Willie Nelson, the Flaming Lips and Big Head Todd and the Monsters aren’t exactly blues artists, but who cares? The headliners for Telluride’s 18th annual Blues & Brews Festival are solid choices, and the smaller acts — including Dweezil Zappa (playing dad Frank Zappa’s tunes), moe., Mavis Staples, 7 Walkers (with Bill Kreutzmann), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and many others — will make you forget this isn’t a blues-centric event. Single-day, multi-day and camping passes for Sept. 16-18 are on sale. ($25-$160, )
Kenny Chesney added a July 8 show to his midsummer stand at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in addition to his previously announced July 6-7 concerts. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($49.50-$79.50, Ticketmaster)
Soundgarden’s July 18 reunion show at Red Rocks may just transcend the greatest-hits rut. The seminal grunge band is currently in a Seattle studio working on its first new album in 15 years, so a preview of those songs is possible. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($59.50-$65, Ticketmaster)
Atmosphere, the Minneapolis hip-hop duo, will also stop by Red Rocks this summer. Tickets for the Aug. 19 installment of the “Family Vacation” tour, with openers Evidence, Blueprint and DJ Babu, are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($36.75, Ticketmaster)
Chautauqua Auditorium last week revealed another crowd-pleasing roster of comedy, folk, roots and indie acts for its summer music series, including Paula Poundstone (May 21), Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin (June 16), Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt (June 19), Indigo Girls (July 16), Josh Ritter (July 20), k.d. lang (Aug. 3), Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys (Aug. 6), Andrew Bird (Aug. 10) and more. Visit for prices and more information.
Fleet Foxes at the Fillmore? We thought it was an odd band-venue pairing too, but perhaps the soft-spoken Seattle indie-folk act can overcome the cavernous acoustics. Tickets for the July 21 show are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($32-$35, ) John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
The Supervillains, P-Nuckle, the Foot. Today, Bluebird Theater, $15. Ticketmaster
Bad Brains, Frontside Five, the Other Russia. Today, Summit Music Hall, $25.
Mike Watt and the Missingmen. Today, Larimer Lounge, $15.
Deftones, the Dillinger Escape Plan, Funeral Party. Today-Saturday, Ogden Theatre, Sold Out.
The Builders and the Butchers. Saturday, Hi-Dive, $10.
Head for the Hills, Elephant Revival, Milkdrive. Saturday, Bluebird Theater, $20.50-$22. Ticketmaster
Accept, Sabaton. Sunday, Bluebird Theater, $28-$35. Ticketmaster
KT Tunstall (The Solo Show), Robert Francis, Miggs. Monday, Bluebird Theater, $22.50-$25. Ticketmaster
Tobacco, Beans, Shapers. Tuesday, Larimer Lounge, $13-$15.
John Vanderslice, Damien Jurado. Wednesday, Hi-Dive, $12-$15.
It’s Always Sunny In Colorado. Thursday, Bluebird Theater, $8-$10. Ticketmaster
J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), I Am the Dot. Thursday, hi-dive, $18-$20.
