Live music never stops in Colorado. It just starts to move indoors.
And that’s part of the loveliness of autumn in Denver. We still have warm nights at Red Rocks ahead of us, sitting with 9,500 of our friends on the benches. A month or two later we might be walking through fresh-fallen snow to see our heroes take on 18,000 people at the Pepsi Center.
Here are this fall’s Top 10 big rock shows. And be sure to check out our ancillary list pushing the smaller rock shows, as well.
Foo Fighters: These dates were originally scheduled for July, but singer Dave Grohl had to call them off because he was losing his voice. It’s been a long wait for fans, but it’s much better to see a band on top of its game as opposed to a singer struggling through each song. The group is still supporting the full-length “Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace.” Monday-Tuesday, Red Rocks, $45-$49.50, Ticketmaster
Monolith Festival featuring Justice, DeVotchKa and others: This is easily the most exciting show of the fall. Last year’s Monolith Festival was outrageous indie rock fun, but this year’s lineup is even stronger. With 60-plus bands — including Band of Horses, the Avett Brothers, Silversun Pickups and Atmosphere — Monolith has one of the strongest lineups of any festival this summer. But beware: If this year doesn’t sell better than last year, there may not be a Monolith 2009. Word on the street says that this is a prove-it-or- lose-it year for the indie-centric fest. Saturday-Sept. 14, Red Rocks, $59.50 daily; $110 two-day pass, Ticketmaster
Carrie Underwood: Listen to Underwood’s latest single, “Just a Dream,” and her appeal is obvious. Like Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks before her, this “Idol” winner is a crossover star. Her songs work on country and pop stations alike. This show is a tribute to America’s Medal of Honor winners, kicking off the 2008 Congressional Medal of Honor Society convention, to be held in Denver Sept. 16-20. The concert will also feature Randy Travis and Lady Antebellum. Sept. 16, Pepsi Center, $35-$55, Ticketmaster
Alicia Keys: The single- coolest things Keys has done so far in her career: pairing with Jack White for “Another Way to Die,” the theme song to the upcoming James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace.” The second-coolest thing Keys has done: She’s a classic “Superwoman” and a regular contributor to philanthropic projects on an annual basis. Sept. 17, Wells Fargo Theatre, $49.50-$100, Ticketmaster
Toby Keith: This country singer and I have a history. I’m not a fan of his, and it’s fair to say he’s not a fan of mine. (Read up on last year’s drama at by searching our names together.) But I’m man enough to recognize that Keith is a superstar with a mammoth, loving fan base all over the U.S. of A. Last year he sold out Red Rocks. Can he sell out a venue twice that size? We’ll see. Sept. 19, Fiddler’s Green, $20-$60, Ticketmaster
Sigur Ros: Like Arcade Fire last summer, this band’s music is a perfect fit for Red Rocks — and finally the two are being brought together. Sigur Ros is an atmospheric, Icelandic rock band that touches your senses. Their aesthetics are tough to take on in the printed word, but imagine a man playing his electric guitar with a cello bow and singing in a made-up language with the backing of a classically trained, symphonic rock band. They’re one of the best live bands on the planet. Sept. 27, Red Rocks, $34.50-$39.50, Ticketmaster
Metallica: This metal band has been all over the papers and magazines the past week. The new LP, “Death Magnetic,” hits stores on Tuesday. And critics are fawning over Metallica’s ability to keep it real, hard and accessible. They play Denver on the day when we’ll be selecting our next president. Now that’s heavy. Nov. 4, Pepsi Center, $59.50-$95.94, Ticketmaster
Madonna: When the Material Girl announced her first-ever show in Denver, it was front-page news. Madonna had long snubbed the Mile High City, allegedly because of a post-Amendment 2 grudge. It later came out from her management that it wasn’t the case. She’s notorious for touring very little and focusing on a few cities each time around. And now it’s Denver’s time to shine in her glow. The first show sold out so fast that she scheduled a second one. Will they be historic? Absolutely. Will they be great? We’ll see. Note: Tickets have since been released. A quick search on showed good (and expensive) seats still available. Nov. 11-12, Pepsi Center, $55-$350, Ticketmaster
Celine Dion: You love her. Or you hate her. Whatever. You can’t deny Dion’s starpower. The whole “Titanic” thing, and the Vegas show that seemed to go on forever. Dion’s voice and music are an acquired taste, but she’s not hurting for fans. Nov. 19, Pepsi Center, $41-$946, Ticketmaster
Coldplay: Chris Martin is still trying a little too hard to be important. His band is fun and listenable, sure. But important? The band’s new “Viva La Vida” will be one of the biggest records of the year, and the accompanying tour won’t have a problem bringing the fans in, either. Nov. 21, Pepsi Center, $49.50-$97.50, Ticketmaster
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com
10 of autumn’s hottest rock ‘n’ roll outings in smaller venues
Jenny Lewis, Sept. 17, Bluebird Theater, $20.50-$23, Ticketmaster
Nick Cave, Sept. 26, Ogden Theatre, $40, Ticketmaster
Nortec Collective, Sept. 27, Exdo Events Center, $30-$150,
Dandy Warhols, Sept. 27, Gothic Theatre, $25, Ticketmaster
James, Sept. 29, Ogden, $22.50-$25, Ticketmaster
Silver Jews, Oct. 5, Bluebird, $15, Ticketmaster
A Place to Bury Strangers, Oct. 8, Larimer Lounge, $11-$13,
David Byrne, Oct. 12, Buell Theatre, $39.50-$85, Ticketmaster
Magnetic Fields, Oct. 15, Boulder Theater, $24-$28,
Of Montreal, Oct. 16, Ogden Theatre, $20, Ticketmaster
Ricardo Baca
