There is plenty to celebrate as we enter the last week of December. Even though it’s the week of Christmas, the Denver music scene still has concerts going on every single day. This week features a lot of killer Colorado talent that ranges from up-and-coming acts all the way to nationally recognized artists, all of whom consider Colorado their home. If you’re looking for some concerts to get out and see this week, we’ve got the full rundown for you below.
Monday, December 24
Recommended: Charlie Brown Christmas w/ Annie Booth Trio ft. Max Wellman @ Dazzle Jazz
To kick things off on Monday, Colorado jazz star Annie Booth and her trio are performing a Charlie Brown Christmas at Dazzle Jazz. There’s nothing quite like holiday traditions, and a Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic. Booth is a known name in the Colorado jazz scene, and if you haven’t had the chance to hear her yet, this is the perfect opportunity. If you’re looking for some jazz to fill your Christmas Eve with, come see Booth’s trio along with Max Wellman and get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit in the heart of downtown Denver.
Also see…
Motown on Mondays @ Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
Duane Mark w/ Fritz Johnson, Weepy Gringo @ Goosetown Tavern
Live Jazz Night @ The Meadowlark
Tuesday, December 25
Recommended: HARSHER X-Mas w/ DJ Sunshine, DJ Lexie, DJ Sara Splatter @ Hi-Dive
Moving right along to Tuesday, South Broadway’s Hi-Dive is hosting an EDM-themed Christmas show. “HARSHER X-Mas” is going to feature four DJs spinning under the names Harsher, DJ Sunshine, DJ Lexie and DJ Sara Splatter as they bring their talents and sounds to the Hi-Dive. If you’re looking to mix it up this year during Christmas, this will be the perfect way to do it. There is no cover for this show, which is all the more reason to check this event out as well.
Also see…
Bluegrass Tuesdays w/ Franklin & Friends @ Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple
Open Mic Night w/ Bobert @ The Meadowlark
Songwriter’s Open Mic w/ Anthony Ruptak @ Syntax Physic Opera
Wednesday, December 26
Recommended: Kiltro w/ Whole Milk, Cole Naylor @ Lost Lake
On Wednesday, Denver-based musician Kiltro is taking over Lost Lake. Kiltro is an experimental-Latin-folk artist who, after living in Chile and London, now calls Denver home. Chris Castillo’s (aka Kiltro) sound is beautiful and incredibly melodic. Earlier this year, Castillo dropped his first single “Ofelia” which is available on Spotify now and also acts as some great recommended listening. Fellow artists Whole Milk and Cole Naylor are joining Castillo as they get ready to hit the Lost Lake stage.
Also see…
STEAM Wednesdays @ Bar Standard
Peter Sommer Septet @ Nocturne Jazz
Open Stage Denver @ The Venue
The Lituation @ The Meadowlark
Jazz Jam w/ Kevin Matthews, Carl Sorensen @ Syntax Physic Opera
Thursday, December 27
Recommended: Billy The Poet w/ The Maykit, Hunter Burnette @ Larimer Lounge
On Thursday, Denver’s own Americana band Billy The Poet are making their way to Larimer Lounge. Billy The Poet’s sound combines the style of jam band music along with the classic roots sound of Americana which come together to make one hell of a groove. Fellow musicians The Maykit along with up-and-coming singer-songwriter Hunter Burnette are on the bill for Thursday evening as well. If you’re looking for some Colorado talent to check out this week, this is the show for you.
Also see…
NIGHTBRUNCH – Hollandaise Edition! @ Hi-Dive
Drink Drank Drunk @ Lost Lake
ARMNHMR @ Beta Nightclub
Rowan @ Lion’s Lair
Rico Jones: Countercurrent @ Dazzle Jazz
MicroNation Quintet @ Nocturne Jazz
Superbody w/ That Kid, More TBA @ Seventh Circle Music Collective
Motown Groove w/ DJ Aka Miggy @ Goosetown Tavern
Jim Lauderdale @ Soiled Dove Underground
Phishin Thursdays: Phour.O @ Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple
Mugshot w/ Crows, Kalfou, hindrance @ Herman’s Hideaway
Scott Brown’s Holiday Show @ The Venue
KMGLife Inc. Takeover @ The Black Box Lounge
Spoonbill w/ Sort of Vague, pheel., Elusiv3 @ The Black Box
City Hobgoblins w/ DJ Rankin Rajah (Hash from Thievery Corporation), DJ Tyler Jacobson (Mile High Soul Club), DJ Ginger Perry @ The Meadowlark
Sleepy Animals w/ Bluebook @ Syntax Physic Opera
Friday, December 28
Recommended: Blind Melon w/ Big Empty @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
If you’re looking to get into some ’90s music this week, we’ve got you covered. To end the work week this Friday, Blind Melon is taking over Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom. You might recognize some of Blind Melon’s early work like “No Rain” or “Change” which both came off of their 1992 self-titled release. Blind Melon’s music is easy to groove to and it’s just simply fun to listen to. Fellow artist Big Empty is joining Blind Melon as they make their way into the Mile High City this week.
Also see…
Gogol Bordello w/ Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas @ The Ogden Theatre
IHF w/ Volo, Special Guests @ Cervantes’ Other Side
Fortune’s Fool w/ The Burial Plot, Chain of Torment, Cyclonus, OurFather, XConvictedX @ The Marquis Theatre
Khemmis w/ Dreadnought, Green Druid @ Larimer Lounge
Morflo Holiday Hoopla @ Lost Lake
Funtcase @ Beta Nightclub
Fiesta Fridays @ Club Vinyl
Ritual Fridays ft. Claptone @ The Church
Animal House Toga Party w/ The Yawpers! ft. The Yawpers Playing Animal House Soundtrack @ The Oriental Theater
Kali Krone w/ Thatcher, Chris Shrift & The Rock N Roll Boys @ Lion’s Lair
Women In Jazz ft. Rekha Ohal (Day Set) @ Dazzle Jazz
The Ken Walker Sextet (Night Set) @ Dazzle Jazz
Freebar (Patrick McDevitt & Alejandro Castaño) (Late Set) @ Dazzle Jazz
Big Swing Trio @ Nocturne Jazz
Jazz Spiders w/ Artists TBA @ 3 Kings Tavern
Elizabeth Rose @ Goosetown Tavern
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club w/ DBUK, Midwife @ Globe Hall
Rocky Mountain Sirens ft. Wellington Bullings, Megan Burtt, Caitlin Cannon, Holly Lovell, Michelle Mandico, Monica Marie @ Soiled Dove Underground
Dead Floyd @ Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple
Tribute Night w/ Maiden Denver, Blind Dogs (A Tribute To Soundgarden), Black Tooth (Tribute to Pantera), Something For Tomorrow @ Herman’s Hideaway
Pandasaywhat?! w/ Tropical Waffle, DJ Waggles, Recycled Funk @ Your Mom’s House Denver
The String Cheese Incident w/ Sam Bush & Darol Anger @ 1st Bank Center
DJ Staxx + DJ Tommy B @ The Venue
The Solution w/ DJ Low Key + DJ Lazy Eyez @ The Black Box Lounge
Good For Health Bad For Education @ The Meadowlark
Temple Fridays @ Temple Denver
The Still Tide w/ Kyle Emerson, Oxeye Daisy @ Syntax Physic Opera
Saturday, December 29
Recommended: The String Cheese Incident w/ Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Tony Hall @ 1st Bank Center
On Saturday night, The String Cheese Incident is returning to the 1st Bank Center for their annual three-night run in celebration of New Year’s Eve. The String Cheese Incident is one of the most famous bands out of Colorado and has been on the move ever since they started back in the early ’90s. In 2018, they are celebrating their 25th year in existence. Fellow artists Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville and Tony Hall are joining SCI this year on Saturday night. You have three chances to see The String Cheese Incident in action, so act now before it’s too late.
Also see…
Gogol Bordello w/ Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas @ The Ogden Theatre
Rally ‘Round The Family (Rage Against The Machine Tribute) w/ Mom and Dad (ft. Members of Dopapod) @ The Bluebird Theater
STS9 w/ Tokimonsta @ The Fillmore
Marc Rebillet w/ Mikey Thunder, FLT (ft. Taylor Frederick, Eric Luba, Will Trask) @ Cervantes’ Other Side
Curren$y w/ Indigo Ace & JT Runninman, Old Man Saxon, PDF, Black Buddha @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
IO Saturnalia w/ SKYBURIAL, Adam Selene, Slim the Living Cyborg, Katalysk, Punk Rock Burlesque @ The Marquis Theatre
Khemmis w/ Of Feather and Bone, Nightwraith @ Larimer Lounge
Church Fire Album Release w/ Wheelchair Sports Camp, The Milk Blossoms, Mirror Fears @ Hi-Dive
Krizz Kaliko @ The Roxy Theatre
J Phlip w/ Boots N Cats @ Club Vinyl
Itchy-O New Years Trifecta w/ PPL MVR @ The Oriental Theater
Hydraform w/ The Blackouts @ Lion’s Lair
Saturday Breakfast Revival (Morning Set) @ Dazzle Jazz
Freddy Rodriguez & The Jazz Connection (Night Set) @ Dazzle Jazz
The Delta Sonics (Late Set) @ Dazzle Jazz
The Peter Olstad Quintet @ Nocturne Jazz
ZiMbira AfroFusion (Morning Set) @ Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
SNAP! ’90s Dance Party w/ DJ A-L @ Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
Nuns of Brixton (Clash Tribute) w/ Sexy Pistols, More TBA @ Goosetown Tavern
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club w/ Munly & The Lupercalians, Voight @ Globe Hall
Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven @ Soiled Dove Underground
Dead Floyd @ Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple
A Benefit for Suicide Prevention w/ Thousand Years Wide, Thousand Frames, A Vintage Future, Phil Riley and the Sweet Boys, Danny Masters Band, Mission 22, (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Colorado Chapter, Music is Life Colorado) @ Herman’s Hideaway
DJ Earl + Sinistarr w/ Moondoctor, Freshtilldef, Plain James @ The Black Box Lounge
Dark Tantrums + Ternion Sound w/ Sub.mission Resident Tag Sesh @ The Black Box
So What Brothers @ Herb’s
Temple Saturdays @ Temple Denver
Noisywaters @ Syntax Physic Opera
Sunday, December 30
Recommended: DeVotchKa w/ The Sweet Lillies @ The Bluebird Theater
To wrap things up this Sunday, Colorado’s own DeVotchKa is taking over The Bluebird Theater. Ever since 2000, DeVotchKa has done just about everything in the Colorado music scene. From scoring the 2016 run of Sweeny Todd at the Denver Performing Arts Center to scoring the soundtrack for the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine – this band can do anything. If you’re unfamiliar with their diverse sound, check out their 2018 release of This Night Falls Forever. Fellow artist The Sweet Lillies is joining DeVotchKa on Sunday night, making this a perfect way to end the week. In addition to their Sunday show, DeVotchKa is taking over The Bluebird on Monday night as well.
Also see…
The Infamous Stringdusters w/ The Drunken Hearts @ The Ogden Theatre
STS9 @ Summit Music Hall
Zilla ft. Michael Travis (String Cheese Incident), Aaron Holstein (VibeSquad), Jamie Janover w/ Soulacybin, Special Guests @ Cervantes’ Other Side
Wildermiss w/ The Solid Ocean, Panther Martin @ Larimer Lounge
The Beach Boys @ The Paramount Theatre
Itchy-O New Years Trifecta w/ Radio Scarlet @ The Oriental Theater
Octopus Tree w/ Cool Dill, Alfred & The Teddinators @ Lion’s Lair
The Adam Bodine Trio (Morning Set) @ Dazzle Jazz
6th Annual Solo Piano Night w/ Jeff, Art, & Eric @ Dazzle Jazz
El Javi (Morning Set) @ Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
Son Volt w/ Blake Brown and The American Dust Choir (Night Set) @ Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
Bear’s Choice ft. Dave Hebert of JGB (Day Set) @ Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple
Dead Phish Orchestra @ Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple
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