Contact CU Independent News Staff Writer Gavin Daugherty at gavin.daugherty@colorado.edu.
Silversun Pickups
The acclaimed and genre-defining rock band Silversun Pickups will be playing at the Ogden this week. The group has been noted for their musical risk-taking, as they produce an entirely new sound with each successive album. The band has also been known for its unique melodies and “pure sonic force” — there is definitely never a dull moment during a Silversun Pickups performance. If you’re a fan of indie rock and eccentric sounds, check out Silversun Pickups on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. with opener Foals.
Michael Franti
Was 2009 a good year for you? One of the biggest hit-makers of that year, reggae fusion artist Michael Franti, of “Say Hey (I Love You)” fame, will be playing at the Ogden Wednesday. Beyond his catchy single, Franti is active in more serious causes — he’s a noted filmmaker and humanitarian activist — and attempts to inspire people in a positive way through his music. This lauded singer-songwriter said it best, quoted as saying “Music is sunshine” in his Ogden bio. With finals just around the corner, most Buffs could probably use a bit more positivity in their lives. To elevate your pre-finals week, check out Michael Franti, playing at The Ogden on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. with openers A Great Big World and The Rua.
Jason Isbell
In a discussion of America’s greatest singer songwriters, one typically thinks of names like Young, Springsteen, Dylan and… Isbell? Some would say country and rock artist Jason Isbell will be on that list in relatively short order. Isbell most recently put out his emotional, honest and soul-bearing album Something More than Free, in which he explores “the dignity of work, the difficulty of love, and the friction between the present and the past,” as his Odgen bio says.
If you are in the mood to see a soulful, empathetic and up-and-coming songwriter, be sure to check out Jason Isbell in an intimate setting like the Ogden. With his current trajectory, Isbell’s next Denver tour stop might be at the Pepsi Center. Jason Isbell will be playing at the Ogden on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 11. Both shows start at 9 p.m. with opener Rayland Baxter.
Sing it To Me Santa: Colorado Rocks for Teachers!
It is “the season of giving,” and what better way to give back than by rocking out at the Ogden with local celebrities like Governor Hickenlooper (who is performing), Billy Nershi of The String Cheese Incident, and many more talented musicians? This festive concert will benefit the Denver Public Schools Foundation and is sure to be a night to remember. With over a dozen confirmed acts, and a promise of many special guests, “Sing it To Me Santa,” is an excellent way to hear some of Colorado’s most talented musical artists. To start the holiday season with a festive bang, check out this benefit show on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
