Public Enemy changed the rap game with “Fear of a Black Planet,” the 1990 record that was home to “911 Is a Joke” and “Burn Hollywood Burn.” With solid production and hard-hitting lyrics, the band helped lay the groundwork for conscious hip-hop. Public Enemy will play an odd co-headlining bill at the Ogden Theatre, with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, on Feb. 19. The bill is strange because of the two groups’ varied styles — P.E.’s old-school hip-hop and the Tiny Universe’s angular funk — not to mention the fact that Public Enemy hasn’t released a new record in years. That said, frontman Chuck D. hasn’t lost a step since his heyday, and noted rapper Chali 2na, an MC best known for his work in Jurassic 5, will open the show. ($25, )
Dark Star Orchestra is known for its intense, to-the-note worship of the Grateful Dead, and in a way, the group has transcended cover- band status with its dedication and the reaction of others around it. (One of the group’s members “graduated” and was picked up by Furthur, the post-Dead group that includes Phil Lesh and Bob Weir.) Dark Star will play the Boulder Theater on April 14-15. ($32-$37, )
Sepultura is one of a few bands that can still pull off album titles like “Bestial Devastation.” The Brazilian metal band will play the Gothic Theatre on May 16 with Belphegor and Hate opening. (Tickets will go on sale 10 a.m. Tuesday, )
Stockholm Syndrome is more than just a side project from Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) and Jerry Joseph (Jackmormons). The group is playing like a full-on band, and that’s how it would like to be addressed, thank you very much. Stockholm Syndrome will play multiple Colorado shows: Telluride’s Sheridan Opera House on Feb. 22, the Belly Up in Aspen on Feb. 23 and the Fox Theatre in Boulder on Feb. 26. ($23-$30; , , )
Aziz Ansari went from being “that guy on MTV’s ‘Human Giant’ ” to “that guy on NBC’s ‘Parks and Recreation’ ” when the Amy Poehler series launched last spring. Anyone familiar with the Indian-American actor’s stand-up comedy will tell you that he’s more cutting and clever than his current paycheck series — and thank goodness. The comic will headline the Paramount Theatre on Jan. 14. ($36, tickethorse)
Smith Westerns is the latest Chicago pop act to have us singing along with its dreamy, airy vocals and its distorted yet melodic guitars. The hot indie act on Fat Possum Records plays the Larimer Lounge on Feb. 21. ($11, )
