It’s the week of Sub Pop here in Colorado, and the funny thing about it is that there are no grunge or indie-pop shows to speak of. Larimer Lounge and Hi-Dive bring the punk and hip-hop (that’s right) sides of the Seattle record label. Now, to give everyone a well-rounded music experience, you’ll also find a country band that’s huge in Colorado and a southern rocker dabbling in legendary status in our concert suggestions. Here are Colorado’s best shows this week from May 3-9. You can catch all the music coverage from us on Twitter @RVRB or on Instagram at Heyreverb.
4) Zac Brown Band — Red Rocks Amphitheatre, May 8-10, sold out
Here are a few of Colorado’s favorite things: Country music and folk music. So itap no wonder that three nights of at sold out as soon as tickets went on sale. The band is a mixture of classic country music in bandleader Brown’s Southern drawl with the porch-folk sounds of fiddle, mandolin and steel guitar. Those ingredients are like catnip for the nearly 30,000 people who will see Zac Brown Band May 8-10. What better way to kick off the concert season at Red Rocks? And if you didn’t get tickets, watch the live broadcast of Thursday’s show on AXS TV.
3) Shabazz Palaces — Larimer Lounge, Monday, $15-$18
‘ shadowy hip-hop has the perfect vibe for Sub Pop’s first experiment in the genre. The downtempo beats, the experimentation with samples and instrumentation all have a uniquely indie feel that’s missing in other hip-hop. These are all elements that I guess also make Shabazz Palaces a great act to have been at the Underground Music Showcase last year. Watch the band incorporate jazz, blues, indie rock and more into some of the most unconventional hip-hop at the on Monday.
2) Metz — Hi-Dive, Tuesday, $10-$12
There’s the reason the first song on s self-titled debut is called “Headache.” The band isn’t afraid of loud noises, and they’re kind enough to warn you beforehand. With that in mind, stock up on Tylenol and don’t miss this Canadian band crush the on Tuesday. METZ is high-decibel proof that punk music can be more than three chords and pretty complex to put together. The screams are calculated, each guitar is specifically spiked with the perfect amount of trashy distortion and the band walks into every show ready cause chaos. And chaos always ensues.
1) Jim James — Ogden Theatre, Thursday, sold out
At SXSW earlier this year, with his hair draped across his shoulders like some patriarchal robe, showed no fear in front of the thousands gathered at the festival’s outdoor amphitheater. The show was proof of his elevation to a leader of his genre. He’s transcended his place as the frontman of the critically acclaimed band My Morning Jacket and gained a general respect among the music community on his own. Now, James is on a career-defining tour as he supports his first solo album, “Regions of Light and Sound of God.” As part of this solo tour, James brings his psychedelic Americana to Denver on Thursday for a sold-out show at the .
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