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.
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 – 50th 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.