musicians on SXSW’s Deportation Threats to International Acts

Colorado bands performing at South by Southwest did not sign onto a petition that convinced the festival’s leadership to strike anti-immigrant language from its contract with artists. But many Mile High acts performing at SXSW find the contractual language objectionable and celebrate their fellow musicians for convincing the festival to…

Ed Sheeran Is Heading to Colorado This Summer

Ed Sheeran announced a North American tour today, March 8, and will stop by the Pepsi Center on August 15. Pre-sale starts Monday, March 13, at 10 a.m. and will go through Thursday, March 16. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 17, at 10 a.m. To register for pre-sale and…

Marty Jones Fears Playing Solo, but That’s Not Stopping Him

Marty Jones says he’s comfortable fronting bands, something he’s been doing for three decades — but he’s scared to death of playing by himself. Jones, who’s led the roots and rockabilly groups the Great Unknowns and the Pork Boilin’ Poor Boys, respectively, says there’s nobody to hide behind when playing…

Punk Alert: Rancid and Dropkick Murphys Announce Denver Stop

Punk legends Rancid and Dropkick Murphys are hitting the road on the From Boston to Berkeley Tour and will be playing Sculpture Park, in Denver, on Friday, August 11, at 7 p.m. “This is a dream come true for Dropkick Murphys,” said the band’s bassist Ken Casey, in a statement…

Westword Music Showcase Pre-Sale Runs March 7-9

Shakey Graves, the Revivalists, Cut Copy, Bob Moses and Coin will be headlining the 23rd annual Westword Music Showcase, set for Saturday, June 24, in the Golden Triangle, where they’ll be joined by 100 of Denver’s best acts. Tickets go on pre-sale today, Tuesday, March 7, at 10 a.m. The…

Tennis’s Homecoming: A Love Story That Almost Did Not Happen

Indie sweethearts Tennis lit up the Bluebird Theater on Saturday, March 4, just days before the March 10 release of the duo’s latest album, Yours Conditionally. In a night filled with strong emotions, married couple Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley performed to a sold-out audience and had much to say about…

Sixteen of the Best Denver Electronic-Music Events, March 2017

With one of the warmest Februarys on record, spring fever has hit earlier than expected. Your favorite DJs and electronic music artists are heating things up and filling up dates throughout March in the Mile High City.  If you’re looking to hit up a nightclub, dance in a large venue…

Vince Staples and Kilo Kish Are Making Pop Music Smart Again

Vince Staples is the kind of dream star that doesn’t come along often in pop culture. Off stage, he’s witty, bantering about everything from cold pressed juice to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. To see pure Staples gold, check out this 2016 appearance on Bill Simmons’s ill-fated HBO talk show Any…