So this weekend in Denver, over 300 indie bands (both locals and passers-thru) are gracing 20-plus stages along South Broadway in the Underground Music Showcase. Often billed as Denver’s version of SXSW, it’s a great deal for music lovers. Forty bucks for four days of music. Not bad. 
I have a lot of friends playing the showcase this year, so between showing them some love and catching new bands I haven’t seen yet, I’ve got my boat loaded.
So what am I doing in my few minutes of down time? Blogging about it.
Seriously, I thought I’d keep a running diary through the four days, giving a few of my impressions, and a “top pick” for my favorite act each night. So here goes…
DAY 1 (Thursday, July 22)
The UMS box office is in a vacant lot next to one of the many venues on S. Broadway. I pick up my wristband, and discover that it’s one of those small plastic you-can-drink-in-the-bars kind of bands that is NOT refastenable, so if you take it off, you ruin it. And it’s good for all four days, and you HAVE to wear it, not just carry it around. This means I have to either keep it on for four days, or figure a way to re-fasten it day to day. I choose option 2.
Opening night is the slowest, with only a few venues and artists starting off. Still, I’m able to catch all or part of the sets of five acts, and I’m already impressed with the diversity just within the music I heard. These are the acts I caught, and the best genre that describes them for me:
- Alan Baird Project–indie rock
- Chella Negro–Americana
- Sarah Slaton–indie/acoustic
- Paean–experimental/atmopheric
- Jeremy Messersmith–indie/acoustic
My pick of the night: Paean
I had some prior experience with Paean, having reviewed their record. The down side of their set was that they are a larger band and were packed onto a tiny stage like so many sardines, and some of the bandmates had to have their backs to the crowd just to fit onstage. Also, the vocals were too low in the mix, and when I could hear the lead singer, it was that strange, half-singing-half-screaming, I-am-in-great-pain kind of sound I’ve talked about before. But there is a passion and vibe in the music of this band that is absolutely captivating, with songs that tend to start minimalistically, and crescendo to a fever pitch. Once again, I found myself forgiving the vocals in favor of the music.
More to come!