For the last decade, the Seattle-based innovative pianist and composer Wayne Horvitz had been looking for an excuse to combine two of his groups: the Gravitas Quartet, a chamber ensemble, and Sweeter Than the Day, which has the same lineup as his previous project Zony Mash but in an acoustic…
The origins of the tale of Sweeney Todd can be traced back all the way to the 1840s. It was then that the character first made an appearance in the serial short story The String of Pearls. After going through several different amalgamations, the murderous barber finally reached wide acclaim in…
It was an incredible all-ages scene: Teens, middle-schoolers, even babies being held by excited parents were lined up outside Seattle venue Chop Suey last week by 4:30 p.m. for the Tacocat album release party. Tacocat decided to put on two shows that day: a 21 and up concert in the…
Denver Botanic Gardens announced its 2016 Summer Concert Series, including Ziggy Marley, Marc Cohn, Jose Gonzalez, Martin Sexton, Chris Isaak, UB40, George Benson and more. Tickets go on sale to the public on Tuesday, April 19 while pre-sale tickets Denver Botanic Gardens members run from Monday, April 11 through Monday,…
Playing modern blues is a delicate balance between playing original and inventive music while paying homage to the genre’s storied past. What separates the greats from the rest is not so much the structure and composition of the music, but more the attitude and spirit exuded while playing it. Tuesday…
Local dubstep promotion team Sub.mission has seen no shortage of success over the last few years, as it has signed artists, brought international acts to Denver and helped to define the thriving dubstep scene in the city today. This year, Sub.mission celebrates its ninth anniversary with a party and show…
You know that saying, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn’t exist”? After seeing Justin Bieber in concert at the Pepsi Center last night, I think the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was us convincing ourselves he’s more than a silver-throated young…
Tucked in the northeast corner of Ultra Music Festival near the UMF Radio stage, dozens are unabashedly grabbing condoms courtesy of the Florida Department of Health. Most pick up the flavored ones that come in pineapple and strawberry varieties, and there the confident few who grab the Magnum XL’s. (Just…
At the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) last summer, I watched as three (admittedly) small, skinny and awkward-looking kids took the stage at the 3 Kings Tavern and, as the crowd adjusted to the amount of distortion coming from the amp, announced that they were Residual Kid. The group is comprised…
Robin Pecknold, whose Seattle alt-folk band Fleet Foxes has somewhat vanished since 2011’s Helplessness Blues peaked at #4 on the Billboard chart, made for an interesting opening act last night at the Boulder Theater. At the age of 22 in 2008, Pecknold struck indie gold with haunting, creative tunes like…
Atlas Genius, made up of Australian brothers Keith and Michael Jeffery, along with a semi-revolving ensemble, will headline the Bluebird on Wednesday, April 6. Singer-songwriter Skylar Grey also performs. Known to many for the success of their 2013 debut album When It Was Now, and breakout single, “Trojans” (which reached No. 4 in…
The Vail Jazz Festival has recruited numerous internationally known jazz legends for more than two decades, and this season, which kicks off in July, is slated to be its biggest season ever. This year’s lineup includes veteran guitarist John Pizzarelli, Canadian trumpeter Bria Skonberg, young pianist Joey Alexander, Grammy-winning vocalist Cecile…
They say that there are only three sure things in life: death, taxes and Iggy Pop. The former Stooge simply doesn’t know how to do bad shows – he won’t allow himself the luxury of an off-night. While his age is showing quite vividly on his face and even moreso…
Justin Bieber brings his Purpose World Tour to the Pepsi Center tonight while Gary Clark Jr. headlines the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday. Also tonight Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett is at the Boulder Theater and Ra Ra Riot is at the Bluebird Theater. Lissie, Rita Wilson and Pete…
First Friday at Denver Open Media Foundation is extra-special today, as the nonprofit launches a major new media project – a radio station of the people by the people. Going live on June 3, Open Media’s low-power radio broadcast will air on 104.7 FM twenty-four hours a day, covering “most…
I’m half a football field away from Bruce Springsteen as he plays “Meet Me In The City,” and all I can think about is my father. I’m thinking about his vast vinyl collection, and how, when I was a kid and he wasn’t home, I would go through it. I…
Iggy Pop comes to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Saturday with Josh Homme and Dean Fertita (both of Queens of the Stone Age) and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders in support of his new album, Post Pop Depression. Legendary Los Angeles punk band X headline the Summit Music Hall…
If you ever wanted to go back to the Aztlan, now’s your chance. Tim Correa could write a book on the past thirty years of running the Aztlan Theatre with his wife Aurora. “We’ve seen it all,” he laughs. “More or less.” Upon entry to the front bar, the couple…
The inaugural edition of the Lafayette Electronic Arts Festival (or LEAF) takes place this Friday, April 1, at Founders Hall at Colorado Music Festival Center/Center for Musical Arts in Lafayette. The festival will feature live performances by artists who bring together music and visual components as part of an integrated…
Tom Petty and Mudcrutch, the pre-cursor to Heartbreakers he formed in 1970, kicks off its first national tour at the Ogden Theatre on Thursday, May 26. The band is releasing its sophomore release, 2 , on May 20 on Reprise. Tickets ($84.50) go on sale on Friday, April 1 at 10 a.m…
Joanna Newsom’s 2015 album Divers showcased how the songwriter could fill in her compositions with rich sonic colorings akin to orchestral arrangements. Newsom recorded with members of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. But her spare compositions have always been imbued with a haunting yet warm quality that transports the…
When Pete Townshend, lead guitarist and songwriter of the Who, said earlier this year that the band won’t be touring again after this “Hits 50” jaunt — was anybody really surprised? The writing has been on the wall for some time and the fact that Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey…
