Now on sale
After the screams, text messages and covers of varying quality have come to an end on May 23, “American Idol” will crown its Season 11 winner — and presumably look to retool the once-juggernaut show in the face of sharply declining ratings. Over the summer, however, the “American Idol Live” tour will present the top ten finalists, including Jessica Sanchez, Colton Dixon, Skylar Laine and others. Tickets for the tour’s July 14 stop at the 1stBank Center are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($29.50-$65, TicketHorse)
It takes a lot of compete with your average pop star these days, as flamboyant and hyper-marketed as they often are, but Nicki Minaj makes it look easy. The outsized personality built her hip-hop renown with appearances on a series of mixtapes before taking to the mainstream with her pink-splattered fashion style and freaky flows. She plays the Wells Fargo Theatre on Aug. 2 as part of her “Pink Friday” tour, with tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($45.75- $75.75, Ticketmaster)
Plenty of contemporary artists mine bluegrass and folk, but only one Colorado event purports to bring you real-deal, old-time music. The third annual Rocky Mountain Old-Time Music Festival, which takes place June 1-3 at Parrish Ranch in Berthoud, will present fiddle, banjo and string-based tunes that predate most bluegrass. Think jams, square dances and fiddle lessons, as well as performances from 90-year-0ld traditional Missouri fiddler Vesta Johnson and newer acts such as New Bad Habits, East Mountain Serenaders, Firing Line, Still on the Hill and many others. ($15-$50, )
Thurston Moore is the lanky, mop-haired leader of art-rock icons Sonic Youth, but he’s also a tireless curator of obscure music and art, a prolific collaborator and, yes, a solo artist. He’ll hit the Boulder Theater on June 27 and Larimer Lounge on June 29 to promote last year’s quiet, Beck-produced album “Demolished Thoughts.” Tickets are on sale today. ($15-$18, or )
Big Gigantic is aiming to throw the biggest party of its career at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sept. 29 with “Rowdytown,” a show that’s currently listed as the venue’s last for the season. Tickets for the electro-dance concert, with openers to be announced, are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($35.95, Ticketmaster)
Baltimore’s Beach House peddles husky, dreamy soundtracks to rainy days, but lives up to the title of its latest, “Bloom,” with some welcome propulsion and texture. Tickets for its July 6 show at the Belly Up Aspen are on sale. ($25, )
John Wenzel: jwenzel@denverpost.com or @johntwenzel
