The hard-rock cliché of the raised devil sign dominates many rock concerts these days – especially ones that don’t warrant it.
But that horned hand gesture will find an appropriate release when Def Leppard, Styx and Foreigner stop by Coors Amphitheatre on Sept. 9, a show sure to be lousy with stonewashed jean jackets, big hair and even bigger irony.
Def Leppard played Red Rocks in August, and Styx is no stranger to Coors, having played there with REO Speedwagon in October. The nostalgia lineup is less metal than it is ’80s radio, but the groups’ commercial clout is undeniable. Or was, anyway. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($25-$99, Ticketmaster)
Kelly Clarkson seems positively classic these days compared with most “American Idol” champs. She’s the show’s first success story and the first to parlay that TV exposure into honest-to-God pop stardom, selling more than 15 million records and winning Grammy, Billboard and MTV Music Video awards. Tickets for her July 21 show at the Pepsi Center are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($39.50-$69.50, Ticketmaster)
Ozzfest 2007’s novel concept – offering free tickets when fans redeem an online code – will net loads of brand awareness for its liquor and energy- drink sponsors. But who wouldn’t click through a few mindless ads to score free passes? Founder and namesake Ozzy Osbourne will be joined by Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Lordi, Behemoth and others when Ozzfest hits Coors Amphitheatre on July 28. Codes will be distributed via ozzfest.com, livenation.com and others starting Saturday.
The String Cheese Incident issued this cryptic statement earlier in the week: “There are currently no plans for The String Cheese Incident beyond summer of 2007,” the implication being that the group is finished. Whether that’s true or not, fans can catch the beloved Boulder jamgrass group at its (last?) Red Rocks stand Aug. 10-12. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($42.50-$45, Ticketmaster)
“Floorplay” cleverly references its theme – sexy, eye-catching dance numbers – in its provocative title. The Ballroom and Latin dancing extravaganza, the sequel to “Burn the Floor,” features some of the world’s best dance couples in a theatrical context. Tickets for the show’s June 19-24 run at the Buell Theatre are on sale at 10 a.m. Sunday. ($15-$57, Tickets-West or denvercenter.org)
Blues Traveler returns to Red Rocks for its annual July 4 concert with Violent Femmes in tow, a surefire singalong concert. Tickets for the all-ages gig are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($38.50-$42.50, Ticketmaster)
G. Love & Special Sauce leads a groove-heavy lineup at Red Rocks on Aug. 17 for the Summer Haze tour, including aptly named SoCal act Slightly Stoopid and Grammy winners Ozomatli. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($35, Ticketmaster)
