Royal Otis, Golden Hours Fest and the Best Concerts in Denver This Week

Indie-pop sensation Hippo Campus returns to Red Rocks on Monday, May 6, and Blondie celebrates five decades of badassery at Mission Ballroom on Wednesday, May 8.

Denver just got another free festival called Golden Hours, which makes its debut at Riverfront Park on Saturday, May 11, and later that night, Royel Otis swings through Meow Wolf's Perplexiplex during the band's sold-out tour.

Keep reading for more of the best concerts in Denver this week:

Hippo Campus
Monday, May 6, 8 p.m.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway
$49.95-$54.50
Monday night bangers in Morrison are officially back! Come celebrate the summer concert season kicking off as the indie-rock phenoms in Hippo Campus return to Red Rocks this week with their first new material of 2024. Their single “Everything at Once” was released just last week, and signifies a pivotal moment in their careers as they depart from the conventional label model and join forces with Psychic Hotline Records. The fresh single also continues the new sound showcased on the band's last EP, Wasteland, which marked a shift from dance-pop toward a twangy Southern-rock sound. Asheville-based country rocker MJ Lenderman and New York indie artist Hannah Jadagu provide support.

Sam Evian
Tuesday, May 7, 8 p.m.
Globe Hall, 4483 Logan Street
$20
Sam Owens (aka Sam Evian) is not only an extremely talented musician known for his retro-rock earworms, but is also a well-respected producer. The sound wizard has built himself a beautiful studio in the Catskills, where some of his friends and rising stars (such as El Kempner of Palehound and Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief) have come to record and collaborate. Evian is currently on tour for his just-released fourth LP, Plunge, which is full of his usual psychedelia-soaked power pop ballads. His life partner — and equally talented singer-songwriter — Hannah Cohen provides support on the tour.

Blondie
Wednesday, May 8, 8 p.m.
Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop Street
$59.95
The tantalizing trailblazers in Blondie hardly need an introduction, as they've been at the top of the punk and new-wave scenes for five decades now. With its infectious fusion of rock, pop and punk, the band has carved out a unique sound that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Fronted by the incomparable icon Debbie Harry, Blondie emerged from the vibrant underground rock scene in New York City during the mid-’70s to become one of the most influential bands of its era. With their enduring energy and timeless vibes, the musicians have proven that true legends never go out of style. Although they haven't released another album since 2017's Pollinator, there are rumors that something new is in the works (fingers crossed).

Big Dopes
Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m.
Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 East Colfax Avenue
$15
A four-piece of ’90s-inspired indie pop, Denver's Big Dopes describes its music as "grampwave," and will be celebrating the release of the single "Moon Car" this week. Big Dopes caught our attention with the release of its sophomore album, Destination Wedding, in 2021, and we can't wait to see what the band has been cooking up since then. Denver up-and-coming indie artists Claire Heywood and Barbara open the show.

Denver Ukefest
Friday, May 10, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 11, 7 p.m.
Swallow Hill Music, 71 East Yale Avenue
$40-$130
Denver's "happiest little festival" returns for its seventeenth year to celebrate the ukulele instrument and its culture with concerts, workshops and community fun. Some of the best uke players around will also be in town to show us the ways of the four-string. Friday will see James Hill, John Nash, Casey Cormier and Daniella Katzir, while Saturday will have sets from Bryan Tolentino, Chris McGarry, Jem Zornow and the Denver Ukulele Community. Don't miss the free open-mic kickoff party at Brewability on Thursday, May 9.

Golden Hours Fest
Saturday, May 11, 2 p.m.
Riverfront Park, 1610 Little Raven Street
Free
Come check out this brand-spanking-new festival from the minds behind experiential marketing agency Two Parts (which is also responsible in part for Denver mainstays like the Underground Music Showcase). The daytime event will be nestled in the park between the South Platte River and the Denver Skate Park, and will have plenty of food trucks and pop-up bars that pair well with indie artists from near and far. The stellar lineup includes L.A.-based Australian indie-pop artist Hazel English; Denver psych-pop masters Flaural; Fort Collins folk duo Frail Talk; Afro-fusion DJ and innovator behind Denver's Love Language dance party series Destiny Shynelle; and Mile High DJs Miss Flowers and Desired Admired.

Royel Otis
Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m.
Meow Wolf (The Perplexiplex), 1338 First Street
$18
One of the best things that has recently risen to the top from "down under" might just be the indie-pop darlings of Royel Otis. After forming in 2019, the Australian duo gained worldwide popularity before it had even released a full album. Its debut LP, Pratts & Pain, only just dropped in February, but the band will be traveling the U.S. in support of the release on a string of completely sold-out shows. The fellow Aussies in alt-rock quartet Girl and Girl provide support throughout the tour. Unable to make it to the Meow Wolf show this week? Fret not, as the hardworking musicians will be back in October at the Ogden.

Yellow Days
Sunday, May 12, 8 p.m.
Bluebird Theater, 3317 East Colfax Avenue
$29.50-$32.50
Get lost in the hazy, soul-drenched world of Yellow Days and let the music carry you away to new dimensions of emotion and expression. The jazzy, psychedelic R&B project is the brainchild of British musician George van den Broek, who captivates his listeners with stirring vocals and introspective lyricism. He is currently touring for his cosmic concept album Hotel Heaven, which was released last month. East Coast soul and R&B group the Jack Moves provides support.

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.