Now on sale
Def Leppard and Poison are beloved hard-rock bands, but they’ve also been punch lines at different points in their careers, particularly after their ridiculous, hairspray-soaked ’80s heydays fell out of favor. Ironically or not, the bands have been embraced in a big way in recent years, and their June 25 gig at the Pepsi Center is a sign of their continued commercial draw — if not serious nostalgia for hot licks and leather pants. Tickets for the show, with Lita Ford, are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($25.50-$95, TicketHorse)
Spring Back to Vail isn’t exactly the Snowball Music Festival, the early-March extravaganza that brought big names (and dozens of arrests) to the usually quiet ski town. But Spring Back’s week-long schedule of free, open-to-the-public concerts and events does boast some notable entertainers, including Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (April 12), Thievery Corporation (April 13), JJ Grey & Mofro (April 14) and Iration ( April 15). The festivities begin on April 9. Visit for more details.
Dubstep king Bassnectar was one of the headliners for the Snowball fest, but if you missed him up there, he’ll be closer to Denver for his June 2 “Vava Voom” show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. today ($39.50-$45). Also recently announced (and on sale now) for June 15 at Red Rocks: Ghostland Observatory and MiMOSA ($35-$40). Both shows are available via Ticketmaster.
George Lopez is using his time off the air wisely. Without a sitcom or late-night talk show to tie him down, the mega-comic has been plotting a series of stand-up dates, including a June 30 show at the Budweiser Events Center. Tickets for his vaguely political-sounding “That’s the America I Live In” tour are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($35-$65, )
Diana Krall is the latest to reveal a show as part of Denver Botanic Gardens’ popular summer concert series. She’ll play the Vilar Center in Beaver Creek on Aug. 5 before stopping by the the Gardens’ York Street amphitheater for an Aug. 6 set. Check back here or for on-sale dates and prices.
The second Boulder Roots & Blues Summit will slide into the Boulder Theater May 18-19 with Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Anders Osborne and more. Tickets are on sale. ($35-$65, )
Indie darling Washed Out will bring his hazy jams to the Bluebird Theater April 26 ($20.75-$25, Ticketmaster) and Aspen’s Belly Up April 27. ($15-$18, bellyup )
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
