By any standard, the first month of the year is a sleepy time for music as promoters and bands rein in their concert news and album releases. But unlike the last couple of weeks, we’re all finally starting to shake off the holiday dust and look outward again — which means the industry won’t be wasting any time trying to grab our attention with unctuous proclamations and show announcements.
Vampire Weekend’s tour is probably the most buzz-worthy news of the young year. The New York band, which has endured tremendous critical back-and-forth since hitting the scene in mid-2007, is looking to cement its indie/Afro-pop reputation with new record “Contra,” which drops on Tuesday. The group has played everything from the Hi-Dive to the main stage at Red Rocks, so the 1,700-person Ogden Theatre seems like a happy medium. Tickets for the March 19 show are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($26.50-$30, Ticketmaster)
Owl City, another band hitting the Ogden, has also weathered a lot of critical lightning in recent months — mostly due to the fact that leader Adam Young’s heavily affected voice is an embarrassingly specific (and significantly less interesting) Xerox of melodic heartthrob Ben Gibbard of the Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie. Nonetheless, the band has attracted a megacloud of adoring young fans who will likely swarm Owl City’s April 13 show at the Ogden, with Lights and Paper Route. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($20, Ticketmaster)
Switchfoot, the San Diego pop-rockers known for their crossover success from Christian markets to mainstream radio, will also play the Ogden on Feb. 26 to promote new album “Hello Hurricane.” The disc, which dropped in November, is stuffed with the same big, shiny anthems and vaguely inspirational tunes on which the band has built its name. Tickets for the Ogden show are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($23.50, Ticketmaster)
Retribution Gospel Choir, a roaring, no-nonsense rock project from indie rock veterans Alan Sparhawk (Low), Steve Garrington (Low) and Eric Pollard (No Wait Wait), will play the Larimer Lounge on April 17 to promote its ripping new disc “2.” Also recently announced at the Larimer: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah leader Alec Ounsworth (Feb. 20), startlingly talented Pacific Northwest songwriter Laura Veirs (March 5), ex-Beulah frontman Miles Kurosky (April 5) and Denver Post Underground Music Showcase breakout act Megafaun (April 12). Visit for details and prices.
Alkaline Trio and Omaha indie scions Cursive will play the Gothic Theatre on Feb. 25, just two days after Alkaline’s new album “This Addiction” is released on punk haven Epitaph. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. today ($20-$22, ). Also on tap for pop-punk fans at the Gothic: The English Beat and Fishbone (March 6), New Found Glory (March 7) and the AP Tour, featuring Cab, Hey Monday, Every Avenue and the Summer Set (April 6). Visit for more information.
