Big-time music festivals always seem to just book big-time acts, and sometimes local bands (especially those that aren’t part of popular genres) can be left behind. However, some fests fortunately realize the importance of booking Colorado natives. Look below to support some local music at fun festivals in and around Denver.
1.) Underground Music Showcase*
Denver
July 23-26
Price: $50 for a 4-day pass
The Underground Music Showcase (UMS) is now in its 15th year, and it just keeps getting better and better. This festival is well known in the indie music scene of Denver, and rightfully so as it books over 400 acts, many of which are local. UMS has a heavy emphasis on indie rock and pop, but also features folk, electronic, house and more. Grab a ticket for only $50 and see prominent local bands, like The Velveteers (rock,) South of France (indie-pop,) Andy Sydow (folk/Americana,) and French Kettle Station (electronic). Don’t have 50 bucks? Fill out a volunteer application, work one or two shifts and experience the rest of the festival for free. UMS takes place in multiple locations around South Broadway.
*Mile-High Soundwaves will be covering UMS, so check out the blog at the end of the July for a sweet recap.
Loveland
August 7-9
Price: $179 for a 3-day pass
Local electronica dominates the bill for this festival, but other genres such as blues, rock, hip-hop and folk are also represented. So even if you aren’t a fan of electronica, you’ll always have an act to watch. ARISE Music Festival takes place at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, about an hour away from Denver, and it’s described on its website as a “music, yoga, activism and co-creative camping festival,” booking a few nationally-known headliners and dozens of local groups. This year, the most-well known headliner is the popular Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, a folk group from California. Local acts include Tatanka (dub), MIRAJA (electronic), Human Agency (hip-hop) and at least a dozen more groups from Denver. The daily schedule is already out, but three-day passes are on sale so grab them before they disappear.
3.) Bohemian Nights
Fort Collins
August 14-16
Price: Free
Bohemian Nights takes place in the Old Town Fort Collins, about an hour and a half north of Denver. This festival is sure to be a blast; besides music, Bohemian Nights offers food, dancing and even a carnival. The fest offers three popular acts from around the country, but even one of these national acts, Flobots (hip-hop), is local. Rodrigo y Gabriela, a flamenco acoustic duo, is also one of the headliners, and the third secret guest has yet to be announced. Local acts are a huge component of Bohemian Nights—so much, in fact, that the festival uses members of Fort Collins’ Musicians Association during the festival to suggest local bands playing and answer any questions you have about Colorado native music. If this festival seems too good to be true, it gets even better—entry to Bohemian Nights is completely free.
Who needs Lollapalooza and Coachella when you have these great festivals in your own backyard? No need to spend hundreds of dollars on tickets, travel and outfits. Most of these are much, much cheaper than the average fest, but guarantee just as much fun.
