If you’re the type who pays regular attention to what shows are coming to Colorado, you’ve probably noticed that this summer might do some irreparable damage to your bank account. It feels like every week this spring AEG and local concert promoters have been rolling out show after show after show, ranging from hype acts to reunion tours to Nickelback.

CU students at the Altitude Music Festival in Balch Fieldhouse on April 28. (David Zimmerman File/CU Independent

With so many shows happening every week this summer, how can you make sure you won’t drunkenly purchase a ticket and then totally space on going to the show? Not to worry fellow concert friends, the CU Independent is here to bring you the definitive guide to live music in Colorado, the Summer 2012 Edition™.

The Boulder Theater

Social Distortion w/ Toadies: Thursday, May 10

Grandmothers of Invention: Sunday, May 13

Trampled by Turtles: Thursday, May 17

James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) DJ Set: Thursday, August 2

The Fox Theatre

Curren$y: Wednesday, May 16

Best Coast w/ JEFF The Brotherhood: Saturday, May 26

The Fox will be renovating its ceiling during June and July, and as such no further shows will be held until August.

Red Rocks

The Fray: Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12

Global Dub Festival (Featuring Flux Pavillion and Datsik): Friday, May 18

LMFAO: Monday, May 28

The Shins: Tuesday, May 29

Bon Iver w/ Feist: Thursday, May 31

Bassnectar w/ Diplo Friday, w/ Flying Lotus Saturday: Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2

Michael Franti and Spearhead: Friday, June 8

Big Head Todd and the Monsters w/ The Barenaked Ladies: Saturday, June 9

Ghostland Observatory: Friday, June 15

STS9: Saturday, June 16

Wilco w/ Punch Brothers Fri., w/ Dr. Dog Sat.: Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23

Avicii: Tuesday, June 26

Avett Bros: Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30

Foster the People: Tuesday, July 3

String Cheese Incident: Thursday, July 5, Friday, July 6 and Saturday, July 7

The Beach Boys – 50^th Anniversary Tour: Monday, July 9

An Evening with Yanni Under the Stars: Friday, July 13

O.A.R. w/ Rebelution: Sunday, July 15

Emmylou Harris/Steve Martin/Arlo Guthrie: Wednesday, July 18

Global Dance Festival: Friday, July 20, Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22

Florence + The Machine: Wednesday, July 25

Tenacious D w/ The Sights: Thursday, July 26

CAKE w/ The Lumineers: Saturday, July 28

My Morning Jacket w/ Band of Horses & Trombone Shorty: Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4

Passion Pit and Justice: Tuesday, August 7

Jack White: Wednesday, August 8

Thievery Corporation w/ Beats Antique: Friday, August 10

Pretty Lights w/ Diplo Fri., w/ Flying Lotus Sat.: Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18

311 & Slightly Stoopid: Sunday, August 19

Crosby, Stills & Nash: Tuesday, August 21

The Ogden Theatre

Trampled by Turtles: Friday, May 18

The Civil Wars: Wednesday, May 23

Of Monsters and Men w/ Yellow Ostrich: Monday, May 28

Santigold: Tuesday, May 29

Childish Gambino: Tuesday, June 5

Die Antwoord: Monday, August 6

The Bluebird Theater

Curren$y: Thursday, May 17

Xiu Xiu: Wednesday, May 23

Blitzen Trapper: Tuesday, May 29

Destroyer: Saturday, June 9

Danielle Ate the Sandwich: Sunday, June 10

Dirty Projectors: Friday, July 20

Bombay Bicycle Club: Monday, August 6

Westword Music Showcase

Girl Talk, Battles, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis + Tons of Local Bands: Saturday, June 23

Summit Music Hall

Daedelus w/ TOKiMONSTA: Saturday, May 12

Neon Trees: Tuesday, May 29

Balkan Beat Box: Tuesday, June 5

Tycho: Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30

Chautauqua

Indigo Girls: Sunday, June 10

Tennis w/ Paper Bird: Saturday, June 16

Josh Ritter: Monday, July 16

Lucinda Williams: Saturday, July 21

Blind Pilot: Saturday, August 11

Andrew Bird: Wednesday, August 15

And last but not least…

The Pepsi Center
Nickelback: Sunday, June 10

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sam Goldner at Samuel.goldner@colorado.edu.