The Dixie Chicks are doing just fine, thank you, without the overwhelming radio support they one enjoyed.
The band, one of the most successful in contemporary country music, was quickly dropped from radio playlists after Natalie Maines criticized President Bush at a London concert in early 2003.
Since then other musicians, including Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, have loudly voiced their displeasure with the current administration, making the Dixie Chicks seem only slightly ahead of the cultural train. The band recently retracted an apology they made to Bush, standing by their original statement that they’re “ashamed” the president is from Texas.
Of course, controversy often sells records, and the Chicks have had no trouble milking it, as evidenced by the string of sold-out venues they leave behind. Their latest album, “Taking the Long Way,” debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, making Dixie Chicks the first female group in chart history to have three albums debut at No.1. The “Accidents and Accusations” tour will bring the Dixie Chicks to the Pepsi Center on Sept. 24 for an old-style rock show that emphasizes music over props.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($51-$80.50, Ticketmaster)
Social Distortion’s unlikely rise to mainstream success certainly didn’t happen overnight. Since forming in 1978 the L.A. band has endured dropouts, a death and leader Mike Ness’ heroin addiction. But its unapologetically rootsy punk has never really left the public consciousness, even if it hasn’t scored a radio hit since the ’90s. The band plays Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 15 with the Supersuckers and Nine Black Alps. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($30-$35.50, Ticketmaster)
“Bombay Dreams” may be all about India’s thriving film industry of Bollywood, but audiences of any nationality can relate to the musical’s themes of celebrity aspirations and the perils of success. Tickets for the July 11-23 run at the Buell Theatre go on sale Sunday. ($25-$60, denvercenter.org)
Sound Tribe Sector 9 and Jurassic 5 share more than an affinity for numerical noms de plume. Both are touring juggernauts that mine deep veins of instrumental jazz and hip-hop, respectively, which makes them sound positively timeless compared to their contemporaries. Both rose from the underground, building their sounds through nose-tweaking experimentation. The acts will co-headline Red Rocks on Sept. 9. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($35.25-$40, Ticketmaster)
Dwight Yoakam has fashioned his following through a lively, rootsy approach to honky-tonk music. The Kentucky native, also a prolific actor, enjoys a sterling reputation among many country revivalists for his traditional take on Bakersfield country. He’ll hit the Paramount Theatre on Aug. 17 as he tours behind last year’s “Blame the Vain.” Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($30.25-$45.25, Ticketmaster)
