The cream of the United Kingdom’s crop is on tour this fall – and the United States is representing too with its biggest and brightest.
Here are 15 fall shows you shouldn’t miss.
BLOC PARTY, THE KILLS, THE NOISETTES
Friday|Fillmore Auditorium
You bought this year’s “Silent Alarm” for “Like Eating Glass.” But you grew to love Bloc Party’s debut because of “This Modern Love,” “Banquet” and “Price of Gas.” This British post-punk band is evened out something fierce by vocalist Kele Okereke’s tuneful voice and epic stage presence. $20
GREEN DAY, JIMMY EAT WORLD
Sept. 19|Pepsi Center
Don’t wanna be an American idiot? Then don’t miss this show. $40.50-$45
OASIS, JET, KASABIAN
Sept. 20|Red Rocks
The Gallagher brothers are back at it – this time with Noel sharing the songwriting duties with Liam and the rest of the band. The results are surprisingly terrific. The new “Don’t Believe the Truth” is a testament to this group’s sustained creativity and brilliance. $45
FRANZ FERDINAND, PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES, CUT COPY
Sept. 27|Fillmore Auditorium
With “Take Me Out,” “Michael” and the other singles from Franz Ferdinand’s 2004 debut, the Scottish band made us dance and laugh. Look for a change-up with this show and the Oct. 4 release of “You Could Have It So Much Better.” $27.50
WEEZER, FOO FIGHTERS, KAISER CHIEFS
Sept. 30|Pepsi Center
This co-headlining tour will be great – but don’t get there late. The Kaiser Chiefs are one of the more interesting British bands out there. $29.50-$39.50
SYSTEM OF A DOWN, THE MARS VOLTA, HELLA
Oct. 2|Pepsi Center
This is one of the fall’s most coherent, simpatico bills, and the price of the ticket is justified because System’s ridiculously tight supra-rock – hear “B.Y.O.B.” and “Cigaro” from the newish “Mesmerize” – is every bit as good live as it is on record. $32.50-$45
NINE INCH NAILS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, AUTOLUX
Oct. 5|Pepsi Center
Trent Reznor and his crew have perfected arena rock over the past decade, and just as Nine Inch Nails’ new “With Teeth” is an amalgam of his past work, this tour should be among his best. $42.50-$49
DOLLY PARTON
Oct. 6|Lecture Hall at the Colorado Convention Center
Hello, Dolly. Her new record, “Those Were The Days,” is due out Oct. 11 and has everyone from Norah Jones to Alison Krauss singing harmonies. Look for this show to be one of reminiscence. $45-$65
BROOKS & DUNN, BIG & RICH, COWBOY TROY, THE WARREN BROTHERS
Oct. 7|Pepsi Center
Brooks & Dunn released “Hillbilly Deluxe” a few weeks ago. Meanwhile Big & Rich fans are still waiting for a proper follow-up to “Horse of a Different Color,” which was released more than a year ago. Still, it’s a big bill for the country duos – not to mention hick-hop. $39-$69
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, YOUTH GROUP
Oct. 8|Fillmore Auditorium
Members of the Official Ben Gibbard Fan Club, beware – this show could sell out quickly. Between Gibbard’s success with The Postal Service and Death Cab’s latest record “Plans,” he’s the indie boy du jour. $20
THE DECEMBERISTS, CASS MCCOMBS
Oct. 23|Paramount Theatre
Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy has a way with words. And his voice is hard to forget too. He and his band are powerhouse performers, and anytime they play is an occasion. $16.50-$20
IRON & WINE, CALEXICO
Oct. 26|Fillmore Auditorium
This collaboration on record (the new “In the Reins”) is gorgeous, with Calexico filling out Iron & Wine’s sparseness. Now see it live. $20-$22
GWEN STEFANI, BLACK EYED PEAS
Oct. 26|Magness Arena
This pop super-bill pits ain’t-no-holla-back girl Gwen against the Peas’ phunking “Bebot.” And that’s hot. $62.50-$72.50
PAUL MCCARTNEY
Nov. 1|Pepsi Center
You know what you’re getting here. Paul solo with a tight band visiting his songwriting from the past four decades. $45.50-$250
ROLLING STONES, JASON MRAZ
Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving)|Pepsi Center
“A Bigger Bang” is seeing positive reviews, but that doesn’t change the formula of the Rolling Stones. They’re still touring and playing the expected venues with mostly the same songs. It’s easy to be complacent about the Stones of late – until you get to the show and that all-too-familiar energy takes over. $64-$164
All shows are through Ticketmaster.
Pop music critic Ricardo Baca can be reached at 303-820-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com.
