Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, and More Weekend Concerts

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, the Colorado Hardcore Toy Drive and Papadosio are all great options to kick off your weekend.

By Chris Speed

December 15, 2023

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are hometown for the holidays at Ball Arena this week. nathanielrateliff / facebook

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Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats take over Ball Arena for the band's annual hometown holiday show on Friday, December 15, and Papadosio will be throwing its own party at Mission Ballroom on the same night.

Here are more concerts in Denver this weekend:

Colorado Hardcore Toy Drive

Friday, December 15, 6 p.m.
Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer Street
$25-$250
One of the most badass charitable movements in Colorado is back for its annual run, when local Denver establishments partner with local hardcore bands for a good cause. The Brutal Poodle, Squire Lounge, Matchbox, Gold Point, Little Black Church Tattoo and the Crypt are all accepting toy donations through Thursday, December 14. For every toy you donate, you will be entered into a raffle for a free ticket to the show, and there is no limit on entries. The legendary hardcore group Fight Like Hell will be reuniting (after fifteen years) to play this year's show, along with Mindforce, Direct Threat, Time X Heist, Wide Man and Eyes of Salt. Head on over to the official after-party at the Crypt, where punk and hardcore will be spinning all night!
Papadosio
Friday, December 15, 8 p.m.
Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop Street
$29.95-$60
Jazzy jamtronica band Papadosio never fails to impress Denver when it comes through town, having already headlined venues such as the Fillmore and Red Rocks. This year is no different as Papadosio brings us the "Dream Out Loud" experience that is set to be "a night of eclectic music and art" and will include fellow dance and jam-centric acts Desert Dwellers, Snakes & Stars and the 5AM Trio.
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Friday, December 15, 7 p.m.
Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle
$25-$129.50
The hometown heroes of the Night Sweats return for their nineteenth annual hometown holiday show, so swing on down for some soulful blues-rock tunes that'll make audiences hoot and holler all night. This year will see support coming from the rising stars of indie-rock outfit Mt. Joy and country singer-songwriter Jaime Wyatt.
King Bee
Saturday, December 16, 7 p.m.
Holiday Theater, 2644 West 32nd Avenue
$22-$44
The experimental art and dreamy folk-pop project King Bee is the brainchild of Fox Linnea Drickey, and along with a talented collective of artists and musicians, she has created a world full of "mystery, medicine and magic." This week the group will be joined by the ever enchanting Rainbow Chorus and Sound of Honey to unveil an immersive and interactive performance called "The Mystery," which doubles as a release show for the new Amethyst Heart album.
Domingueando
Sunday, December 17, 4 p.m.
Raíces Brewing Company, 2060 West Colfax Avenue
Free
The word "domingueando" roughly translates to "an easy and relaxing Sunday", and what better way to achieve that than by donning your Sunday best and making your way to one of the Mile High City's finest Latinx breweries and community hubs for some easygoing tunes from Denver's Los Bohemios?

Know of shows you'd like to see on this list? Send the details to [email protected]. Looking for more to do? Visit the Westword calendar.

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Chris Speed is Westword's concerts and clubs listings contributor and has worked in and around Denver's growing music scene for over a decade. In the past seven years, he has worn many hats at Westword, including working closely on the Westword Music Showcase team. In his spare time, he might be found retracing Edward Abbey's steps in the Southwest, binge-watching Twin Peaks for the 25th time or trying to find the best pad Thai in each city he visits.

Contact: Chris Speed