Ryan Adams is infamous for his squabbles with music critics, but the reviews of his current tour have been nothing shy of stellar. Adams has played both intimate and grandiose venues over the past several months in support of his 2011 release “Ashes & Fire.” In lieu of his trusty backing band, the Cardinals, it’s just Adams up there with some guitars and a piano. He last played Denver in September at the fairly obscure Su Teatro, and returns tonight to the Temple Buell Theatre. Tickets have been sold out for quite some time, but extras are sure to surface outside the DCPA.
Barely one month into the new year and Alabama Shakes are already one of 2012’s buzziest acts. The Athens, Ala., group, fronted by the soul-filled Brittany Howard, will likely be a household name come summer. Part blues, part garage rock, it’s a sound rooted in the Southern heritage from which they derive their name. Think Aretha Franklin (or, more likely, Sharon Jones) singing lead on a Black Keys tune. Tickets for Saturday’s show at the Fox Theatre are sold out, but try your luck on the Hill.
John Hendrickson: jhendrickson@denver or
