Tellerpalooza and Air Dubai top our picks of best Colorado shows this week. We’ll be seeing you there, and if you don’t make it out, follow the music musings and our
4) Tellerpalooza — May 3, Bluebird Theater
Teller Elementary might be one of the coolest schools in Denver. Where most schools use bake sales or talent shows to raise money, Teller gets a group of the city’s finest local bands and puts them in one of the premiere rock clubs for the night. Dubbed Tellerpalooza, the fundraiser brings Dragondeer, Chimney Choir, Safe Boating Is No Accident, the Other Black, Amanda Hawkins, Teller Advanced Band, Teller Beginning Band, Claymore Disco, Teller Choir and Teller Violins. Thatap all on May 3 at the Bluebird Theater for the price of $15-$20.
3) Air Dubai — May 2, 1Up Colfax
If you haven’t gotten a chance to check out the new venue in the 1Up Colfax now is your chance. Denver’s Air Dubai, the upcoming hip-hop/indie-rock hybrid, is playing a one-off show at the arcade/bar/venue before embarking on the Warped Tour next month. After the 1UP show on May 2 you won’t get a chance to see Air Dubai at home until the band returns to Colorado with the Warped Tour on Aug. 3. And unlike many young hip-hop acts, Air Dubai translates just as well (if not better) from the album to the stage. Made up of a full band — guitar, bass, drums, keyboards — and two vocalists, the group surpasses the “press play and jump around” monotony of other artists of its genre.
2) The Dodos — May 2, Larimer Lounge
Percussion driven indie-rock is nothing new, but with the Dodos it takes on a refreshing simplicity. Even though the band has transitioned to electric guitars from acoustic, the band is still at its core predominantly thumping beats. Riffs might fill space, but a floor tom gives listeners that punch of emotion. Emphasizing this rhythmic focus, the duo’s Logan Kroeber is known to employ unique live percussion setups. Touring in support of their 2013 release, “Carrier,” the Dodos return to Denver to play the Larimer Lounge with A Band In Pictures on May 2. ($12-$18, larimerlounge.com)
1) Ellie Goulding — May 2, Red Rocks
Ellie Goulding has the great honor of kicking off the 2014 Red Rocks Season (as long as you’re not counting winter or 4/20 shows). With the sizable jump from the smaller Ogden Theatre — where she performed in early 2013 — the U.K. singer makes her Red Rocks-headlining debut on May 2. Goulding has toured for two years on the strength of her sophomore studio album, “Halcyon,” and continues to grow in popularity thanks to expanded versions of the release and a total of six singles. As further proof of her success, Goulding’s Red Rocks show has been sold out for more than a week. Conway and Lovelife will kick off the night. (Sold out)
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