Memorial Day is landing a little bit early this year and, despite what the Old Farmer’s Almanac may say, many people will be hanging up their raincoats and throwing on their Daisy Dukes as soon as the three-day weekend arrives.
Whether or not you ascribe to marking seasons by the correct astronomical definitions, summertime is indeed rapidly approaching, which means one thing for the Front Range: Live music season.
From cozy concerts inside the Chautauqua Auditorium to shows under the stars at Sunflower Farms, we’ve compiled a list of this summer’s must-see shows in Boulder, Longmont, Nederland and beyond.
She’s a Brick….Street
Nothing says summertime in the Front Range like the re-emergence of Bands on the Bricks. Each Wednesday night in the peak of June and July, the block between 13th Street and 14th Street on the Pearl Street Mall is transformed into the most laid-back block party of all time. The weeknight concerts are completely free to attend, and with a nearby beer garden to purchase beverages, Bands on the Bricks is the quintessential way to spend a gorgeous summertime evening outside.
This will technically be the second time performing at Bands on the Bricks for Boulder-based rockers Foxfeather, who will take the stage on July 3. The five-piece folk-americana group was asked to play at the concert series in 2020, however, the group didn’t exactly play on the bricks.
According to Foxfeather lead guitarist Laura Paige Stratton, the group was scheduled to play in 2020 as a part of Downtown Boulder Partnership’s socially-distanced concert series, Bands Above the Bricks.
“During the very early days of COVID, we were scheduled to play a live-streamed concert on the Rooftop of the Museum of Boulder. It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and then out of nowhere, it started storming,” said Stratton.
The sudden downpour forced the band to relocate quickly inside, where, unfortunately, the only available location was a vacant space in the basement of an office building.
“We went from playing above the bricks, to then ultimately performing under the Bricks. Looking back, it was rather ridiculous,” added lead vocalist Carly Ricks Smith. “We were outside because of COVID, and then had to go inside because of the weather, and we all were nervous we were going to get really sick. But things worked out.”
This year, the band says that they are looking forward to playing on the actual bricks, as well as performing a couple of new songs for their hometown.
“We’ve got some new material that we’re going to be playing, and we might have a brand new song that nobody has heard yet ready to rumble by the time July 3 rolls around. We’re really excited about our new material that will hopefully be on our new album soon,” Smith said.
Stratton added that the new material will be similar to Foxfeather’s current music — in that all of the new songs are going to have a completely different sound from one another.
“Our genre is all over the place. We started out in the folky bluegrass world, and our sound has developed more into rock Americana, with some blues in the mix. But what’s interesting about our music is that each song has it’s own feel. You go on a rollercoaster when you come to see us,” she said.
For more information, tickets, and to check out the rest of Bands on the Brick’s summertime lineup, visit https://boulderdowntown.com/events/bands-on-the-bricks.
Take a Hike with Mahler
Technically taking place before Memorial Day weekend, MahlerFest kicks off on Wednesday, May 15 and will shut down on May 19. The longest-running Gustav Mahler-themed music festival, MahlerFest is celebrating it’s 37th year honoring the late classical composer. This year’s theme, according to Maestro and artistic director Kenneth Woods, “Mahler and The Mountains,” was inspired by Mahler’s love for the outdoors, as well as Boulder’s natural beauty.
“Mahler did all of his composing in the Summers in Mountain retreats retreats in the Alps among the Austrian-Italian border. So the mountains were kind of the wellspring of his inspiration. Throughout his musical life, the mountains became a symbol of home and a place of belonging, so this year, we’re exploring the relationship between nature and creativity,” Woods said.
This year’s festival program will also feature music from Mahler’s musical archnemesis Richard Struass. After Mahler’s untimely death, Strauss wrote An Alpine Symphony in dedication to his late rival’s legacy.
“Strauss, knowing Mahler’s personality and relationship to the mountains, composed this work which basically depicts this climb up a peak to the alps, the vista you see from the top, and the descent down at the end of the day. Its a beautiful evocation of the sights and sounds of being outside, but a metaphor for life — we’re all trying to reach a summit, but part of the point of getting to the top is that you are not meant to live on the peak of a mountain. You have to come back down.”
MahlerFest 37 will include a diverse selection of contemporary music, highlighting new compositions and modern interpretations, including a world premiere by Austin-based guitarist David Leroy Biller and a piece by Emmy-nominated Anthony Barfield.
But the innovative programming doesn’t stop there. On May 17, a performance at Roots Music Project imagines a crossover between classical music and rock, inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s admiration for Mahler. Artistic Director Kenneth Woods will swap his signature cello for an electric guitar to explore what Mahler’s music might sound like in Hendrix’s style.
“The crossover was inspired by my shared love for both composers. We know from Hendrix’s letters and interviews that he was a huge classic music aficionado, and he loved Mahler’s music. You look at the lyrics that Hendrix wrote, a lot of personal and poignant songs, as well as the poems that Mahler set to his songs and symphonies, and they tend to share a lot of the same themes — especially the theme of nature,” Woods said.
“People will either love it or hate it, or think that I’ve lost my marbles. But to me, music needs to be pollinated. Music is at its richest when it’s shared between genres, generations and cultures.”
To purchase tickets and to view the schedule for MahlerFest 37, visit https://mahlerfest.org/mf37/.
Boulder
Bands on the Bricks: Complete with a beer garden, downtown Boulder’s long-standing concert series offers free shows every Wednesday from 5:30-9 p.m. on the 1300 Block of Pearl Street; boulderdowntown.com. Lineup — June 12 The Reminders, June 19 ZiMBiRA Afro Fusion Band, June 26 Hazel Miller & The Collective, July 3 Foxfeather, July 10 The 5280s Band, July 17 The Mighty Mystic, July 24 Roka Hueka and July 31 The Long Run.
BoCo Cider: This gluten-free hard cidery and taproom is open Thursday-Sunday and hosts live music nearly every one of those nights; 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder; bococider.com.
Boulder Theater: Downtown venue with preserved murals and art deco charm; 2032 14th St., Boulder; z2ent.com. Lineup — June 3 Brad Mehldau, June 7 Trevor Hall, June 22 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, July 6 Dark Star Orchestra, July 11 Old Gods of Appalachia, July 19 Wheeler Walker Jr. with Logan Halstead, July 20 Steep Canyon Rangers, July 21 Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Aug. 9 Rickie Lee Jones, Aug. 10 Face Vocal Band and Aug. 25 Laurie Berkner.
Chautauqua Auditorium: Unique concert experience in a century-old, barn-style venue; 900 Baseline Road, Boulder; chautauqua.com. Lineup — June 1 Michael Franti & Spearhead, June 18 Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, June 20 Tommy Emmanuel, July 13 Squirrel Nut Zippers, July 20 Straight No Chaser, July 22 Watchhouse, July 24 Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, July 31 Rayland Baxter, Aug. 3 and 7 Graham Nash, Aug. 5 Ben folds, Aug. 9-10 Ryan Adams, Aug. 11 Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Aug. 31 The Robert Cray Band.
Colorado Music Festival: Annual classical music festival brings international and national musicians to Boulder for 22 concerts in six weeks; Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder; coloradomusicfestival.org; Lineup — July 5 and 7 Alisa Weilerstein, July 7 Family concert: Green Eggs and Ham, July 9 Dohnanyi, Beethoven & Schumann, July 11-12 Rite of Spring & Gluzman Plays Prokofiev, July 18 Brentano String Quartet, July 20-21 Michael Christie, July 14 Bruckner Bicentennial: Symphony No. 4, July 16 Schubert’s Strings & Nielsen’s Winds, July 18-19 Olga Kern & Greig’s Peer Gynt, July 21 Gabriela Lena Frank’s world Premiere, July 23 Haydn, Debussy & Mendelssohn, July 25-26 Awadagin Pratt + Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, July 28 Mozart: Duo pianos, Haffner & A Little Night Music, july 30 Danish Spring Quartet, Aug. 1-2 Augustin Hadelich & Dvorak 7 and Aug. 4 Mahler 4 & Ravel’s Sheherazade.
Concerts in the Park: Pack a picnic and head to the park Monday evenings to hear the Boulder Concert Band play a different local park each week; boulderband.org. Locations — June 10 East Palo Park, June 17 Foothills Community Park, June 24 North Boulder Park, July 1 Harlow Platts Community Park, July 8 Scott Carpenter Park, July 15 Salberg Park, July 22 Martin Park and July 29 Chautauqua Park.
Cultural Caravan: Starting June 6 with a free pop-up concert on Festival Plaza in Lafayette, this series will bring in six big main-stage concerts along with six pop-up concerts throughout Boulder County; culturalcaravan.org.
DV8: Micro-distillery and queer bar “where you’re free to be weird,” pours unique drinks and hosts drag events, live music, open mics, dance parties and more; 2480 49th St., Suite E, Boulder; dv8.fun.
eTown Hall: What started out as a radio program decades ago turned into an internationally revered concert hall and recording studio that’s housed in an old Boulder church; 1535 Spruce St., Boulder; etown.org; Lineup — June 13 Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and June 27 Mokoomba.
Fox Theatre: With a two-tier main floor and an intimate punk-rock vibe, every spot is a good spot in this University Hill venue; 1135 13th St., Boulder; z2ent.com. Lineup — June 1 Moondial, June 7 Diva Cup, June 13 Runaway Gin, June 14 Phoebe Nix, June 15 Dylan Kishner Band, June 20 The New Mastersounds, June 21 Spitting Image, June 26 Stop Light Observations, July 17 Fruit Bats, July 20 Easy Honey, Aug. 2 Simple Syrup, Aug. 3 julie, Aug. 4 Secret Number, Aug. 9 LA LOM, Aug. 15 Pool Sharks and Aug. 16 Moontricks.
License No. 1: Underground speakeasy cocktail lounge below Hotel Boulderado puts local musicians on the stage; 2115 13th St, Boulder; license1boulderado.com. Lineup — June 1 VooDoo Lily, June 5, 12, 19 and 26 George Nelson Band, June 6, 13, 20 and 27 Hunter Stone and Friends, June 7 Von Disco, June 8 The Alex Maryol Band, June 14-15 Superimposition, June 21 Lauren Joy, June 22 B-Love Experience and June 28 Silent Bear Trio.
Mountain Sun Pubs: Southern Sun, 627 S. Broadway, Boulder; Under the Sun, 627 S. Broadway, Boulder; Mountain Sun, 1535 Pearl St., Boulder. Lineup — June 14 Stomp Street Heist and June 21 Jeremy Mohney Band; mountainsunpub.com.
Rayback Collective: Unique food truck park with a chill outdoor vibe hosts local musicians; 2775 Valmont Road, Boulder; therayback.com. Lineup — June 1 River Spell, June 8 Green Machine, June 14 Blankslate, June 28 Lauren Frihauf and July 13 Derek and Co.
The Velvet Elk: Boulder’s new venue that gives a funky vibe in an intimate live music barroom venue; 2037 13th St., Boulder; velvetelklounge.com. Lineup — June 1 Christian Porter, June 2, 7 and 26 Lionel Young Duo, June 5 Maya Ogeo, June 6 Twisted Pine and Tonewood, June 8 Justin Bradford, June 9 Carter Combs, June 12 Margo Cilker, June 13 DJ Williams Band and Marcus Machado, June 14 Kayla Smith, June 15 Morgan Lee Powers, June 16 Katie Mintle, June 19 Chuck Sitero, June 20 Many Mountains, June 21 Rebirth Brass Band, June 22 The Runaway Grooms, June 23 Chris Koza, June 27 Mamma’s Marmalade and Jack Cloonan, June 28 Amaryllis and River Mann, June 30 Magnolia Boulevard, July 5 High Lonesome, July 11 Andrew Duhon, July 12 Illegal Smile, July 13 Mackenzie Rau & Buckshot Moon and July 19 The Deslondes.
Roots Music Project: This non-profit music incubator empowers local musicians in an artsy warehouse setting; 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A, Boulder; rootsmusicproject.org. June 1 Brendan James and LVDY, June 5 Thelma and The Sleaze, June 10 My Son The Hurricane, June 20 Sun Jr., June 25 Underground Springhouse, June 27 Christopher Paul Stelling, June 29 Peak 2 Peak, Aug. 2 Source, Triune, and Megatheria, Aug. 9 The Good Kind and Aug. 31 Joe Waters.
Trident Booksellers & Cafe: A Boulder original, this inclusive and independent coffeehouse hosts live music, poetry, performances and events, 940 Pearl St, Boulder; tridentcafe.com. Lineup — June 7 Patrons, June 8 Chicken Coop Willaye, June 13 Just Clark and Adda Boyd, June 14 Lucky Me, June 15 Lalo Heart, June 22 Strangebyrds, June 27 Quinlan Valdez, June 28 Hula Hound, June 29 Katiria and Yugs, July 12 Jack Campbell & The Head Mess, July 13 Jeffrey Dallet, July 19 Ellie & The Alibis and Stereo Ontario, July 20 Annie and The Bang Bang, July 25 Jackson Cloud, July 27 Mark Oblinger Band, Aug. 2 Pete & The Hallbrooks Family Band, Aug. 10 Ambush, Aug. 11 Patrick French and Aug. 24 Sneaki Bandit & The Scavengers.
Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series: The outdoor shopping mall is bringing in local bands to its Central Plaza where patrons can sprawl out with sweet Flatirons views; twentyninthstreet.com. Lineup — July 12 Shakedown Street, July 19 Face, July 26 Jacob Larson, Aug. 2 The Hamilton Band, Aug. 9 Hazel Miller & The Collective, Aug. 16 Eric Golden, Aug. 23 Quemando Salsa.
Lafayette
Art Night Out: Outdoor fun with an art market, food trucks, booze tents and live music from 5-9 p.m. second Fridays through September; South Public Road between Emma and Cannon Streets, Lafayette; lafayetteco.gov. Lineup — June 14 Los Mocohetes, July 12 Hazel Miller and the Collective, Aug. 9 Kaitlyn Williams and Bunny Blake and Sept. 13 Paa Kow.
Muse Performance Space: This live events space hosts music, performances, improv jams and more; 200 E. South Boulder Road, Lafayette; museperformancespace.com. Lineup — June 3 The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, June 7 Art Lande, June 13 Dana Cooper & David Starr, June 14 Pat Metheny, June 15 Justin Adams, June 19 Matt Venuti, June 21 Dominique Eade & Keith Waters and June 28 Amy Biondo Quintet.
Nissi’s: This renovated venue with new sound and lights brings in range of national and regional entertainment with a slate of high-class cover bands to Lafayette; 1455 Coal Creek Drive, Unit T, Lafayette; nissis.com; Lineup — June 5 Jack Hadley Band, June 6 Burns Twice, June 9 Longmont Jazz All-Stars, June 12 Marcus Motel & The Closers, June 13 The High Road Home, June 14 6 Million Dollar Band, June 115 Appetite For Destruction & Halfway There, June 16 Jon Chandler & The Slingers, June 19 Maynard Mills Band, June 20 Chimbangle, June 23 Katelyn Klickman, June 26 Nelson Rangell, June 27 10 Year Echo, June 28 Hillbilly Demons, July 3 Blue 88’s, July 5 One On One, July 6 Mile Hi Infidelity & Still the Same, July 10 50 Shades of Blue, July 11 Lookin Back, July 12 Rubber Souls, July 13 Wayward Son, July 17 Deborah Stafford and the Night Stalkers, July 18 Face Vocal Band, July 19 Paradise Theatre, July 20 The Jerseys, July 24 Mad Dog Blues, July 26 Free Fallin’ and July 31 420 Cafe.
Picnic on the Plaza: Pack a picnic for free concerts on the lawn from noon-1 p.m. Thursdays through mid-August; Festival Plaza, 311 S. Public Road, Lafayette; lafayetteco.gov. Lineup — June 6 Cultural Caravan, June 13 Pride on the Plaza, June 20 TBA, June 27 TBA, July 11 TBA, July 18 TBA, July 25 TBA, Aug. 1 TBA, Aug. 8 TBA and Aug. 15 TBA.
Longmont
Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel Brewery and Taproom: In addition to brews and rotating food trucks, this establishment offers up a rotating selection of acts; 1640 S. Sunset Street., Longmont; oskarblues.com.
Soundpost Sessions: Relax in this intimate listening room, built just for memorable live shows; Longmont Public Media, 475 4th Ave., Longmont, soundpostsessions.com.
Wibby Brewing: Not only a place to enjoy frosty beverages, this brewery is hosting a selection of musical acts throughout the summer; 209 Emery St., Longmont; wibbybrewing.com. Lineup — June 7 Drunken Hearts, June 15 Rock & Roll Playhouse and June 15 Peak2Peak.
Longmont Downtown Summer Concerts: In addition to live music, attendees can enjoy cuisine from food trucks, beer, kids activities and more from 6-9 p.m. Fridays in June. Don’t miss this event at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Kimbark Street; downtownlongmont.com. Lineup — June 1 Antonio Lopez Band and Drunken Hearts.
Left Hand Brewing’s The Garden: Enjoy locally crafted favorites while enjoying a fabulous and varied soundtrack; 1245 Boston Ave., Longmont; lefthandbrewing.com; Lineup — June 1 Pride Fest, June 7 Mojomamma & Tyler’s Garage, June 15 Leftapalooza, July 5 Float Like a Buffalo & Cory Pearman and Aug. 2 Boot Gun & Grant Livingston.
Outdoor Concerts: Enjoy free concerts in several parks around the city. Lawn chairs and picnics are encouraged; longmontcolorado.gov. Lineup — June 26 101st Army Hot Seven, July 10 Denver Taiko and July 24 Kutandara.
Sunflower Farm’s Summer Music Evenings: On stage from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and some Fridays through early October, local musicians perform at the Longmont farm while food trucks plate up snacks and patrons can mingle with the furry farm friends. Bring the fam, the chairs, blankets and drinks; $27, reservations required; 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont; sunflowerfarminfo.com. Lineup — June 5 Shuck Wagon, June 12 Ghost Town Drifters, June 19 Ragged Union, June 26 Tierro Band, July 10 Big Hooray, July 17 River Arkansas, July 24 Foggy Memory Boys, July 31 Chain station, Aug. 7 Heavy Diamond Ring, Aug. 14 FY5 and Aug. 30 The Cody Sisters.
Nederland
Caribou Room: Nederland’s live music venue that’s also a recording studio and event center with high-tech lighting and sound, 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland; thecaribouroom.com.
Very Nice Brewing Company: Small-batch brewery that pours gluten-reduced beers and puts local musicians on its stage Wednesday through Sunday; 20 Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland; verynicebrewing.com. Lineup — June 9 Carter Combs, June 15 Reservoir Fog, June 28 Mountain ReVerb and June 29 and Aug. 17 Steepland String Band.
Niwot
Rock and Rails: Niwot’s lively summer series brings local bands to Whistle Stop Park every Thursday night through August. Food trucks and local beer vendors will be on hand, and patrons can bring chairs and blankets. Murray Street and First Avenue, Niwot; niwot.com. Lineup — June 6 The Hot Lunch Band, June 13 The Alcapones, June 20 Twenty Hands High, June 27 One On One, July 11 The Long Run, July 18 Chris Daniels & The Kings, July 25 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Aug. 1 Last Men on Earth, Aug. 8 My Blue Sky, Aug. 15 Face Vocal Band, Aug. 22 The Nalani Effect, Aug. 29 Hazel Miller and the Collective.
Lyons
Mainstage Brewing: The latest venue to pop up in Lyons promises months of must-attend shows in an awesome setting; 450 Main St., Lyons; mainstagebrewing.com. Lineup — TBA.
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival: Plant your chair on the St. Vrain River for three days of incredible music, food, libations and tubing; Aug. 9-11; $95-$205; Planet Bluegrass, 500 W. Main St., Lyons; bluegrass.com/planet. Lineup — Aug. 9 The Wood Brothers, John Vincent III, Handmade Moments, Sir Woman, Willi Carlisle, Michaela Anne; Aug. 10 Bonny Light Horseman, Pokey LaFarge, The Mother Hips, Margo Cilker, Making Movies, Peter Mulvey, Cindy Kalmenson; Aug. 11 Brittany Howard, Jamestown Revival, The Watson Twins, Darlingside, Alsia Amador, the Faux Paws and The Harlem Gospel Travelers.
RockyGrass: Now in its 52th year, this weekend festival keeps getting better with age. July 26-28; $105-$255; Planet Bluegrass, 500 W. Main St., Lyons; bluegrass.com/planet. Lineup — July 26 Sarah Jarosz, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Della Mae, Sam Grisman Project, John Reischamn & Old Acoustic, Kristin Andreassen & Chris Eldridge, The Fretliners; July 27 Sam Bush Bluegrass Band, Del McCoury Band, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, The Brothers Comatose, Henhouse Prowlers, The Slocan Ramblers, The Cody Sisters; July 28 Dan Tyminski, Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band, Sister Sadie, Tim O’Brien Band, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys, Two Runner, Solar Sisters.
Louisville
Louisville Underground: A hidden speakeasy that hosts live entertainment in the heart of downtown; 640 Main St., Louisville; thelouisvilleunderground.com; Lineup — June 1 Full Belly, June 21 Improvarama and June 22 The Pretty Shabbies.
Music festivals
Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, June 20-23
Country Jam Colorado, Grand Junction, July 20-22
Global Dance Festival, Denver, July 26-27
Rockygrass Festival, Lyons, July 26-28
SnowyGrass, Estes Park, July 12-14
Telluride Jazz Festival, Telluride, Aug. 9-11
JAS Labor Day Experience, Snowmass, Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Caveman Music Festival, Weston, Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Telluride Blues and Brews, Telluride, Sept. 13-15
