Normally we’d suggest you should grab your glow sticks for a week so heavy in electronic dance music, but the acts coming to Denver aren’t your traditional four-to-the-floor beatmakers. These producers are dark, thoughtful and not exactly party music (though feel free to party). To keep things nice and well-rounded, we’ve also added a bit of indie music and folk. Here are Colorado’s best shows this week (April 26-March 2) from James Blake to Rodriguez.
4) Crystal Castles — Thursday, Gothic Theatre, $35-$45
Dark, cold and electronic, the music of would be fitting for “Matrix: The Musical.” As one of the original girl-guy vocalist/producer duos to become fashionable these days, the Canadian act has been able to refine and focus its sound over three albums. While you’re at the show on Thursday, you can even pretend you’re in that episode of (the British) “Skins” where Sid and Tony go to a Crystal Castles show (season 2 episode 3).
3) The Men — Friday, Hi-Dive, $10-$12
Having gone through some label troubles, it’s nice to see the indie group still chugging along. The band is touring in support of the excellent album, “New Moon.” With this release the men has started to experiment with an acoustic indie sound that’s far different than the ear-bleeding guitar rock from early albums. This new sound can be taken one of three ways: 1) It shows the band’s musical diversity and will make for an excellent live show. 2) The change has alienated fans and will make for an intimate show at the Hi-Dive. 3) Old fans dig the new sound and fans of “New Moon” will be scared and frightened when the amps turn up. Should be interesting to watch!
2) Rodriguez — Tuesday, 1stBank Center, $35-$45
Here’s the abbreviated story of , if you don’t already know it. This Detroit folk musician had a relatively unsuccessful recording career in the 1970s, but he had no idea that he’s incredibly influential in South Africa until some fans track him down decades later. Today, having become the subject of the 2012 documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” Rodriguez is enjoying a surge of fame in the U.S., Colorado included. His show on Tuesday, originally scheduled for the Ogden Theatre, was moved to the much larger 1stBank Center due to high demand. (Tickets, $35-$45, tickethorse.com.)
1) James Blake — Sunday, Ogden Theatre, $25-$30
All it took to throw the copy-and-paste dubstep scene on its head was a little British producer who’s pretty good at piano and has a beautiful voice. challenged a culture known for simply stimulating listeners with obnoxious synths to dig a little. On top of his thunderous sub-bass, he sings in a gospel voice about childhood, love, fame, rain. Itap real emotion rather than a reaction. And even live, Blake takes his carefully crafted songs a step further. Unlike others in his genre who just push buttons, Blake plays piano, sings and operates electronics while backed by other live musicians. He plays the Ogden Theatre on Sunday. (Tickets, $25-$30, axs.com.)
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