Chet Faker gives the cold heart of electronic music a soul. Combining R&B vocals with soulful electronic beats, Faker occupies a similar spot in EDM crossover music as James Blake. He finds a balance of deep bass grooves, a drizzle of saxophone, gospel choruses and electronic experimentation on his latest album, “Built on Glass,” which was released in April. But where most electronic singer-songwriters rely too heavily on looped samples and autotune, Faker’s vocals are produced clean and natural-sounding and given a traditional pop structure. The Australian artist plays Denver’s Bluebird Theater on June 4. ($13-$15, )
Fans lovingly consider the Mountain Goats‘ John Darnielle some sort of literary genius. In fact, they are so taken with his writing ability, they started a White House petition last year to make him the Poet Laureate of the United States. Fans praise Darnielle for his ability to capture loneliness, struggle and daily life in a way that’s as simple as it is insightful. Since the mid-’90s, Darnielle has released 14 albums under the Mountain Goats moniker. He returns to Colorado on June 5 to play the Gothic Theatre. ($22.50-$25, )
Matt Miller: mrmiller@denverpost.com
Potato Pirates, the A-Oks, the Repercussions. May 30, Gothic Theatre. $10-$12.
Esme Patterson, Emerald Siam. May 30, Hi-Dive. $8.
Anders Osborne. May 30, Bluebird Theater. $22-$25.
All that Remains, the Pretty Reckless, Starset. May 30, Fillmore Auditorium. $10.67.
Bane, Turnstile. May 30, Marquis Theatre. $12-$14.
Bassnectar, Sub Focus, Crookers. May 30-31, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Sold out
Victor Wooten. May 31, Gothic Theatre. $25-$30.
Black Label Society, Devil You Know, Butcher Babies. June 1, Ogden Theatre. $29.50-$35.
John Prine, Emmylou Harris. June 1, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. $44.50-$75.
Tweak Bird, Bridges Will Break. June 3, Hi-Dive. $10.
The Milk Carton Kids, Tom Brosseau. June 3, Bluebird Theater. Sold out.
Guided By Voices, Bobby Bare Jr. June 4, Gothic Theatre. $27.50-$35.
Clean Coal, Helicopterbearshark. June 4, Larimer Lounge. $10.
Chet Faker, Sweater Beats. June 4, Bluebird Theater. Sold out.
The Mountain Goats, Loamlands. June 5, Gothic Theatre. $22.50-$25.
