Five of the Best Bands Playing Capitol Hill's Ultimate Music Experience

The Ultimate Music Experience (UMX), Denver's annual battle of the bands, takes place during the day on Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, at Pearl's; it's your chance to catch competing local bands and vote on the finalists that will perform at the Capitol Hill People's Fair, June 4-5 at Civic Center Park. This weekend's lineup of fifty bands playing two stages can be a bit intimidating, so we assembled a short list of some of the best bands on tap. You can find the complete schedule and other information here. The event is free both days.
...And The Black Feathers 
Mountain Stage
Saturday, April 2, 11:45 a.m.-12 p.m.
At the nexus of rock and Detroit-style soul, ...And The Black Feathers will provide the day's daily recommended dose of tuneful attitude.

Tickle Mafia
Westword Stage
Saturday, April 2, 4-4:30 p.m.
Though listed as a “Blues” band on the People's Fair website, Tickle Mafia is more like an improvisational jazz-pop band with R&B leanings.

Tnertle
Westword Stage
Saturday, April 2, 5-5:30 p.m.
Maybe this band says its music is “Samptronic,” but its chill version of electro-jazz is built on a foundation of the talents of some of the best players in the hip-hop, funk, jam-band and jazz worlds in Denver.

The Ephinjis
Westword Stage
Sunday, April 3, 11-11:15 a.m.
Though this band sounds like it's listened to a whole lot of Scottish and English street punk, the act is actually from Boulder, proving that punk didn't completely die off in the People's Republic in the '90s. With its high-energy live show, the Ephinjis will kick off Sunday's festivities with a bang.


Kaji 
Mountain Stage
Sunday, April 3, 3:45-4 p.m.
Kaji likes to keep things surprising, so even though its high-definition R&B alone is worth checking out, the band will probably have something special prepared to make its fifteen minutes at the festival special.