The Decemberists, Oko Tygra and more make our picks of the best Denver-area shows this week. See you there, and if you don’t make it out, follow our music musings and our
Chromeo — May 26, Red Rocks
doesn’t have a lot to say, but the electro-funk duo has a lot of fun while doing it. The woman-obsessed Chromeo will sing your ear off about jealousy, falling for that one girl, or just hanging out with that one girl, or that girl who works too much. But you likely won’t even be listening. This music — especially live — is about the dancefloor. The Chic guitar lines and funky talkboxes are as cheeky fun as they are obvious excuses to dance. Taken for what they are, slappy bass grooves, vintage drum machines and party-starting frivolity, Chromeo is actually pretty genius. Back again , Chromeo plays Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 26 with opener . (Sold out)
Mountain Goats — May 26, Gothic Theatre
Itap a week of overtly-literate music in Colorado. While the Decemberists — usually featured in “10 most pretentious lyrics” articles — are headlining Red Rocks on May 27, the will play the Gothic Theatre the night before. The Mountain Goats frontman John Darnielle isn’t only the band’s lyricist, vocalist, pianist and guitarist, he’s also an accomplished novelist. Darnielle is the author of New York Times best seller “Wolf in White Van,” a novel that was also nominated for the National Book Award for Fiction. Get your studying done, because there will be a pop quiz at the show. ($22.50, gothictheatre.com)
The Decemberists — May 27, Red Rocks
We’ve been joking around about the amount of flannel that will be at this show all week, but in all honesty, this is going to be an awesome show. From top to bottom, this bill runs the gamut of established indie act to breakout stars like . And like some hokey infomercial: “That’s Not All!!!” You also get , still touring in support of one of the best albums of 2014. And you can get all of this for one easy payment of $39.95 – $49.95, because this show is surprisingly not sold out yet.
Oko Tygra — May 23, Hi-Dive
Along with bands like , and , is leading Denver’s growing dream/synth-pop scene. A relatively new act, Oko Tygra has already represented the state nationally at CMJ and SXSW. On Glass Jaw, the band blends dark dancefloor production, with shimmering pop hooks. The music has a mysterious atmosphere without being too heavy or cerebral — it’s moody, but still fun. On May 23, the band is celebrating its 7″ release on EggHunt Records at the Hi-Dive. The night also brings promising Fort Collins Dream Pop act .
A Show Mostly About Deer Tick — May 22, Hi-Dive
Members of will be on hand to help celebrate at the Hi-Dive on May 22. The book is filled with stories of chugging shots of Kahlua, musicians in chicken suits and pages of tales from the road. So, we expect it to be a rowdy night at the Hi-Dive as Nathaniel Rateliff, Robert Ellis and Happiness (a Deer Tick side project featuring three-quarters of the band) are set to celebrate the book. Oh, and also, a set before the night is over. And even if not, this will be a great night of music.
Denver Day of Rock — 16th Street Mall
Downtown is going to be crazy this weekend. You have Comic Con (which brings about 100,000 fans). You have (also estimated at the 100,000 mark). Oh, you also have ArtStir at the Pavilions and Downtown Denver Arts Festival at the DCPA complex. Yeah, so pretty much you wander anywhere in Denver proper and you’ll have something to do. Our favorite option is Denver Day of Rock, which is free, and you can also see breakout acts like St. Paul and the Broken Bones and Denver’s Rose Quartz. Did we mention it’s free? Yeah, just go downtown this weekend.
