Now on sale
Like Barry Manilow and Tom Jones, Neil Diamond’s sterling heartthrob reputation never seems to tarnish — though Diamond has had a distinct advantage of late, as his critical acclaim, sales records and cultural kitsch factor have united to give the 70-year-old singer-songwriter the highest respectability of his long career. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Kennedy Center honoree takes a step down from his 2008 Pepsi Center show to play Broomfield’s 1stBank Center on July 26, with tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. ($69.50-$125.50, TicketHorse)
Denver’s Geeks Who Drink pub-quiz masters are holding their first Geek Bowl event outside of Colorado on Jan. 28, but the Mile High City will likely be well-represented at Austin Music Hall in Austin, Texas, for the sixth annual installment. Whether you’re playing or just showing your drunken, nerdy support, get your tickets soon, as the event typically sells out. Passes are on sale at 10 a.m. Dec. 14. ($15-$26, geekswhodrink )
Zac Brown Band and Blake Shelton are just two of the pop-country heavyweights scheduled to play Wyoming’s massive Cheyenne Frontier Days July 21-29, although you can count on many more being announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the internationally renowned rodeo and Western culture event are on sale at 9 a.m. Dec. 17. (Various prices, )
M83, the French synth-pop band with a fondness for mellow, wistful melodies, is climbing many critics’ best-of-2011 lists with its latest double album, “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.” And rightfully so, as the group’s lush, fuzzed-out tunes channel the ’80s sound far better than most of its contemporaries. Tickets for M83’s April 30 Ogden Theatre concert are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($25.50, Ticketmaster)
Flogging Molly fans bummed that the band dropped out of this week’s Not So Silent Night concert can take heart: The irrepressible punks are returning for a March 14 show at the Ogden Theatre, with pre-sale tickets available at 10 a.m. Saturday through . ($30)
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
