Topping our picks of best Colorado shows this week are Cults, Albert Hammond Jr. and more. We’ll be seeing you there, and if you don’t make it out, follow the music musings and our
5) Nas — Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, $65-$70
In a sudden turn of events, Denver’s Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom has become the host to an intimate night with hip-hop legend, Nas. The rapper filled in for Mos Def, who was not able to play his Nov. 15 show because of personal reasons. Lucky for Denver, Nas filled Mos Def’s spot. A Cervantes’ press release even called the show, “the most intimate show he’s played in Denver since the ’90s.” Given Nas’ hip-hop icon status we’d have to agree with them there. But it comes at a price with a $65-$70 price tag.
4) Cults — Bluebird Theater, Nov. 20, $18-20
Just ahead of announcing their sophomore album, “Static,” headlined The Denver Post Underground Music Showcase in July, playing a set of the old favorites from the duo’s debut. Now, returning only a few months later, Cults’ much-anticipated album is on shelves and Denver audiences can look forward to a completely new show. Louder and more intense than Cults’ debut, “Static” will make for a darker live show that Denver fans may not expect from the cute indie-pop band. Cults plays the Bluebird Theater on Nov. 20.
3) Destroyer — Larimer Lounge, Nov. 20, $15-$20
On 2011’s “Kaputt,” somehow was able to meld smooth jazz into indie-singer songwriter and create something not at all cringe-worthy. That’s a testament to the type of artist Destroyer’s Dan Bejar is, one who is willing to cross weird boundaries, experiment and maintain his taste. On Nov. 20 he performs a solo set at Denver’s Larimer Lounge, and it will be interesting to see how he navigates without the backing singers, sax riffs and ’80s drums.
2) Thundercat — Larimer Lounge, Nov. 19, $16-$20
If you missed ‘s Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom show in July, you’d better take this opportunity to catch the bass virtuoso. Playing a six-string bass with each one of his fingers, Thundercat’s technical skill is mind-blowing — especially in person. He converts his bass energy into fun, danceable jazz-funk thanks to a backing band that’s able to keep up with him. You hardly even notice that Thundercat’s not a singer by trade.
1) Albert Hammond Jr. — Moon Room, Nov. 17, $20
If you’re a fan of the Strokes, you know as the backbone of the band’s fuzzy, melodic garage rock. But as a solo artist, Hammond Jr.’s music is more subdued, pretty and not quite as self-assured or distortion-heavy. You still hear the distinctly Hammond Jr. guitar sound — especially in the way he meshes with bass lines — but the music is clean, particularly the vocals. Though he hasn’t released an album since 2008, Hammond Jr. is returning to Denver for a solo show at the intimate Moon Room (250-300 capacity) on Nov. 17.
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