As the Rocky Mountain region’s largest indie music festival, The Denver Post’s 13th annual (a.k.a. The UMS) is always a double-edged sword.
The event features — from national acts such as Mudhoney and Lord Huron to locals Dressy Bessy, A Shoreline Dream, Sauna and Hollow Talk — so it’s easy to marvel at the sheer amount of music packed into the four-day event, which began Thursday and continues through Sunday at along the South Broadway corridor.
It’s also easy to feel overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar names on the lineup. And that’s kind of the point: The UMS is all about discovery, and since your wristband or badge gets you into every venue, you can pop in and out without wasting time on something you don’t like.
And while The UMS introduced its first-ever smartphone app (available at ) and will be streaming online Saturday and Sunday at , we still think it’s helpful to put together a list of things you should see.
There are too many worthy shows to list (full disclosure: I’m on a UMS comedy panel at ), but these acts are a great place to start, and we’ve even included some record store-style “recommended if you like” (RIYL) picks.
esme patterson
Best known as one of the voices behind upbeat indie-folk act Paper Bird, Denver’s Esme Patterson crafts that gather and churn like the skies before a summer thunderstorm. RIYL: Sharon Van Etten, Laura Veirs. Playing: 7 p.m. Friday at 3 Kings Tavern; noon Sunday at the Irish Rover.
bleached
Sisters Jessica and Jennifer Clavin formerly played in the Los Angeles indie-punk act Mika Miko, but their latest project finds inspiration in the that laid the groundwork for their last band. RIYL: The Ramones, the Shangri-Las. Playing: 8 p.m. Friday at the Goodwill Main Stage.
zebroids
Only one sleeveless, bearded joke-punk band can bring an elderly man on stage to play tambourine while the band members and a dude in a zebra-head mask chuck pizzas and beer into the audience between its 45-second songs. That band, of course, is Denver’s Zebroids. RIYL: Ween, Tenacous D, utter chaos. Playing: 1 a.m. Friday night at the Hi-Dive.
somerset
If is any indication, Somerset is poised to be one of Denver’s new bands — which is unsurprising since it boasts members of dearly departed acts Everything Absent or Distorted, Bela Karoli and Rabbit Is a Sphere. RIYL: Arcade Fire, The National. Playing: 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hi-Dive.
dj sl8r
Sarah Slater made her name as founder of the Titwrench Festival, a women-centric underground arts event. But for The UMS, she’ll assume her other well-known role as founder of the “Bring Your Own Records Party” and transform herself into the vinyl-crazy DJ she was born to be. RIYL: ’80s New Wave and synth. Playing: 4 p.m. Saturday at Li’l Devils.
shady elders
Hazy, sugary guitars and vibrato vocals meet a punchy rhythm section in this local with a post-punk pedigree. RIYL: Early P.J. Harvey, Interpol. Playing: 7 p.m. Saturday at the Hi-Dive.
small black
has evolved into a chillwave band that splits the difference between ’70s easy listening, ’80s synth-pop and the messier, albeit still-comforting strains of contemporary nob-twiddling. RIYL: Washed Out, Neon Indian. Playing: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Goodwill Main Stage.
cults
skyrocketed to the top of the blogosphere a couple years ago with its catchy, retro-flavored single “Abducted” and has since proven its staying power with a well-received debut on Columbia Records. RIYL: ’60s girl groups, David Lynch soundtracks. Playing: 9 p.m. Saturday at the Goodwill Main Stage.
high plains comedy festival showcase
Denver’s is taking over a modest stretch of South Broadway Aug. 23-24, but a bumper crop of local comics — including members of the Grawlix, the Fine Gentleman’s Club, Moxie and others — will offer a side-splitting preview for anyone who needs a break from the music. RIYL: Comedy Works, the Deer Pile. Playing: 11 p.m. Saturday at the Hornet.
rachel and the kings
Soulful Denver singer and classically-trained pianist crafts anthemic, ultra-slick pop-rock with energy and melodies to spare. RIYL: Kelly Clarkson, Fiona Apple. Playing: 5 p.m. Sunday at the Goodwill Main Stage.
escondido
This Nashville band is touring with UMS headliner Lord Huron, so it only makes sense that would take the opportunity to ply their harmonized vocals and hard-egded country-rock guitars at the showcase. RIYL: Fleetwood Mac, Jenny Lewis. Playing: 7 p.m. Sunday at the Skylark Lounge.
born in the flood
Before he was an acclaimed solo singer-songwriter, Denver’s Nathaniel Rateliff fronted Brit-inspired rockers , who are playing a semi-rare reunion show with help from the Meese brothers. RIYL: U2, “Bends”-era Radiohead. Playing: 9 p.m. Sunday at the Goodwill Main Stage.
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642, jwenzel@denverpost.com or twitter.com/johntwenzel
13TH ANNUAL DENVER POST UNDERGROUND MUSIC SHOWCASE. Multi-venue music festival featuring more than 400 local and national indie acts including Mudhoney, Born in the Flood, Cults, Lord Huron, Bleached, Somerset, Calder’s Revolvers, Mombi, In the Whale, Kitty Crimes, BLKHRTS and others. Various times and venues, Friday-Sunday along South Broadway between 6th and West Alameda avenues. $50 wristbands and $120 VIP badges get you into all days. Set times and locations: theums.com.
