Without the help of a record label, Chance the Rapper has released two albums, and his most recent has been downloaded more than 600,000 times on . His headlining tour has him performing at the Ogden Theatre on April 16 and then to most major festivals this summer. He’s been featured in Billboard Magazine, named one of the top 10 rappers to watch — and never made his fans pay a cent for his music. How’d he do it? The 20-year-old Chicago rapper understands the Internet and the power of free and easily shareable music. Chance the Rapper’s biggest headlining Denver show to date on April 16 won’t be his last, and they’ll only keep getting bigger. ($35, )
Phantogram had no trouble outgrowing the Gothic Theatre for the larger Ogden Theatre within seven months. In October the electro-pop band sold out the Gothic before fans even had a chance to listen to its new, sophomore album, “Voices.” For more than a week, the band’s Ogden show has been sold out — certainly due to the strength of its second LP. Drenched in shadows, lit with bright and catchy choruses and driven by hip-hop influenced beats, the duo’s music grabs the best of a wide breadth of genres. It’s a band that draws in a scattered iPod-browsing generation, and does so in droves.
Matt Miller: mrmiller@denverpost.com, @Official_MattM
More shows this week
The Pack A.D., the Outfit, the Media Fires. April 11, Hi-Dive. $10.
A Mouthful of Thunder, Wild High, American Haiku. April 11, Larimer Lounge. $5-$12.
Beats Antique. April 11, Fillmore Auditorium. $35.
Tinariwen, the Melodic. April 11, Bluebird Theater. $30.75-$35.
The Chainsmokers, R3K, Stereo Force. April 11, Fox Theatre. $17-$21.
G. Love & Special Sauce. April 11-12, Boulder Theater. $25.
The Infamous Stringdusters, the Boston Boys. April 11-12, Ogden Theatre. $26-$29.
Rowdy Shadehouse, the Pamlico Sound, Hamock. April 12, Bluebird Theater. $10-$13.
Chuck Ragan & the Camaraderie, the White Buffalo. April 12, Gothic Theatre. $20-$25.
Riff Raff, Spencer Foreman. April 13, Bluebird Theater. $25-$27.
St. Paul and the Broken Bones, the Jekylls. April 15, Hi-Dive. Sold out
Sir Mix-A-Lot, RITHIM. April 16, Cervantes’ Other Side. $15-$20.
Flume, Option 4. April 17, Gothic Theatre. Sold out
All Time Low, Man Overboard, Handguns. April 17, Ogden Theatre. $22.50-$25.
Shakey Graves, Crushed Out. April 16, Larimer Lounge. $10-$13.
