Yes, Cher Will Be Bringing the 'Dressed To Kill' Tour to Denver!

It’s now official. The one and only Cher herself revealed that she will kick off her “Dressed To Kill” 49 city North American Tour beginning in Phoenix on March 22 and coming to Denver on May 28 at the Pepsi Center, baby!

Cher shared the happy news with her fans following her performance on the Today Show this morning.

Mumford and Sons: Lovers of the Light

By John Hill

There are certain artists that seem custom-made for certain live venues. Watching U2's Live at RedRocks: Under a Blood Red Sky, you would be forgiven for thinking the red rocks that frame the amphitheater were visualized by a brilliant set designer if you didn't know that Red Rocks is nature at its finest. While Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado was already a popular venue well before 1983, the concert film announcing U2 to the world assisted the venue in becoming legendary not only for spectators but for bands as well.

Such was the case with Mumford and Sons on August 28th as they hit the stage for their first of two nights at Red Rocks. Natives to Colorado who frequent Red Rocks concerts are used to artists expressing gratitude just being able to play at such a legendary venue, and Marcus Mumford and company were no exceptions. While simply playing a show at Red Rocks is humbling to most, for Mumford and Sons it was also added pressure as both nights were filmed for inclusion in a documentary/concert film documenting their journey to this acoustic landmark. In fact, the projection screen on the right side of the stage showed some of the best footage you have ever seen at a concert, giving a good indication of the quality of what is to come with their film.
 

Besides putting on a lively, well-paced show, Mumford and Sons also previewed music from their just-released sophomore release Babel. Footage from the August 28^th performance of their new single “I Will Wait” was released as the official video less than two weeks later (see above video). In fact, the Mumford boys played about half of Babel at Red Rocks almost a month prior to the album’s release, and yet the new songs fit right in with the familiar tracks that the crowd knew very well.

For me, the familiarity of new songs to a listener who has never heard them can be a blessing and a curse. The blessing comes from an instantaneous acceptance of the new material, but the curse comes in casual listeners not necessarily being able to discern one song from another. However, when listening to Babel, it is a small complaint for an otherwise stellar album.

When “I Will Wait” was released, many fans felt that the Mumfords were lightening up a bit, but the main themes of dealing with the struggles of life both in outward and inward interactions are still intact. While “I Will Wait” sounds like an upbeat song, the theme of asking forgiveness for some transgression and waiting for that forgiveness is not exactly uplifting.  In fact, asking for forgiveness appears a few times on Babel, most notably on highlight “Lover of the Light,” where Marcus states “I have done wrong, so build your tower,” and “Ghosts That We Knew,” with its shameful “and close my eyes from my recent disgrace.”

If you want to pay a few more dollars and pick up the Deluxe Edition of Babel, you will be rewarded with what I believe is the best cover version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer” that I’ve ever heard. With original singer Paul Simon on the track and renowned steel guitarist Jerry Douglas providing a haunting accompaniment, Marcus Mumford proves he is just as adept at singing a straight-ahead story as he is in a song shrouded in metaphors. The world-weariness of Mumford’s vocals adds a grittiness to the boxer’s tale, making this remake a great companion to the shiny delivery of Simon and Garfunkel’s original.

Mumford and Sons have picked right up where they left off with debut disc Sigh No More and now have a rabid fan following that will embrace Babel and sing along with every track. From the rollicking title cut to the touching closer “Not with Haste,” both existing fans and newcomers will find something to embrace and love.

While his full-time job is in education, John Hill also writes a successful music blog titled Pop Music Notes. He is also active on Twitter @popmusicnotes and lives in Denver with his partners in crime James and Bruiser.

Eric Himan tonight in Denver!

Openly gay musician Eric Himan comes to Swallow Hill (don't laugh!) tonight in Denver. He's a great guy and a heckuva performer so be sure to check out the show, which he describes as "some great music with a solid message about life, love, and the LGBT community."

He's also got a new DVD out, Under The Ink: Live.

Says Himan, "The new DVD, "UNDER THE INK: LIVE!" is a show of mine taped at my CD Release party for my latest disc, SUPPOSED UNKNOWN, where I am backed by some amazing musicians including a string quartet. It follows my 10 year career through my songs."

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Tour comes to Denver

Fresh off her first ever International Tour, Grammy nominated artist Nicki Minaj will be taking her Pink Friday Tour to North America. The 15 stop North American tour will begin July 16th in Chicago and wrap up August 12th in Vancouver, British Columbia. Minaj will coming to Denver on August 2 at The Wells Fargo Theater (tickets on sale beginning May 12 at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com) If the international tour is any indicator, tickets won’t be available for long. When Minaj first announced her plans for her Pink Friday International Tour, tickets for shows in the UK, Japan, and Australia were all sold out within hours.

In addition to the Pink Friday Tour dates, Minaj will also play several radio shows in various markets. Starting off May 10th with KYLD in San Francisco, Minaj will then hit KPWR in Los Angeles on May 12th, WRDR in Philadelphia on June 1st, WJMN in Boston on June 2nd, Hot 97 Summer Jam in New York on June 3rd and WZMX in Hartford on July 20th.

Nicki will also be bringing back her infamous VIP Meet and Greets on this upcoming US Tour. Fans will have the opportunity to get an exclusive VIP laminate and lithograph, access to be the first to enter the venue night of show and a meet-and-greet with Nicki herself. During each meet-and-greet, Minaj will sign autographs and take photos with fans. Fans can purchase this exclusive VIP package by going to www.mypinkfriday.com

Minaj released her second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded on April 3rd where it debuted atop the Billboard 200 list and was # 1 in the US, UK, Canada and Japan. Currently, Minaj is shooting the video for her next single "Right by my side."

DON'T THINK: The Chemical Brothers Spill Onto The Big Screen

The Chemical Brothers perform at Denver's Fillmore Auditorium, September 2010

by Toby Click

For nearly twenty years, The Chemical Brothers have created electronic music designed for listening as much as dancing. So perhaps this makes them especially suited to being the subject of a concert film.

Don't Think is a full-length movie, directed by Adam Smith (who made a complete set of videos for all the songs on the British duo's 2010 album Further). Chronicling a performance at Japan's Fuji Rock Festival 2011, it was shown in movie theaters across the nation in a one-night-only event on February 1.

If you have not seen Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons perform live, this is arguably the next best thing. No less than twenty cameras were positioned on the stage, above the stage, in the audience, near the concession stands, all with the goal of capturing the experience from every viewpoint.

The pair performs against an enormous dazzling video backdrop, which displays imagery such as toy robots, 3-D zooms through cathedrals, wild animals, silhouetted lovers, and a giant evil clown commanding the audience to "get yourself high." Throughout, we see the reactions of the audience: some are amused, exhilarated, bewildered, disturbed. At one point, pictures of crickets are projected onto the ground, and curious fans chase after them like a cat following a laser pointer.

Songs include most of their better-known hits: "Block Rockin' Beats", "Star Guitar", "Out of Control", and the title's inspiration: "Don't Think", a bonus track from Further that figured prominently in another movie, Black Swan. A generous portion of screentime is devoted to the sprawling epic "Escape Velocity".

The mix does not simply blend each song's finish into the beginning of the next, but there is layering of elements, sometimes from three or more tracks at once. There's a lot more going on than a couple of guys on a stage pressing a spacebar on a laptop. Although there's a particular moment, when a single finger presses a single key labeled "HBHG", which sends the audience into raptures with the droning intro of "Hey Boy Hey Girl". In a post-movie commentary, the director points out how he included this moment to illustrate how something as simple as pressing one button can ignite such an emotional response among thousands of people at once. And Tom & Ed have many, many buttons at their disposal.

Although no announcements have yet been made, it stands to reason that Don't Think will soon be available for home video and/or audio. When and if it shows up, give it a listen. And maybe dance, too.

Concert Review: Me Talk Pretty One Night

by Toby Click

One Saturday evening last month, I went to the Gothic Theatre to see a lineup of punk bands performing as part of the "Wake Up!" Tour. With a small but enthusiastic crowd, these up-and-coming performers put on an energetic show.

The first band, the Texas-based Avion Roe, took the stage around 7 pm. They first formed about a year ago, and during the summer they played a few dates on the Vans Warped Tour (as have all the featured bands). Singer Evan Lester screamed through their set, while bassist Sean Humphrey climbed atop a speaker and took a dive to the stage.

Avion Roe

Next on tap: Madina Lake. Hailing from Chicago, their music is infused with a storyline about a fictional 1950s town, and a mysterious disappearance. Clues to the mystery can supposedly be found in their lyrics, in album artwork, and on their website.

Madina Lake

Finally, Me Talk Pretty came on. According to singer Uliana Preotu, the band takes its name from the David Sedaris book Me Talk Pretty One Day. Her favorite song, "Wake Up", is dedicated to her deceased mother. For this song, they have a special piano decorated with colorful handprints—one for every tour date, each made by a lucky fan.

Me Talk Pretty

I tell ya, you've gotta love these types of shows—bands who set up and break down their own equipment between acts, the ones you find later at the front door hawking their own merchandise. It makes me smile, seeing young, hardworking folks who—if they keep at it—just might find themselves huge someday. Good luck and best wishes to all of 'em!

Things to do in Denver When You're Gay: Denver Music Summit

This celebratory concert takes place tomorrow at the Bluebird Theater and will feature performances by some of Denver's best artists in classical, jazz, hip-hop and rock. Performers include the Lamont School of Music's Playground Ensemble, internationally-renowned jazz artist Ron Miles, local hip-hop luminaries Mane Rok, DeeJay Tense and Prime Element and local indie popsters Fingers of the Sun.


Tickets are only $10 and are available at  http://bluebirdtheater.net/eventdetail.php?id=29885.

Tom Goss - You Don't Question Love

Check out the latest from crooning cutie Tom Goss.

Out Loud presents Beauties and Beasts

Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus’ Spring Concert, “Beauties and Beasts,” will be presented Friday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 1 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 E. St. Vrain Street in Colorado Springs.

“This concert will feature songs about the dark and light sides of life,” summarized Out Loud Artistic Director Mark Zwilling. The concert features works as varied as Brian May’s “We Will Rock You,” Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run,” and Linda Spevacek’s Danza, followed by James Taylor’s “That Lonesome Road,” and James Mulholland’s “Think On Me,” a poem written by Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots in 1587.

Concert for a Cause: MileHi Sound, Night of Joy, Joshua Novak

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains presents a $5 night of music on Thursday, April 15 with MileHi Sound (professional snowboarders JJ Thomas and Jeff Cormack, they're out of Boulder and they're both adorable - see below), Joshua Novak, and Night of Joy.

It's a concert for a cause in honor of Planned Parenthood's GYT (Get Yourself Tested) campaign for STD Awareness Month.

The return of Lilith Fair

Live Nation presents 2010 Lilith Fair featuring Sarah McLachlan, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Emmylou Harris, Ingrid Michaelson, and more at the Comfort Dental Amphitheatre (the former Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, ugh, worst name change ever!) on Tuesday, July 13.

Much like the original Lilith Fair, there will be 11 artists on each date, with only two things staying the same every show: the Lilith Local Talent Search Ourstage.com winner who starts the day, and headliner Sarah McLachlan. The remaining acts on the line-up are constantly rotating from among more than 80 acts.

Artists performing on the second stage are Metric, Anjulie and Erin McCarley. Artists performing on the third stage are Rosie Thomas, Anya Marina and the Our Stage Winner.

Nearly 11 years since the last Lilith tour, the excitement surrounding the festival’s return grows daily.

Check out some of the initial responses to the news:

“Is this shaping up to be the best tour of the summer?” – Entertainment Weekly

“Well, the rumors were right on, and not only is Lilith Fair coming back, it’s coming back in a huge way, blending all musical styles.” – Rolling Stone

“Lilith Fair: Seriously, you might wanna go to this...”– USA Today “Pop Candy”

Tickets for Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour go on sale Monday

Get 'em while they're hot! - via Out Front Colorado

Broadway: What's Old is New Again

Denver Women's Chorus will present their all-Broadway Winter Concert, "Broadway: What's Old Is New Again" on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at First Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 South Colorado Boulevard, in Englewood.

Tickets and more info right here.

Out Loud presents Come Fly With Me

Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus, presents 'Come Fly With Me' on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 20 E. St. Vrain Street, in Colorado Springs.

Among the works Out Loud will present are Aaron Copland’s “Zion’s Walls” from his 1954 opera, The Tender Land; Susan Brumfield’s setting of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem, “The Wind”; Randall Thompson’s setting of Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping By The Woods on a Snowy Evening,” and the Imperials’ classic, “Swing Low/Swing Down.”

Out Loud will also sing Mark Brymer’s medley of highlights from 2006-Tony-Award-winning story of The Four Seasons, Jersey Boys, and of course, the concert’s title song, Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn’s “Come Fly With Me,” made famous as a Frank-Sinatra classic.

Billy Joel and Elton John: Face to Face at the Pepsi Center

Billy Joel and Elton John will bring their wildly successful Face 2 Face tour to Denver's Pepsi Center on November 22nd at 7:30pm. Since kicking off the 2009 Face 2 Face tour in March 2009, the duo have performed over 40 sold out concerts in front of nearly three-quarters of a million people.

Here comes your Pixies

Whoo-hoo!

The Pixies are coming to Denver's Fillmore Auditorium on November 16 and 17.

Click here for tickets.

And for more Pixies news, keep up with them on the official Pixies Twitter or on their Facebook.

Regina Spektor and Jupiter One at The Fillmore Auditorium

Regina Spektor and Jupiter One will be coming to Denver's Fillmore Auditorium on Saturday, November 7.

Jupiter One recently released their sophomore album 'Sunshower' with a sound that blends today's indie rock with the best of the '70s.


Regina Spektor is the acclaimed Soviet-born chanteuse who burst onto the music scene a couple of years ago with the smash hit 'Fidelity'.

Violent Soho come to Boulder

Masked behind an armor of flannel and denim, the Australian quartet Violent Soho bring their raging riffs, battering guitars, distorted angry vocals, and a rhythm section that threatens to flatten buildings. Hailing from Brisbane Australia's bible belt suburb of Mansfield, their music is a reaction against everyone and everything. The alternative noise-rockers will be in Boulder on October 29 at the Boulder Theatre with Dinosaur Jr.

Check out the video for 'Love is a Heavy Word' below.

Emmylou Harris in Boulder

Whoo-hoo! Emmylou Harris, one of my all-time favorite singers, is coming to Boulder's Macky Auditorium on November 20.

Brookville celebrates release of Broken Lights

Brookville released their third CD, 'Broken Lights', yesterday, and will perform at the Hi-Dive in Denver on Monday, October 5 and The B Side Lounge in Boulder on Tuesday, October 6 to celebrate.