But did you know that Nelson has rekindled his love of Denver over the last decade thanks to Colorado songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff? The latter has played, written with, recorded, and released music by Nelson, even as he leads his own revered soul outfit, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.

Countless tidbits like that swirl through the Colorado music scene, showing that the state has an impact on well-known musical artists — and not just the other way around.

Here are a few notable ones:

You may know that The Beatles played its only Colorado show to a less-than-full Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Aug. 26, 1964, having escaped the 10,000 fans who showed up to greet them at Stapleton Airport. But did you know that 8 days before the show, promoter Verne Byers received a letter threatening violence at the concert? The threat prompted Byers to contact Denver police, who alerted the FBI. “If you know what¶¶Òõap good for you, cancel Denver engagement,” the letter read. “I’ll be in the audience and I’m going to throw a hand grenade instead of jelly babies,” it said, referring to the British candy fans threw during concerts. The show went off without any grenades, fortunately.

You may know that a violent riot at a 1971 Jethro Tull concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre led to a years-long ban on rock ‘n’ roll at the Morrison venue. But did you know that rock only returned because a judge forced the issue? A U.S. Circuit Court ruling in 1975 faulted the city for enforcing the ban “arbitrarily and capriciously,” , and compared it to thought-policing. One year later, rock ‘n’ roll was officially back at Red Rocks, and it’s safe to say that other historic music riots in Denver (at shows from Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Pantera, DJ Quik, etc.) never had the same negative impact on the overall scene.

You may have heard that grunge icon Nirvana played the Gothic Theatre in 1991 its landmark album . But did you know that leader Kurt Cobain considered it one of his favorite gigs of all time? “Every time I look back at the best times in this band, it was right before ‘Nevermind’ came out,” he said in the 1993 book “Comes as You Are,” written by music journalist Michael Azerrad. “That’s when the band is at its best — they’re really trying hard and there’s so much excitement in the air you can just taste it.” And it wasn’t even a headlining show (Dinosaur Jr. was billed above Nirvana).

You may know that acclaimed British rocker Radiohead played a pair of its best-ever concerts at Red Rocks in 2001 and 2003. But did you know the band’s rental trailer was stolen outside of a Ramada Inn on East Colfax Avenue in 1995 during its tour for “The Bends,” just before opening for Soul Asylum at the Ogden Theatre? Guitarist Jonny Greenwood was eventually reunited with at least one of the guitars (an Ebony Frost Fender Telecaster Plus) but the band has been quoted as saying they’d never let their equipment out of their sight again after the incident. (Their last show here was an underwhelming 2012 performance at the now-demolished FirstBank Center.)

You may know that Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Marc Cohn (“Walking in Memphis”) loves playing Colorado, given his frequent visits over the years. But did you know that in 2005 he was shot in the head in an attempted carjacking in Denver? He’d just played a sold-out show at Denver Botanic Gardens with Suzanne Vega when the incident occurred near the 16th Street Mall. Even though the bullet lodged in his skull, he was released from the hospital eight hours after checking in. The fact that he continued to play Colorado after the incident is a testament to his relationship with his fans.

You may know that several musicians have been jailed in Colorado over the years for alleged infractions such as indecent exposure (punk band Nig-Heist, in 1984), assault (Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, 1991), and disorderly conduct (Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore, 1993). But did you know Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin was arrested at Denver International Airport in 2015? Not only did Scanlan continue to do it after being warned, according to police reports, he even rode it through the wall and into the supposedly secure area closed to the public. Scantlin had been scheduled to play that night (Jan. 16) at Casselman’s — and just barely made it after a fan bailed him out of jail.

You may know that fans of former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson were pummeled by hail from a fast-moving storm at Red Rocks in 2023, leading to cuts, broken bones, and dozens of other injuries. But did you know that weather-related cancellations in Colorado are a regular event? Several shows at Red Rocks have been canceled or postponed in recent months due to weather, following a quartet of nixed shows in 2024. Just this year, weather has snagged Sublime, Hippie Sabotage and L’Impératrice due to forecasts of snow and wind. The cancelations are relatively rare, but not unheard of.

There’s the mounting anticipation of seeing a favorite act, the time spent in front of the mirror inspecting outfits, the dreaded waiting in line to get into the venue, and the minutes standing between openers that seem to never end. And that’s all ²ú±ð´Ú´Ç°ù±ðÌýthe headliner takes the stage.

As such, food shouldn’t go by the wayside, whether that’s before, during or after a show. These restaurants and dives, located in live music and entertainment across the Front Range, were recommended by friends and readers of The Denver Post, as well as avid concertgoers.

Bluebird Theater/Lost Lake Lounge

Both of these venues are on East Colfax Avenue, which is undergoing a three-year construction project, and restaurants in the area say they are struggling now more than ever. Atomic Cowboy (3237 E. Colfax Ave.) is the choice for many standing outside the Bluebird Theatre — and who would turn down a stand-up slice of pizza? In between that venue and Lost Lake Lounge is Tommy’s Thai (3410 E. Colfax Ave.), an airy family restaurant on the strip since 1988; Q House (3421 E. Colfax Ave.), an upscale Chinese restaurant; and Machete Tequila + Tacos (3570 E. Colfax Ave.), a Mexican restaurant dishing out more than a dozen types of tacos made with corn tortillas. Goosetown Tavern & Restaurant (3242 E. Colfax Ave.) is a cozy bar and grill as well as a music venue across the street from the Bluebird.

Boulder Theater/The Fox Theatre

Both The Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater are surrounded by places to get food. A popular and convenient option is Avanti Food & Beverage, a food hall currently home to an Italian deli, Mediterranean restaurant, pizza spot, ramen bar and more. Both venues are graced by having dumplings nearby: Zoe Ma Ma (919 Pearl St.) by the Boulder Theater and Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings (1125 13th St.) by the Fox. If you’re lucky, maybe you can grab a table at Pasta Jay’s (1001 Pearl St.) and order a pizza from the Pearl Street staple.

Fillmore Auditorium/The Ogden Theatre

Further west on East Colfax — but still in the path of the East Colfax BRT project — are two other stages drawing major talent to Denver. It’s not uncommon to see a line of teens and young adults before a show at either venue. Dependable handheld bites are across the street at Gyroz (880 E. Colfax Ave.), Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard (808 E. Colfax Ave.), Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs (638 E. Colfax Ave.) and SliceWorks (700 E. Colfax Ave.). New to the neighborhood are Uptown Banh Mi & Pho (1201 E. Colfax Ave.) and Champagne Tiger (601 E. Colfax Ave.), which is keeping alive the former home of Tom’s Starlight.

Don’t want to cross Colfax? You’ll find vegan hotspot Watercourse Foods (837 E. 17th Ave.) a few blocks away, as well as bar and grill Park & Co (439 E. 17th Ave.), and Revival Denver Public House (630 E. 17th Ave.), a swanky restaurant serving rich comfort food like buffalo gumbo and shrimp and grits.

Gothic Theatre/Swallow Hill Music

Several restaurants along South Broadway approach the Gothic Theatre and Swallow Hill Music. Swallow Hill senior manager Barry Osborne recommends Mexican food restaurant El Tejado (2651 S. Broadway, Denver), Colore Italian Restaurant (2700 S. Broadway, Englewood), and brewery and pizzeria Brewability (3445 S. Broadway, Englewood).

If you crave some post-show breakfast food while your eardrums readjust, Denny’s (275 W. Hampden Ave., Englewood) is open 24 hours. Lastly, Moe’s Original BBQ (3295 S. Broadway, Englewood) is a familiar barbecue restaurant that also happens to be a venue and bowling alley.

Larimer Lounge/The Mission Ballroom

In the wide swath of former warehouses known as the River North Art District, there are more (and better) places to eat than what first meets the eye. Left Hand Brewing Co. (4180 Wynkoop St.) is next to the Mission Ballroom, as is a new Mexican food restaurant, Chubby Unicorn Cantina (4180 Wynkoop St.). Closer to Larimer Lounge are Redeemer Pizza (2705 Larimer St.) and Dio Mio (3264 Larimer St.), both from the Mamas & Papas Hospitality Group. If a food court is more your style, vendors at Denver Central Market (2669 Larimer St.) and Zeppelin Station (3501 Wazee St.) are open until at least 9 p.m.

Other Colorado venues

Venues tucked into the mountains, such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison and Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellvue, are near restaurants that have themselves become destinations, such as The Mishawaka (13714 Poudre Canyon Road, Bellvue) and The Fort (19192 CO-8, Morrison).

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre is another large outdoor venue away from the city center, though still with restaurants like I.C. Brewhouse (6460 S. Syracuse Way, Centennial) and Carrera’s Tacos (7939 E. Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village) nearby to fuel up before a show.

And in a burgeoning sector of Colorado Springs, three music venues exist within a mile of each other: The Black Sheep, Vultures and the stage at What’s Left Records. Grab a po’ boy at Po’ Brothers (2101 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs), a Cuban tamal at Arelita Authentic Cuban Food (2306 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs) or traditional German food at Uwe’s German Restaurant (31 Iowa Ave., Colorado Springs).

But bigger isn’t always better. Some of the state’s best, most beloved stages only play to a few hundred people, which is just the way some music fans like it. Here are six of our favorites, of any size, in the Denver metro area.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

If you and 9,525 of your closest friends have ever seen a show at Red Rocks, you know why it’s so special: mind-blowing rock formations that create unique natural acoustics; staggering views of Denver and the plains; a true sense of place and history; and a legendary, always-growing list of artists who have truly earned their way to the stage. If you can catch your breath from climbing the stairs at the Morrison venue, the feeling of unity during singalongs and dancing is unparalleled, too.

Gothic Theatre

A historic hall with great sight lines and booking, the Gothic has endured ownership and programming changes since it opened as a movie house in the 1920s to become one of Colorado’s best-sounding, best-looking and most charming music stages. With a capacity of 1,100, the art deco gem in Englewood is a reliable place to catch touring hopefuls on their way up, as well as locals and mid-level acts with solid fan bases.

Paramount Theatre

Denver has no shortage of historic theaters — see the Ogden, Bluebird, Gothic, Ellie, etc. — but none are as elaborate as the Paramount. Its vertical neon sign has beckoned artists and fans since the 1930s, with multiple renovations preserving its balance of Art Deco and classic movie-house touches. That includes “fanciful and ornamental architectural” touches from the Jazz Age (just try to stop looking at the ceiling), according to its website. It’s also a favorite spot for touring comics such as Amy Schumer and Nikki Glaser as well as folks wanting to record albums.

Hi-Dive

Since 2003, when Denver’s music scene was making moves into the modern era, the Hi-Dive has anchored South Broadway and the Baker neighborhood with a constantly churning, live-wire lineup of indie rock, folk, punk, metal and country, plus festival shows during the Underground Music Showcase and High Plains Comedy Festival. Its credibility and cool would be nothing, of course, without a great staff, cold beers, and a subversive sense of humor and style that sets it apart from more corporate-minded clubs.

Levitt Pavilion Denver

An incredible resource for the city, Levitt Pavilion Denver offers more than 50 free shows per year with diverse global artists from its location at Ruby Hill Park. That means everything from Indigenous metal to African pop, but also Elvis Costello, STS9, Larkin Poe, Lyrics Born, and Jimmy Eat World (a few of them paid, which supports the free programming). The wide lawn, kid-friendly vibe and accessible seating and food/drink options make it easy to get into and out of, and an ideal, last-minute summer activity.

Mission Ballroom

Artists and fans have given this AEG Presents venue in the River North Art District nothing but stellar reviews since it opened in 2019, and they’re roundly justified. In addition to nabbing many of the best, large-ish and mid-sized touring acts along the Front Range, its GA-seating bowl allows for great sight lines from anywhere in the venue, plus an adjustable capacity space (i.e., a stage that moves forward and backward) that allows promoters to cater to an artist’s specific draw. Bars, bathrooms and entry/exit layouts are also some of the best in Colorado.

Saturday. As one of the most underappreciated yet sparkling comedies of all time, director Amy Heckerling’s endlessly funny “Clueless” is finally getting its stage due with shows featuring its biggest cast member. (Paul Rudd won’t be there, sadly.)

The film’s 30th anniversary brings a screening of the quintessential ’90s teen movie and an on-stage conversation with star Alicia Silverstone to the Buell Theatre on Saturday, July 26. It’s one of only two announced stops for the show thus far, and the movie will only be 30 once, so if you’re totally buggin’, grab some tickets ($72-$211) at . The all-ages show starts at 7 p.m. at 1350 Curtis St. in Denver. — John Wenzel

Frontier Days’ country stars

Saturday. Some of the best entertainers at this year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days are coming close to the end of the event that started July 21 in Wyoming, with a Friday, July 25, concert from Cody Johnson and Randy Hauser; and Megan Moroney and Waylon Wyatt finishing the concert series on Saturday, July 26.

Those follow huge shows from Luke Bryan, Brookes & Dunne, Travis Tritt and others, but there’s still plenty to see the annual cowboy gathering that concludes on Sunday, July 27, including competitive bronc riding, the “chuckwagon” experience and other Western foodways, a family-friendly carnival, site tours, dancing, an Old West museum, an Indian Village and, on Saturday, the big, 11 a.m.-noon airshow. Visit for tickets, directions and more. — John Wenzel

A truly Mile Long Table

Saturday. More than a decade ago, I sat down to eat at a table that stretched a mile and a half along a street in downtown Phoenix. The locally organized event was cute and communal, and the crowds had cleaned out several food trucks by the time I arrived.

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, a Mile Long Table will be set at downtown Denver’s Auraria Campus. If that wasn’t enough adherence to the British imperial unit of measurement for you, get this: It sits 5,280 people. Longer Tables, a nonprofit based in Denver, has put on more than a hundred feasts since launching in 2013 with the goal of forming bonds among neighbors and residents. Serendipity Catering will prepare a lunch using more than two tons of food inspired by the Auraria neighborhood. The minimum donation per person is $5.28. Reserve a spot at . — Miguel Otárola

Of Montreal’s kaleidoscope

Saturday. Few indie rock bands are as surprising and genuinely experimental as Of Montreal, the melody-drenched project of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Barnes. With loose roots in Denver’s influential Elephant Six music collective (think Apples in Stereo and Dressy Bessy) and strong ones in Athens, Ga., the band’s weird, wonderous sound has evolved into a theatrical tour de force of psychedelic imagery, wordplay and sly humor.

Of Montreal returns with its beefed up stage show at the Gothic Theatre on Saturday, July 26, to perform its opus “Sunlandic Twins” as part of its 20th anniversary. Tickets are $28, ages 16-and-up. Show starts at 8 p.m. at 3263 S. Broadway in Englewood. — John Wenzel

Friday. Ben Zabin began his career as a magician performing on cruise ships where he wowed audiences with traditional tricks. These days, he’s infused another one of his passions into a show: cannabis. Zabin’s touring “Smokus Pocus” show promises “jars of cannabis will appear, lighters will come to life, and bongs will bend reality in a unique experience that brings stoned sorcery to life.”

Are his tricks more impressive while under the influence? See for yourself at The Oriental Theater at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, at 4335 W. 44th Ave. in Denver. Tickets cost $30-$45 at . — Tiney Ricciardi

Caroline Rhea at Comedy Works South

Through Saturday. Stand-up Caroline Rhea may not be on the tip of everyone’s culture-war tongues at the moment, but that’s because her decades-long work across TV projects (“Phineas and Ferb, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”), talk shows and one-hour specials is so consistent that it’s easy to take for granted — especially in an industry increasingly slathered with bro-dude podcasts whose goal is to raise hackles.

The versatile Rhea plays multiple shows at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village through Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets for the 21-and-up events at 5345 Landmark Place are $26 at . — John Wenzel

AI is on trial, and you’re the jury

Saturday. Denver’s quirky and civic-minded Warm Cookies of the Revolution is putting AI on trial Saturday, Jan. 27, with its free “The People vs Artificial Intelligence” event at Buntport Theater. The 3-5 p.m. gathering is an interactive mock trial featuring a judge, “lawyers,” witnesses and the jury (that’s you) and lively discussion about AI promises and pitfalls.

The 3-5 p.m. event at 717 Lipan St. is free, but RSVP at . — John Wenzel

DJ Shadow’s latest masterpiece, in concert

Saturday. DJ Shadow’s 1996 album “Endtroducing” was a landmark that crossed genres, from its hip-hop beats to indie-minded samples, expert scratching, and soul underpinnings. The master returns to Denver for a concert on Saturday, Jan 27, at the Gothic Theatre (also one of Denver’s best music venues) to promote his new LP, “Action Adventure.”

Tickets for the 16-and-over show at 8 p.m., with opener Holly, are $39.50 via . The show takes place at 3263 S. Broadway in Englewood. — John Wenzel

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Friday-Saturday. It¶¶Òõap not the North Pole, but the Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey facility in Denver has definitely got the goods when it comes to gifts this time of year. The distillery, owned by beverage giant Proximo Spirits, will release its limited-edition Snowflake Batch #26 and celebrate with the Snowflake Village Festival on Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, at 200 S. Kalamath St.

Things kick off Friday afternoon around 2 p.m. with live music, food trucks, cocktails, whiskey snow cones and s’mores. They continue on Saturday with more of the same. Over the course of the two days, there will also be sensory analysis classes, distillery tours, a cigar pairing and ice sculptures.

The whiskey itself will be released on Saturday and will sell out (in years past, fans have begun lining up the day before and staying overnight). Get more info at . — Jonathan Shikes

Sleigh, girl!

Friday-Wednesday. Looking for diverse holiday fare in the world of drag queens? There’s plenty coming up, including Meow Wolf Denver’s “HoliSLAY” (Dec. 16-17, ) and the “Dragstravaganza HoliGAY” (Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, at Syrup City Park, ).

This week we also recommend McGregor Square’s Sleigh Bar Drag Show, which runs both Dec. 1 and Dec. 15 with guests Cardi Accarest, Muni Tox and Samora Kash. Shows run 9-11 p.m. at 1901 Wazee St. by the Milepost Zero pop-up bar. Tickets:

It’s not exactly holiday-themed, but “RuPaul’s Drag Race” champ and Denverite Yvie Oddly will headline Englewood’s Gothic Theatre on Wednesday, Dec. 13, and if you haven’t seen her wild stage show yet, get on it. Tickets for the 18-and-up Strange Love Tour stop at 3263 S. Broadway are $30-$35 via . — John Wenzel

A feel-good crank

Through Dec. 2. Influential comic, writer and producer Dana Gould is never less than agitated on stage, as he proves during his frequent visits to Comedy Works in Denver. And yet, if you haven’t seen him before — he’s playing Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at Comedy Works South at the Landmark — now is still the perfect time.

Gould’s acting fingerprints can be seen on “Seinfeld” (where played the anxiety-ridden Frankie Merman) while his writing helped tilt “The Simpsons” into some of its best-ever episodes, amid dozens of other TV and movie credits. He created the “Stan Against Evil” series and hosts “The Dana Gould Hour” podcast, but he remains a self-effacing, apoplectic and fiercely clever stand-up at heart, with a particular emphasis on marriage and (failed) relationships.

He’s playing two 21-and-up shows each night, Dec. 1 and 2, at 5345 Landmark Place in Greenwood Village. Tickets are $20-$26. Call 720-274-6800 or visit . — John Wenzel

Drink in the Christmas spirits

Through Jan. 1. Denverites love a scenic background, and that’s especially true during the holidays when bars celebrating the season pop up around the city. We’ve culled a list of the 10 most festive watering holes (bit.ly/46A7ajW) that are now open and serving themed cocktails for all of your holiday social needs.

From stalwarts like Miracle and Sippin’ Santa to newer attractions such as Big Holiday Energy and Mistletoe Lounge, there are numerous places sure to get you in the Christmas spirit while you sip a few along the way. Visit denverpost.com/things-to-do for dozens more merry-making holiday ideas. — Tiney Ricciardi

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Saturday-Sunday. Barbecue fans will assemble on Saturday, May 27, at Empower Field at Mile High, for the 5th Annual Q BBQ Fest. The event features 3,000 square feet of grill space and no shortage of ribs (8,000 lbs) and brisket (5,000 lbs), with only slightly smaller amounts of chicken, sausage, beans and potato salad.

The event also includes live music, beverages, BBQ tutorials and demos, games and family activities. On Sunday, May 28, the Colorado Brewery Running Series teams up with Q BBQ Fest for a run-walk-jog 5k on the Empower Field grounds (registration includes admission to the festival).

Daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 4 p.m.-8 p.m. (closed 3-4 p.m. each day). 1701 Bryant St. in Denver. Tickets: $109-$145 for adults; $35 for ages 13-20; kids 12 and under are free. or

Colorado Freedom Memorial turns 10

³§²¹³Ù³Ü°ù»å²¹²â.ÌýThere’s hardly a better time to celebrate The Colorado Freedom Memorial, and its 10th anniversary, than during Memorial Day weekend. The striking installation at 756 Telluride St. in Aurora honors active and veteran members of the military with various events 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, May 27.

The free lineup begins with an 8-10 a.m. pancake breakfast and performance by the Beverly Belles, and military displays by History Colorado, the Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Colorado and personal collections (throughout). The annual Colorado Remembers Ceremony features remarks by local dignitaries, a drill demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Drill Team from Joint Base Bolling in Washington D.C., a ceremonial laying of wreaths, a firing of a Howitzer by the Colorado Army National Guard, and more.

All events are free. Visit for more.

David Cross, Vail Comedy Festival

Through May 31. Alt-comedy godfather and go-to character actor David Cross (“Mr. Show,” “Arrested Development”) has a pair of shows coming up in Denver and Boulder this weekend, including at Englewood’s Gothic Theatre on Tuesday, May 30, and at Boulder’s Fox Theatre on Wednesday, May 31. Tickets to the acerbic, subversive comic’s “Worst Daddy in the World” tour stops are $39.50-$149.50 via .

Also this weekend: Vail Comedy Festival returns for its sophomore showing with an impressive variety of offerings compared to most stand-up events. Organizer and comic Mark Masters is bringing back not only the free, family-friendly programming (including street-magic shows) and an all-day comedy school, but the showcases, podcast recordings, and the smart booking that made last year’s inaugural event a success.

Featuring 31 local and national comics on 7 stages, Friday, May 26-Sunday, May 28. Full festival pass is $180, with VIP options. See the lineup and schedule at . Note: Last year’s event sold out, so buy now.

Denver Arts Fest in Northfield

Saturday-Sunday. What once was a flat patch of runway-adjacent land in Northeast Denver has in recent years turned into a dense residential and commercial area — a.k.a. Northfield — which makes it an ideal spot for the latest Denver Arts Festival.

Celebrating its 24th year, the all-ages gathering boasts 150 booths of local artisans and artists, live music (Denver Concert Band, Wendy Woo and Wirewood Station), food, wine and beer, and a Kids Art Zone. About 50,000 people are expected over 2 days.

The festival runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 27, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 28, at the Conservatory Green in the Northfield neighborhoods of Central Park (8304 East 49th Place). See the full lineup of artists at .

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Here are 10 big concerts in Denver that you shouldn’t miss, plus suggestions for more in that stylistic vein. Tickets for all shows are on sale unless otherwise noted. See the latest at denverpost.com/things-to-do/music. (Note: This list does not include festivals.)

RZA and THE COLORADO SYMPHONY

It’s too early to say whether the potential of this show — and the Symphony’s Imagination Artist series in general — is being realized for general audiences. But all the elements are in place, with Wu-Tang co-founder and veteran composer RZA teaming up with Colorado Symphony as part of the original/curated program, Feb. 17-18 at Boettcher Concert Hall. The title, “36 Chambers of Shaolin and A Ballet Through Mud,” certainly raises more interesting questions than it answers — one of RZA’s specialties.

Also recommended: Imagine Artist shows with Nathaniel Rateliff (March 3-4) and Peter Oundjian (March 24-25); DeVotchKa with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra (May 6, Macky Auditorium).

ICE CUBE

Cube’s legacy has become complicated in recent years with a turn toward political conservatism and accusations of antisemitism — which this N.W.A. co-founder has denied — but his stage influence, prowess and presence remain iconic. Along with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and a few others, Cube’s one of the few remaining L.A. gangsta-rap godfathers still performing, and if you’re a fan, you shouldn’t miss this April 21 concert at Mission Ballroom.

Also recommended: YG (Jan. 20, Fillmore Auditorium); J.I.D. and Smino (Feb. 10, Mission); Young Nudy (March 11, Cervantes); Wiz Khalifa and Joey Bada$$ (April 22, Red Rocks).

GOTH BABE

The disaffected vocals, flanged guitars and lo-fi bedroom beats of indie rock are alive and well in 2023. Goth Babe, which takes cues from Phantogram, Washed Out and other melodic mid-fi acts, brings its fuzzy bliss to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on April 23, having minted plenty of new fans at a Civic Center concert last year.

Also recommended: Snail Mail (April 11, Fox Theatre); Tennis (April 14, Mission Ballroom); The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie (Sept. 26, Mission); Caroline Polachek (May 14).

SEAL

The aurally iconic British voice behind “Crazy,” “Kiss from a Rose,” and other ’90s hits remains as alluring as ever on stage, and we’ll be there for his May 30 show at Bellco Theatre, which celebrates Seal’s 30th anniversary. Like R&B genius D’Angelo, he doesn’t tour often, so consider yourself notified.

Also recommended: Sam Smith (Aug. 18, Ball Arena); Rod Stewart (Aug. 1, Ball Arena); The Magnetic Fields (March 17-18, Swallow Hill).

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD

These prolific, blistering Australian rockers can seemingly master any genre, with elastic guitars, dialed in percussion and stylistic horizons that have yet to be fully explored. Known for its exhausting live sets, King Gizzard will play a trio of shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre June 7 and 8 — including both a matinee and nighttime show June 8 — to further test its rabid local fanbase. We have a feeling they’ll pass with flying colors.

Also recommended: Louis Cole Big Band (March 25, Cervantes); MarchFourth Marching Band (April 1, Boulder Theater).

ILLENIUM

Electronic dance music is a wide-armed genre, from dubstep and jam-oriented hybrids to shimmering pop and throwback house music. Based in Denver, producer and DJ Illenium — a.k.a. 32-year-old Nicholas D. Miller — has risen to the top of it with a series of diverse, pop-oriented collaborations that move the masses, as we’ll see at his June 17 concert at Empower Field at Mile High. He’ll play a trio of sets at the show, which will easily be one of the biggest-ever headlining concerts from a Colorado act at a Colorado venue. And what’s more iconic than the home of the Denver Broncos? (notice we didn’t say “better sounding”).

Also recommended: Excision (Feb. 9 at Mission Ballroom; Feb. 10-11 at FirstBank Center); M83 (May 5, Mission Ballroom); Zeds Dead (July 2-3, Red Rocks Amphitheatre); Rezz (Aug. 31-Sept. 1, Red Rocks).

DEAD & CO.

This extruded version of the Grateful Dead featuring guitarist John Mayer will call it quits (or so they say) with a 2023 tour that stops by Folsom Field at the University of Colorado Boulder July 1-3. It is, of course, a massive party that unites Colorado musical subcultures in folk, bluegrass, Americana, jam, funk and rock. If you can afford the tickets — and don’t mind the gaggle of well-heeled fans cosplaying as hippies for a few hours — this is your scene.

Also recommended: Phil Lesh & Friends (Feb. 4, Mission Ballroom); Billy Strings (May 11-12, Red Rocks); Trampled by Turtles (July 13, Red Rocks); Greensky Bluegrass (Sept. 15-16, Red Rocks).

PARAMORE

While it’s tempting to view this pop-punk and emo act as singer Hayley Williams’ show, it’s truly a band affair as the beloved act returns to the road with its first new release in five years (February’s “This Is Why”). Williams’ infectious, unflagging energy drives the sing-along sets, but it’s the whole package that will keep things rolling at Ball Arena on July 13.

Also recommended: New Found Glory (acoustic set, Feb. 11, Oriental Theater); Ani DiFranco (March 15-16, Boulder Theater); The Interrupters (May 21, Fillmore Auditorium); blink-182 (July 3, Ball Arena).

TAYLOR SWIFT

The most absurd thing about Taylor Swift’s 2023 tour is that you can’t currently buy tickets to it, following Ticketmaster’s pre-sale debacle in November. That will change at some point, but until then keep your eyes peeled for on-sales because Swift’s concerts are unmatched in spectacle and polish (see her mind-blowing show at Empower Field in 2018). Her ongoing stylistic evolution always promises new sights and sounds, as we’ll see and hear when she visits Empower Field at Mile High on July 14.

Also recommended: Larkin Poe (Jan. 26, Ogden Theatre); Aly & AJ (April 4-5, Fillmore Auditorium); Caroline Rose (April 25, Gothic Theatre); Madonna (July 25, Ball Arena); The National (Aug. 11, Mission Ballroom).

GOJIRA & MASTODON

Metal and hard-rock double bills are a favorite recipe, and this year’s calendar is full of tasty-looking new entrees. There’s perhaps no better than Gojira and Mastodon, who will co-headline Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre on Sept. 2, with separate, lacerating sets. Stretch your neck muscles and don’t wear open-toed shoes, OK?

Also recommended: Cradle of Filth (March 19, Summit Music Hall); Enslaved and Insomnium (April 14, Gothic Theatre); Kreator & Sepultura (June 3, Ogden Theatre); Death Grips (May 9, Mission Ballroom); Queensryche (March 24, Gothic).

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Built in the 1920s, Denver’s first “talkie” movie theater, at 3263 S. Broadway in Englewood, has been subject to a litany of changes common among aging movie houses: major renovations inside and out, sundry event hosting (weddings, benefits), a descent into disrepair as it became a porn theater and finally, a loving, tech-driven overhaul in 1998 that preserved its Art Deco features and refreshed it as a multi-purpose venue for the 21st century. The sale price at that time to owners Steve Schalk and Todd Kinion was $175,000.

Thousands of artists, including Lady Gaga, The Black Keys and Beastie Boys, have played the 1,100-capacity room on their way up, and its mix of bands, stand-ups, drag queens and movie screenings have made it a catch-all for culture hounds. from news media such as NPR, and from outlets like The Guardian, usually list it among Colorado’s Top 10 venues.

But even as this landmark burnishes its reputation, some Denver musicians are concerned that the new ownership represents a further squeezing of the city’s independent venue scene.

“We do have these large corporations that are starting to monopolize, or have for some time monopolized, venue ownership and booking in town, and they’ve grown exponentially,” said Erin Roberts, a veteran Denver musician and the Director of Music Ecosystems at the nonprofit .

Roberts, founder of the indie band Porlolo, and other musicians interviewed for this story pointed to AEG, a mega-promoter created by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz, and its peer, Live Nation. While Live Nation is dominant on the national scene, AEG Presents Rocky Mountains has assembled a cadre of venues that have made it the biggest player in a Rocky Mountain region with robust concert attendance.

But AEG officials say the purchase simply formalizes a longtime arrangement at the Gothic, since AEG has already booked and operated the theater for Schalk over the last decade.

“Nothing’s absolute in life, but this (sale) is a far greater guarantee that the Gothic will remain a music venue,” said Don Strasburg, co-president and senior talent buyer at AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, who has been instrumental in building the careers of bands such as Phish.

“Often we have the opportunity to adjust our relationship with a venue from tenant to owner, and we obviously decided that it would behoove us to be an owner,” he added.

AEG Presents controls many of the Front Range’s biggest and most notable venues, either because it owns them, like Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, the FirstBank Center (along with Kroenke Sports Entertainment), and Denver’s Mission Ballroom, or because it leases them with near- or full-exclusivity. This second group includes the Bluebird Theater, the Ogden Theatre and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where AEG books the overwhelming majority of the annual calendar.

With such muscle for national booking, smaller and local bands are losing avenues to play, said Joshua Abeyta of Denver’s Los Mocochetes. A Denver native, Abeyta took the stage at the Gothic with previous acts such as Dyslexic Dinosaurs and Mute Man’s Microphone.

Both he and Roberts said they understand how difficult it is for music venues to make money in the era of COVID-19-induced social distancing, especially with heavy competition and ticket prices that barely cover costs. But when DIY venues driven by arts collectives, such as Seventh Circle and D3, and tiny indie clubs like the Hi-Dive are the last refuge of underground acts, he and other musicians wonder how artists are supposed to build larger followings.

Local opening acts used to be the standard at the Gothic, whereas AEG has lately been booking its big, out-of-state acts as package tours — pre-loaded with opening acts, and at the expense of opportunities for local artists, Denver musicians said.

“AEG’s just kind of eating everything up in general, and I feel like most musicians are pretty bummed about having to go through one small pipeline that picks and chooses who they want to share those stages,” Abeyta said, acknowledging that some local acts, like iZCALLi, have played the Gothic recently.

Independent clubs usually make it easier for smaller bands without agents to get in, said Gregg Ziemba, whose acts, Rubedo and Wheelchair Sports Camp, have played the Gothic. “That’s the problem with (AEG’s) monopoly: they have all the numbers, so it’s less about whether a promoter likes a band and more about sales.”

That’s usually the case in any city, Ziemba said. He knows it makes sense for AEG Presents to recruit the Denver promoters and venue owners who helped create the city’s current indie scene, such as Scott Campbell and Danny Sax, as well as the co-owners of jam-band and hip hop havens , Duncan Goodman, Diana Azab, and Scott Morrill and Adam Stroul. All are talent buyers for AEG Presents.

“AEG being here has benefits for local bands, but the downside is that the pathway to play those shows is now by selling out Lost Lake, Globe Hall or the Larimer Lounge,” said Ziemba, who learned the ropes of the industry himself as an intern at AEG.

But Campbell, who owns those three clubs, said they are separate from his job as a talent buyer at AEG Presents, and that playing them is in no way a prerequisite to play bigger AEG venues.

“If an artist sells out or has a great show at one of those clubs, great. If they sell out or have a big show at another club, great. We will book them no matter what,” he added.

Promoter and venue owner Chris Swank, a former leader of Denver’s Nobody in Particular Presents, doesn’t think AEG’s Gothic purchase should cause any noticeable ripples. He leases his Bluebird Theater to AEG Presents, which in turn books the historic venue’s concerts.

“I don’t think you’ll see much change,” said Swank, who also owns Stampede, La Rumba, Mezcal and Goosetown Tavern. “They’ve been doing a great job with it, and that seems like it’s going to continue.”

AEG’s Strasberg responded to the “monopoly” claims by pointing out AEG has as much at stake locally as anyone else, and that the company works “tirelessly every hour of every day to provide the best entertainment to our community in the best-run venues.”

“Our entire team is part of the Denver community,” he said. “And most have worked in a facet of live music in Colorado as their first and only career. Part of our commitment to the community is to host the best and brightest local artists, which we do. … The (Gothic) still sits in a really healthy place in the ‘concert ecosystem’ for an artist who’s growing their career.”

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And yet, the veritable supergroup — composed of some of the state’s most accomplished bluegrass and old-time artists — is fundamentally playful. Now, after a string of sold-out Colorado and touring shows, they’re coming to Denver for their first ticketed concert in the Mile High City.

“We wanted to do a Halloween show, so we’re going goth at the Gothic,” said Joy Adams, the group’s cellist who has played with Nathaniel Rateliff, Darol Anger and Half Pelican.

“We like doing dress-up themes,” said mandolinist Bonnie Sims, who has long performed as a duo with husband Taylor, racking up 150 million streams and for the 2020 album “I See Red.”

Big Richard’s Friday, Oct. 28, concert at the Gothic Theatre is just one of many themed shows. Other dress-up concepts include Denim Demons, Stevie Nicks-vibes, Candy Corn Colors and Floral Feelings. Attendees are encouraged to follow suit.

“We did a gig in Cortez, which is quite a conservative town, and the theme was circumcised shorts, not (penises),” Sims said with a laugh.

Along with Adams and Sims, boasts bassist and guitarist Emma Rose (Sound of Honey, Daniel Rodriguez, Whippoorwill) and fiddler Eve Panning (Lonesome Days, TEDx). The band’s airtight playing and soulful harmonies exude considerable warmth and wanderlust, but also a grit and confidence.

That passion is an extension of their sisterhood, according to Panning, as well as their dozens of combined side-gigs and decades of experience playing venues ranging from Gold Hill Inn to Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

“We have a lot of shared values,” she said. “We’ve all been playing music in a male-dominated scene for a long time, and we bonded over that. … It feels so special, talking about these experiences and validating them instead of brushing them aside.”

Getting skipped on stage for solos, battling assumptions that they’re a male musician’s girlfriend or wife, and being stopped by skeptical gatekeepers have been common experiences.

“It’s relentless,” Adams said. “I was pulling up to play the Black Mountain Family Reunion festival here in Colorado and was trying to get my artist credentials. The lady at the gate didn’t believe me. She was like, ‘Honey, are you playing in the band or are you just sleeping with someone in the band?’ I just stared at her as she tried to backtrack. ‘Oh, you must be the singer,’ she said. Nope!”

Colorado counts no shortage of nationally known strings players, but Big Richard’s big sounds are something different. Since forming, the neo-acoustic act has played a series of sold-out club shows — whether here or in Montana, Oregon and California — and national festival appearances. That’s due in part to the electrifying musicianship and audience response at their acclaimed set () at the 49th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival in June.

Telluride was a diverse affair, but not all festivals are so thoughtfully booked.

“Festivals often make their whole lineup and realize later on it’s completely men, so they’re like ‘Oh (crap), we need some women,’ ” Rose said. “That’s why Eve got the call to put together a lady group last year for this festival in Castle Rock, and she decided to make it this power (quartet).”

Big Richard’s days of playing 1,100-capacity Colorado concerts, as they will at Denver’s Gothic, seem numbered; the show was moved there from the 550-capacity Bluebird Theater , according to the Colorado Sound.

The band will record its first proper studio album in January, adding more originals alongside their phalanx of covers (including, say, Britney Spears and Billie Eilish). Their Telluride set precedes them, but it’s their musical prowess that cements new super-fans.

“It’s exciting to see four women on stage with this kind of aggressive energy,” Rose said. “Someone saw our flier in a coffee shop in Oregon and drove five hours to our Portland show. They bought merch and took pictures with us, so something resonated.”

And the quartet’s stage presence never takes itself too seriously. See the women’s alter egos — Adams as SkiBoi HasBigBallz, Sims as Cowboy Daddy, Panning as Steve, and Rose as King Dreamy.

“Each of us identify with both our masculine and our feminine energy,” Sims said. “Not every man does that, but we found four ladies who are able to lean into those realities and bond over that.”

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