No holiday in Denver is complete without a slew of shows and concerts, and the local live music lineup for Halloween 2016 is scary good. Since the holiday this year falls on a Monday, the festivities begin on Friday night and run through the beginning of the week. We welcome this self-declared long weekend with open arms, and bring to you your guide to live music on Halloweekend.
Widespread Panic
When: Friday, October 28–Sunday, October 30
Where: First Bank Center
Cost: $59.75; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: These southern rock-jam gods are back in Broomfield for a three-night stint at the First Bank Center. These shows will sell out, if they haven’t already reached that point, and we are not surprised. These guys from Athens, Georgia are a huge name amongst jam band fans, and Halloween with “WSP” is something special. On the third and final night of this run, expect crowds to be decked out in costumes that reflect on their favorite Panic songs – quite a sight to see.
Cherub
When: Saturday, October 29
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Cost: $39.95; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Denver’s love for electronic music is alive and well, so it’s only natural that duo Cherub would grace the Red Rocks stage at some point during this Halloweekend. Someone from the genre had to, and none better than these indie/electro-music-making Southerners.
Infamous Stringdusters
When: Friday, October 28 & Saturday, October 29
Where: Fillmore Auditorium
Cost: $52.50; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: One of the many bluegrass bands that come through Denver and the surrounding areas at least twice a year, the Infamous Stringdusters bring a big event to the Fillmore for what we expect to be two real rowdy nights of string music. Fans will be treated to different openers on each night, Friday rounding out the evening with some funk from Funky Meters and the Magic Beans, and Saturday kicking off the bluegrass music with the Lil’ Smokies and Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass.
Halloween on the Rocks with Mac Miller, Vince Staples & More
When: Monday, October 31
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Cost: $45; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: This one is pretty explanatory, but I’ll indulge. Only bigger names that draw crowds out have the opportunity close out the Red Rocks concert season – cue Mac Miller. It seems the opportunities for the young rapper are aplenty, and the infamous Red Rocks is no exception.
Good Charlotte
When: Sunday, October 30
Where: Gothic Theater
Cost: $29.50; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: This is one for adolescent selves, like Blink-182 last month or Ja Rule and Ashanti this past weekend. This concert is walk down memory lane, bringing back some of that 90’s punk-rock that was, and always will be (just admit it), so cool. Though the band fell out of circulation sometime after rising to stardom with “The Anthem” and “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous,” they’re back again to give the intimate audience in Englewood a taste of what we’ve all been missing.
Perpetual Groove
When: Friday, October 28 & Saturday, October 29
Where: Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
Cost: $27; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Also hailing from Athens, Georgia, Perpetual Groove is back from a significant hiatus, and ready to take Denver again by storm. Making their comeback with not just one but two shows over Halloweekend, this rock-fusion band is coming’ in HOT. With electronic and jam music virtually taking over Denver’s music scene, this addition to the live music circuit will be a breath of fresh air. During the two-night run, countless openers will be taking the Cervantes’ stage to welcome P Groove back into the business, including funk masters the New Deal.
Haunted Hearts
When: Friday, October 28
Where: TBD
Cost: $30; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Brought to you by the folks behind Desert Hearts and City Hearts and the promoters of Norad Dance Bar, Haunted Hearts has the ideal techno and electronic lineup to fulfill your creepiest Halloween desires. Bringing to the front range the best techno and electronic artists Southern California has to offer, Haunted Hearts’ Denver Halloween hopes to “see zombies, witches, ghouls, & ghosts take over the dance floor.” The venue has yet to be disclosed, adding a surprise to the already stacked night they’ve planned.
Naked and Famous
When: Monday, October 31
Where: Ogden Theater
Cost: $24.75; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: This female-fronted group from the land down under has taken the alternative-electronic world by storm with hits like “Punching In A Dream” and “Young Blood.” This Halloween, they’re taking over the Ogden stage to show us what they’re made of. One lady and four lads makes for a great combination, with front-woman Alisa Xayalith’s vocals setting the band apart from the rest of their genre. This is quite possibly the show to catch on the actual night of Halloween, and tickets are relatively cheap for the Ogden. Get ’em while they’re hot!
Cut Copy with Boyhollow & DJ Tower at LIPGLOSS Halloween Party
When: Friday, October 28
Where: Bar Standard –
Cost: $25; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Indie and underground DJ fans rejoice! A staple of Denver’s nightlife and live music scene, the LIPGLOSS series at Bar Standard is ringing in this Halloween with their annual bash, along with a Sci-Fi costume party. Cut Copy DJs will headline the evening, accompanied by Boyhollow and DJ Tower. This Halloween party will be the epitome of the Denver club scene, standing out amongst the endless competition in the front range.
SNAP! ’90s Halloween Dance Party
When: Saturday, October 29
Where: Ophelia’s
Cost: $15; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: DJ A-L (Aaron Ladley) and producer returns to Denver for another of his SNAP! dance parties, and this time the theme is, of course, Halloween. Nominated for best DJ/Producer by Westword last year, the accomplished Ladley is bringing his beloved dance parties to Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox on Saturday. Get ready to groove your night away with this 90’s-themed Halloween rager.
Classixx with Tiger & Woods
When: Monday, October 31
Where: The Church
Cost: $15; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Another one for all my underground/indie DJ lovers, Classics and Tiger & Woods will be co-headlining at the Church on Monday night to close out the long weekend of trick-and-treated festivities. This show might be one of the cheaper and easier options for your Halloween, while the rest of Denver will be a rather raucous and discordant time. Keep warm inside the intimate venue and dance your holiday away.