Critics seem quick to peg Morrissey, above, and Bjork as ’90s alt-rock icons, a tag that obscures the singers’ continued artistic excellence.
They burst onto the scene as leaders of seminal, ’80s-bred modern rock groups (Morrissey’s Smiths from England and Bjork’s Sugarcubes from Iceland) and both matured into solid, if unpredictable, solo artists.
They also command legions of rabid fans with their inimitably dramatic pipes. Rooted in pop, Bjork’s superhuman voice and adventurous, unclassifiable songs will be remembered among the most important of the late 20th/early 21st century. Morrissey takes a more conventional but no less artistically relevant route. His dark, poetic tales of turmoil blend knowing humor and bald romanticism – a crooner for the postmodern age.
Tickets for Morrissey’s May 9 Fillmore Auditorium show are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday ($42.50-$45, Ticketmaster). Tickets for Bjork’s May 15 Red Rocks Amphitheatre show are on sale at 10 a.m. today ($54, Ticketmaster).
Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band will fill the foothills with songs from their latest releases, “Oh, My Nola” and “Chanson du Vieux Carre,” when they hit Red Rocks Amphitheatre on June 7. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Monday ($39.50-$72.50, Ticketmaster).
Jethro Tull not only invented the rock-flute solo, the legendary band likely perfected it, too. That is, unless you can think of another that’s bested them? (I thought not.) The group visits the Buell Theatre on Oct. 10. That may seem like the distant future, but the fact that tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday means a likely sellout ($39.50-$79.50, Ticketmaster).
Rush helped define progressive rock in the ’70s with songs as melodic as they were breathlessly complex. The trio will support its first disc of new material in nearly five years, “Snakes & Arrows,” with an Aug. 8 Red Rocks date. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday ($48-$95.50, Ticketmaster).
Joss Stone nailed the shiny soul-pop vibe with her latest disc, even if the artistic results were less than stunning. The British vocalist visits the Fillmore Auditorium on May 27. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday ($32, Ticketmaster).
Underworld and Paul Oakenfold will make you feel like bustin’ out the old glow sticks and raver pants when they bring their electronic dance tracks to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sept. 11. Tickets are on sale ($40-$50, Ticketmaster).
Cheyenne Frontier Days recently added a pair of rock acts to its impressive country-pop lineup. Bon Jovi and Def Leppard will bookend the annual rodeo festival on July 20 and July 28, respectively. Tickets are on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday ($32-$72, cfdrodeo.com).
