Nov 302012
 

Photo: Jim J. Narcy

As usual, there is plenty going on this weekend in the Denver live music scene. If you want to catch a live show but you’re trying to figure out what to attend–well, that’s what I’m here for. Here are just a few suggestions. You’re welcome.

FRIDAY, NOV. 30

Denver indie-folk/punk band Tin Horn Prayer are having a CD release show at the Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax in Denver. Opening acts include The Gamits, The Photo Atlas and Anchor Point. Tickets are $15 plus service charge, available through Bluebird Theater. Doors at 8:30 PM; show starts at 9:30. Ages 16+.

Local alt-country act The Hollyfelds are also releasing a new CD with a show at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Opening the show are The Yawpers and Marty Jones. Tickets are $10 each, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

SATURDAY, DEC. 1

Denver pop/rock outfit Rachel and the Kings will be headlining a show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Opening acts include Mr. Right and Roniit. Tickets are $7 each, available from the Hi-Dive; service charge may apply. Doors at 8:30 PM; show starts at 9:30. Ages 18+.

NOV. 30-DEC. 1

Jam-rock band moe. are making a two-day stop in Denver, playing Friday and Saturday night at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax. Local acts will open the show each evening: Yamn opens Friday night, and The Congress kicks things off on Saturday. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 day of show each evening, available through Ogden Theatre. Two-day passes are available for $50 each. Service charges apply. Doors at 8:00 PM nightly, shows begin at 9:00. Ages 16+.

Have a terrific weekend!

Nov 262012
 

Photo: Laura Crosta

If you’re the least bit familiar with the Denver live music scene, you probably already know that the Larimer Lounge is known as a loud venue. By “loud”, I don’t mean the volume of the music, but the volume of the crowd. Generally, the later it gets, the more talkative the audience gets, to the point that bands sometimes have to work a bit harder to make themselves heard.

So when Rachael Yamagata brought her fall tour to the Larimer Lounge last Saturday night and kicked off her set with a decidedly soft, down-tempo number, the hush that fell over the crowd marked a true feat of talent and stage presence, evoking looks of utter disbelief all around. “I’ve never heard the crowd this quiet,” remarked one bartender.

What arrested the crowd’s attention so profoundly? Perhaps they wanted to hear the music.

In reality, singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata’s current tour is quite different from what she’s done in times past. Her previous album Chesapeake leaned more toward uptempo tunes, while her new EP Heavyweight (released digitally last week, with physical copies for sale Nov. 27) is more reflective, with plenty of lush string and piano arrangements. To that end, Rachael wanted to put together a show that echoed the vibe of the new album, so instead of a full rhythm section, she brought string players.

To the Larimer Lounge.

Yep.

“I’ve gone out before with full bands and sort of the rock show, and it’s been a certain type of energy that’s been awesome,” Rachael said in a recent interview. “This just seemed like something I hadn’t tried in a while.”

Rachael gave fair warning to the crowd as she opened her set, apologizing in advance to anyone who had expected a rock show. “We’re gonna depress the hell out of you,” she said, tongue in cheek, then proceeded to open with a melancholy, string-heavy ballad, dark, haunting and beautiful.

The result was captivating. The room quieted down because people wanted to hear this side of Rachael Yamagata.

The tempo never really picked up much through the course of the show–nor was it expected. However, the mood was lightened in between songs by Rachael’s onstage wit, funny stories and interactions with the crowd. At one point, she lost her place in one of the songs with a case of the giggles, apologizing to the crowd for being “loopy.” While the mood of the music itself remained somber, it was apparent from the relaxed atmosphere that she and her band were enjoying themselves. And it was also apparent that the audience was enjoying it.

If you have a chance to catch Rachael Yamagata at one of her future tour stops, you definitely should. This tour is a rare treat from a gifted songwriter, worth catching–so I’m including her remaining tour dates below.

November 26, 2012
The Varsity Theater
Minneapolis, MN

November 27, 2012
City Winery
Chicago, IL

November 28, 2012
Radio Radio
Indianapolis, IN

November 30, 2012
Mr. Small's Theatre
Pittsburgh, PA

December 01, 2012
Virgin Mobile Mod Club
Toronto, ON

December 03, 2012
La Sala Rossa
Montreal, QC

December 04, 2012
Paradise Rock Club
Boston, MA

December 05, 2012
Joe's Pub
New York, NY

December 07, 2012
First Unitarian Church - Sanctuary
Philadelphia, PA

December 08, 2012
The Night Cat
Easton, MD

December 09, 2012
U Street Music Hall
Washington, DC

December 10, 2012
Local 506
Chapel Hill, NC

December 12, 2012
Vinyl
Atlanta, GA

December 13, 2012
The Bottletree
South Birmingham, AL

December 14, 2012
3rd & Lindsley
S Nashville, TN
Nov 162012
 

Denver electro-pop artist Roniit.

Searching for some great live gigs in Denver this weekend? There are plenty of ’em, as usual. To help narrow the search, here are a few suggestions from the cream of the crop.

FRIDAY, NOV. 16

Local blues/funk band Chris Daniels & the Kings will be headlining at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Tickets are $10-$15, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

Denver folk-rock act Grub Street Writer will be performing at The Walnut Room, 3133 Walnut St. in Denver. Opening acts include Poet’s Row and Jon Boland. Tickets are $7 each, available from The Walnut Room. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Local electro-pop artist Roniit is having an EP release show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Openers are Eldren and AdrienneO. Tickets are $8 each, available from the Hi-Dive. Service charge may apply. Doors at 8:00; show starts at 9:00. Ages 18+.

SATURDAY, NOV. 17

Hot Congress Records is having a showcase at 3 Kings Tavern, 60. S. Broadway in Denver, featuring local acts Achille Lauro, Shady Elders, Kissing Party, Hindershot and Fingers of the Sun. Tickets are $7 each, available through 3 Kings Tavern. Service charge may apply. Show starts at 9:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Indie-folk act the Ben Sollee Trio is making a tour stop at Swallow Hill Music (Daniels Hall), 71 E. Yale in Denver. Opening the show is Luke Reynolds (Guster). Tickets are $18 each, available from Swallow Hill. Discount given to Swallow Hill members. Show starts at 8:00 PM. This show is all-ages.

Have a great weekend!

Nov 092012
 

Photo: Shelby McQuilkin

The weekend is here again, and the election is over. What better way to blow of steam than with some live music? If you’re in Denver this weekend, here are some suggestions to sort through the many gigs going on.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: QUIDAM, NOVEMBER 9-11

Okay, so this isn’t technically a live music gig on its own–but live music is a major part of the show. I caught Quidam earlier this week, and both the acrobatics (and the music score, played by a live ensemble) are absolutely spectacular. The show is at 1stBank Center in Broomfield from now until Sunday night, and tickets start at $35. It’s well worth it to catch this show while it’s in town. For showtimes and ticket information, visit 1stBank Center’s website. Cirque du Soleil Quidam is an all-ages event.

JEN KORTE & THE LOSS, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9

Local folk-rockers Jen Korte & the Loss are headlining at The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. in Denver. Also appearing are Wheelchair Sports Camp, Juniper Trees and dena harry. Tickets are $7-$10, available from The Walnut Room. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 21+.

EMERSON HART, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Tonic frontman Emerson Hart is bringing his solo show to the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Opening act is local guitarist/songwriter Dave Preston. Tickets are $20-$25, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

SOMETHING UNDERGROUND, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Denver rockers Something Underground will be headlining at the Little Bear Saloon, 27895 Hwy 74 in downtown Evergreen. $10 cover at the door; band goes on at 9:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Happy weekend!

Nov 022012
 

Here they are–your weekly Denver live music weekend picks. If you’re looking for some great gigs this weekend in the Mile High, give these a gander.

FRIDAY, NOV. 2

Local alt-rock band Glass Delirium is having a CD release show at the Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway in Englewood, to celebrate the release of their new album Diamond Lullabies. Opening acts include Vices I Admire, Your Own Medicine and Roniit. Tickets are $10 each plus service charge, available from Gothic Theatre. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. This is an all-ages show!

Denver indie-folk duo I’m With Her celebrates the release of their new EP Songs We Said Goodbye To with a show at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Opening the show is Jalen Crossland. Tickets are $10 each, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

Indie-pop act Tilly and the Wall are making a tour stop at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Opening acts include Icky Blossoms and local band Princess Music. Tickets are $15 each (plus service charge, available from the Hi-Dive. Doors at 8:00 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 21+.

SATURDAY, NOV. 3

My Old School, a Denver-based Steely Dan tribute band, is playing a show at The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. in Denver. Tickets are $10 advance, $13 day of show, available from The Walnut Room. Service charge may apply. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Have a great weekend!