May is filled with finals prep, the first notions of summer and lots of lacrosse. However, the (hopefully) warm month is full of something else: entertaining concerts held by dozens of talented musicians. Below is a list of just a few of the concerts worth checking out.
Matt & Kim – May 5
This dreamy duo dances their way to the Ogden on May 5. Matt & Kim, responsible for hit “Daylight,” are touring in support of their album release, “New Glow,” which dropped this month. The pair toured extensively last year, playing festivals such as Riot Fest and headlining their own tours. Indie pop isn’t much sweeter than this, so get tickets on the Ogden Theater website and put on your dancing shoes.
Openers have not yet been announced for the show.
For fans of: Walk the Moon, Tegan and Sara
Twin Peaks, Plum, Ned Garthe Explosion – May 14
Hailing from Chicago, this rock and roll quintet is heading to the Hi-Dive on May 14 as part of the Red Bull Select concert series. Garage rock encompasses a big spectrum, but Twin Peaks stands out among the rest, supported by a fiery youthfulness that is reminiscent of old rock. Twin Peaks has an impressive touring schedule this year, playing at festivals such as Lollapalooza and Firefly; make sure you catch these Chicago boys before they move on up to the big leagues.
Local band Plum, a psychedelic rock group, will be one of two openers for Twin Peaks. Plum has released two singles, “Hello Miss Yellow” and “Behind Your Man,” both of which are crafted with meticulous harmonies and a sound highly inspired by the ‘60s and ‘70s. The group’s Facebook bio simply reads “psychedelic flashbacks, soundtracks for daydreams.” It would be unwise to miss this groovy group, so make sure you arrive when doors open. Plum is also slated to play the Underground Music Showcase this July.
Ned Garthe Explosion will play first, blaring their explosion of rock. Also hailing from Denver, the band is a mashup of party vibes, rock and aggressive vocals.
Tickets are first come, first serve at the door and are only $3 if you RSVP on the Red Bull Select website.
For fans: Foxygen, Ty Segall
The Decemberists, Spoon, Courtney Barnett – May 27
Red Rocks is the place to be in May if you want to get down with your folky self with The Decemberists, and then do some dancing to the indie setlist of Spoon. The two groups will be coming together for a massive co-headliner at Red Rocks Amphitheater on May 27. Pairing the two may seem odd due to the difference in genres, but it will undoubtedly be a show to remember.
Courtney Barnett, Australian singer-songwriter, will start off this concert with sweet, indie crooning and a witty attitude. Wilting, deadpan vocals are some of Barnett’s trademarks, and her album showcases some serious talent. Her debut album, “Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes, I Just Sit” was released in March, and is available for free streaming so check it out before you head to see her.
With two headliners, and an obviously entertaining opener, the show is at risk of selling out, so buy them on AXS ticketing as soon as possible.
For fans of: Death Cab for Cutie, The War on Drugs
Tame Impala, White Denim – May 30
Groovy tunes, Australian accents, and neo-psych—this is what you will find at the Tame Impala show on May 30 at the Ogden. Tame Impala is band that is set to impress; the quintet was recently declared by Billboard as one of the best acts of Coachella 2015.
Tame Impala just announced its follow up to “Lonerisms,” an album that received wildly positive reviews from critics. The new album’s release date has yet to be announced, but Tame Impala has revealed it will be titled “Currents.”
The opener, White Denim, will start the show with a groovy, rock sound. The Texas natives have obvious influences from garage rock, psych rock and indie, creating a unique vibe that will capture anyone’s attention. Show up early to catch this talented group.
The show is sold out on the Ogden Theater website, but you can still snag some tickets on StubHub.
For fans of: MGMT, Temples
These are just a few of the concerts happening this May, so keep up-to-date to learn about upcoming shows. The Ogden, The Bluebird, Red Rocks, The Fillmore Auditorium and the Hi-Dive are just a few of the venues in Denver that are constantly hosting shows, so pay special attention to their social media sites.
It’s also worthwhile to download BandsInTown—an app that automatically sends you an alert when your favorite bands have announced a show.
