Denver’s Essential Concert Calendar for October 21 – 27, 2010
Written by Mrs. Tansy Maude Peregrine // October 21, 2010 // The Problem of Leisure // No comments
While it’s true that great musical acts play in Denver each week, it’s not every week that the performers in question are also all on NME’s Cool List. Even though it’s too late to get tickets to see Marcus Mumford (#11) of Mumford and Sons’ sold out show, there are still tickets available for Of Montreal and Janelle Monáe (#2), Sleigh Bells (Alexis Krauss #47) and Avi Buffalo (Avi Zahner-Isenberg # 67). If sliding into NME’s slipstream of hype brings you down, then check out local purveyors of cool, the Overcasters, who planned an Album Release Festival at the Weather Center this week. Don’t forget to consult Gigbot for an exhaustive listing of local and national acts who are on tap to play Metro Denver.
October 23: Sleigh Bells and Pictureplane
Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller are sure to have their “A machines on the table” when they play the Larimer Lounge on Saturday night. Since releasing Treats, their debut, the duo has earned nearly universal praise for their noisy, glitchy, downright unforgettable tunes. Local electronic maestro Pictureplane opens the show. Both acts push genre boundaries, but never forget to make music that is both edgy and fun. It’s a pairing so natural that our own Father Guido saw it coming way back in March.
Larimer Lounge 2721 Larimer Street Denver, CO 80205
October 24: Of Montreal and Janelle Monáe
Of Montreal puts on a great live show, but revving up your act after Janelle Monáe has had the floor is nearly impossible. Even the irrepressible Kevin Barnes has to take a back seat to his opening act on this tour. Monáe knows how to use the live setting to her advantage. Not only is her voice every bit as strong as it is on Metropolis, but her backing band is so tight that there is hardly room to breathe in between the notes. Even without Big Boi in tow, her rendition of “Tightrope” will leave concertgoers wishing for an instant replay button to pause and replay live performances.
Ogden Theater 935 E. Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80218
October 25: Avi Buffalo
Though Avi Buffalo hail from Long Beach, CA, the band’s sound is open and expansive, more like the heartland prairie than SoCal’s urban beaches. Avi Buffalo’s groove will appeal to anyone that likes loose guitar solos and catchy, sing-a-long choruses. Leader Avi Zahner-Isenberg sounds a bit like a younger Doug Martsch. Opening the show will be Baltimore duo Wye Oak, whose own emotive, rootsy songwriting should meld well with Avi Buffalo.
Hi-Dive 7 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80223
