Summertime means strolls in the park and parties around the grill. It’s music in the air and children shrieking at splash pads.
It’s the sweet scent of lilacs followed by hayfever sneezes.
Summer is a time to get some Vitamin D (with sunscreen). Drink some Sunny D (then rinse the thick coat of sugar off your tongue). It’s time to pull up a sheet and park it under a tree. It’s a time to grow watermelons, pollinator flowers and way too many zucchini plants.
It’s time to eat popsicles and hot dogs, watch fireworks and sparklers. It’s time to dress in eau de mosquito repellent and reminisce about Midwest fireflies.
It’s time to crack open a couple of adult beverages, dance in our ragged Birkenstocks and twirl under the stars like maniacs.
I often get stuck in June, then look up and it’s August. But this summer, I’m going to get my tail outside more and finally go see those local bands I’ve been writing/reading about for years. I’ll have a beer, a turkey leg and a new favorite song.
Below are a bunch of live music events we’ve compiled for you. From free outdoor concerts all across the Front Range to an open mic at your local watering hole, we’ve got summer’s soundtrack right here.
Broomfield
100 Nickel at Chipper’s Lanes: This bowling alley and dance party space hosts live music and DJs at 100 Nickel St., Broomfield; chipperslanes.com; Lineup — 7:30 p.m. June 25 – Blameshells with Mind Maps; 6:30 p.m. July 2 – Workingman’s Wednesdays, featuring Aoxomoxoa; 8:30 p.m. July 5 – Second Solstice; 7:30 p.m. July 9 – Matt Axton; 8 p.m. July 10 – Bass N Bowl; 8:30 p.m. July 11 – Wiji Moma with Battle For Alaska; 8 p.m. July 16 – There’s An Ape For That; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6 – Workingman’s Wednesdays, featuring Aoxomoxoa; 8 p.m. Aug. 20 – There’s An Ape For That.
Bands in the Garden at The Old Man: Enjoy music in the garden 7-10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through August at The Old Man, 4381 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield; theoldmanbar.com; Uncle Beefs Band, June 27 – Spearfish Junction, June 28 – Dirty Side Down, July 4 – Steve and The Cruisers (6-9 p.m., followed by fireworks viewing), July 5 – Gone2Long, July 11 – Mark Ham Band, July 12- Generation Jukebox, July 18 – Lee & Co, July 19 – Playback Denver, July 25 – Busted Bones, July 26 – Colorado Junction, Aug.1 – Wandering Roads, Aug. 2 – Lowfive, Aug. 8 – Off The Rail, Aug. 9 – Couple of Daze, Aug.15 – Mark Ham Band, Aug. 16 – Atomic Jones, Aug. 22 – J.K Halvorson, Aug. 23 – Spearfish Junction, Aug. 29 – Busted Bones, Aug. 30 – Colorado Junction.
Great American Picnic: Broomfield celebrates Independence Day with fun for the whole family. There will be inflatables, concessions, food vendors, a beer garden for those ages 21 and up and fireworks. Add a creative spin to the holiday in the one-of-a-kind bike parade, then enjoy the show with music starting at 6 p.m. from the female electric string quartet Spinphony, which jams out some rock and pop music to their unique arrangements. Denver-based That Eighties Band (Colorado’s famed 80s tribute band) will headline the show. Fireworks will be set off at 9:15 p.m.; 5 p.m. July 4, Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd., Broomfield; ticketed events; broomfield.org/611/Great-American-Picnic-July-4th.
The Night Owl: Every Thursday, swing by for a pop-up jam session at the bar. The new event will feature local musicians playing tunes, so if that describes you, go sign up for a slot to play. New to Broomfield, musician Jake Black will perform at 8 p.m. every other Thursday; 2000 W. Midway Blvd., Broomfield; free; facebook.com/nightowlloungebroomfield
Rails End Brewing: Sip on a local beer, grab a snack from a food truck and listen to live tunes. The brewery hosts an open mic night from 6-10 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. They have live bands perform, too, check the schedule here: railsendbeerco.com/live-music; 11625 Reed Court B, Broomfield.
Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival: Festival comes complete with stogies, brews, wine, spirits, food and the finer things in life; noon Aug. 16, Omni Interlocken Resort, 500 Interlocken Blvd., Broomfield; $80-$595; rmcigarfestival.com.
Summer Concert Series: Broomfield’s summer in the park features local tunes and food trucks; broomfield.org/3441/Summer-Concerts-Series; 6:30 p.m. June 11, Anthem Community Park, 15663 Sheridan Parkway, Broomfield, Denver singer-songwriter D.J. Williams headlines and Lafayette-based Wrenn Van Band opens the show; 6:30 p.m. June 25, Anthem Community Park, Denver-based Latinx alternative rock and hip-hop band 2MX2 headlines while Durango-based funk-jazz group Elder Grown opens the show; 6:30 p.m. July 9, Anthem Community Park, David Grey-esque singer-songwriter Brendan James headlines the show while opening act Sturtz, from Boulder, brings folk-inspired sound to the stage; 6:30 p.m. July 16, Midway Park, 1279 W. Midway Blvd., Broomfield, groove-rock headliner Mama Magnolia is a dynamic six-piece band and Boulder-based opening act Riley J Band will bring an energetic show to the stage; 6:30 p.m. July 23, Midway Park, Headliner Andrew Bees is a powerhouse reggae artist from Jamaica and the longtime frontman of the Grammy-winning band Black Uhuru. Opening act Green Buddha brings a high-energy fusion of reggae, funk, ska and soul; 6:30 p.m. July 30, Midway Park, Headliner Blessing Chimanga is an internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean musician known for talent on marimba, drums and vocals, opening act is folk-inspired singer-songwriter Dana Ariel.
Wonderland Brewing: Drink local beer, play mini golf, sit on the patio, play pickleball, play pinball or listen to live tunes. Music gigs run from 5-8 p.m.; 5450 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield; free; wonderlandbrewing.com: Lineup — June 28 – Firing Line; July 5 – Psychophonics (90s rock covers); July 11 – Final Eyes (’80s and ’90s covers); July 26 – Jokerville Band (covers); Aug. 2 -Spare Change; Aug. 9 – The Beloved Invaders; Aug. 16 Pot Belly Jammers; Aug. 23 – Father Figure (rock covers); 4-7 p.m. Aug. 30 – Johnny-O Band.
Boulder
Bands on the Bricks: Complete with a beer garden, downtown Boulder’s long-standing concert series offers free shows every Wednesday from 5-9 p.m. on the 1300 Block of Pearl Street; boulderdowntown.com. Lineup — June 25 Hazel Miller & The Collective, July 2 The Long Run, July 9 Selasee & The Fafa Family, July 16 Los Mocochetes, July 23 Drangondeer and July 30 The Mammoths.
Concerts in the Park: Pack a picnic and head to the park Monday evenings to hear the Boulder Concert Band play in a different local park each week; boulderband.org. Locations — June 23 – Foothills Community Park, June 30 – North Boulder Park, July 4 – Coal Creek Golf Course, July 7 – Harlow Platts Park/Viele Lake, July 14 – Martin Park, July 21 – Salberg Park, July 28 – East Palo Park, Aug. 4 – Chautauqua Park, Aug. 11 – Frasier Meadows Retirement and Aug. 18 – TBA.
Stone Cottage Studios: Two venues — one backyard, beneath the foothills in North Boulder at 3091 7th St. and one indoor in an artsy downtown house at 1928 Pearl Street — cap their intimate concerts at 90 outdoors and 25 indoors. stonecottagestudios.com. The intimate indoor shows serve apps and a post-show meet-and-greet: Catch two Boulder folk duos, Trouble’s Braids and The Ghost of Caroline at the Pearl Street spot on June 27. At the Summer Outdoor Series, in the backyard of a stone cottage in North Boulder, Guests are encouraged to bring low-back chairs, food and drinks. Lineup — July 11 – double bill featuring Nashville songwriter Maya de Vitry and Colorado’s Alexa Wildish, July 19 – Colorado songstress Megan Burtt’s new band Road Pony headlines, while California folk artist Dave Tate opens the showat a Stone Cottage host location, 3373 4th St., Boulder.
Lafayette
Art Night Out: Outdoor fun with an art market, food trucks, booze tents and live music from 5-9 p.m. on the second Fridays through September; South Public Road between Emma and Cannon Streets, Lafayette; lafayetteco.gov. Lineup — July 11 – Cass Clayton Band, Aug. 8 – iZCALLi and Sept. 12 – Colorado Mambo Orchestra.
Nissi’s: This spot brings in a range of national and regional entertainment with a slate of high-class cover bands to Lafayette; 1455 Coal Creek Drive, Unit T, Lafayette; nissis.com; Lineup — Santa Rios, June 22 – The Crystal Swing Band, June 25 – Nelson Rangell, June 26 – Val Chillmer, June 28 – Smokin’, July 2 – Dale Cisek Band, July 3 – Vudu Sunshine, July 8 – Face Vocal Band, July 9 – Johnny O Band, July 10 – The Maggie Valley Band, July 11 – Latin Sol, July 16 – ThreeShots Band, July 17 – Steve andThe Cruisers, July 18 – 6 Million Dollar Band, July 23 – Dan T. and The Crew, July 24 – Lookin Back, July 25 – The Jerseys and Mile High Motown, July 30 – Ariana Gibbard Trio, July 31 – The Everly Brothers Experience, Aug. 14 – The Goodies, Aug. 17 – Mike Masse, Aug. 20 – Delta Sonics, Aug. 26 – Face Vocal Band and Aug. 27 – Nelson Rengell.
Picnic on the Plaza: Pack a picnic for free concerts on the lawn from noon-1 p.m. Thursdays through mid-August; Festival Plaza, 311 S. Public Road, Lafayette; lafayetteco.gov. Lineup — June 26 – Los Bichos, July 3 – Ingrid Avison, July 10 – Rayna Marie, July 17 – Scott Fowler, July 24 – School of Rock, July 31 – Blessing Chimanga, Aug. 7 – Guillermo and Miguel and Aug. 14 – Laurie and Lorrie.
Longmont
The Bee Hugger Summer Concert Series: Supporting local musicians, nonprofits and farmers, this music series brings live music to the farm three Thursdays this summer. Families can feed the animals, purchase fresh raw honey and listen to live tunes; 12590 Ute Highway, Longmont; $20; bit.ly/43ttCwN; July 17 – Foxfeather, Aug. 7 – Mighty Holler
Farmfest Music Evenings at Sunflower Farm: On stage from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and some Fridays through early October, local musicians perform at this Longmont farm while food trucks plate up snacks and patrons can mingle with the furry farm friends; $27, reservations required; 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont; sunflowerfarminfo.com. Lineup — June 25 – Masangro, July 9 – Big Hooray, July 16 – Ragged Union, July 23 – Foggy Memory Boys, July 30 – Heavy Diamond Ring, Aug. 6 – David Lawrence and the Spoonful, Aug. 29 – Tierro Band and Bridget Law, Sept. 5 – Jake Leg, Sept. 12 – Timberline Troubadours, Sept. 19 – Sturtz, Sept. 26 – Boot Juice and Oct. 3 – The Sweet Lillies.
Longmont Downtown Summer Art & Music Series: In addition to live music, attendees can enjoy cuisine from food trucks, beer, kids’ activities and more from 4:30-9 p.m. Don’t miss this event at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Kimbark Street; downtownlongmont.com. Lineup — July 12 – Jenn Cleary, Mike Alt and The Bandits and Mary Louise Lee Band and Aug. 9 – Mojomamma and My Blue Sky.
Summer Concert Series at Longmont Museum: Enjoy free concerts on Thursday nights in the newly revamped courtyard as bands perform on the new pavilion at Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, Longmont. Lawn chairs and picnics are welcome. Alcohol can be purchased on site; longmontcolorado.gov. Lineup — June 26 – iZCALLi, July 10 – Blessing Chimanga, July 17 – Foggy Mountain Spaceship, July 24 – The Delta Sonics and July 31 – Bonnie and Taylor Sims.
Summer Concert Series at Village at the Peaks: Th.is free summer concert series is back Wednesday evenings with a bar on the village lawn, 1250 S. Hover Road, Longmont; villageatthepeaks.com. June 25 – Buckstein, July 9 – Funkiphino, July 16 – Stone Beat Invasion, July 23 – Wake Up and Live, July 30 – The Long Run.
Lyons
Sanstone Concert Series: Every Wednesday through Aug. 6, bring your lawn chairs to Sandstone Park and listen to the live music; 350 Broadway St., Lyons; lyonscolorado.com/summerconcerts; June 25 – High Lonesome, July 2- Ryan Chrys and The Rough Cuts, July 9 – Chris Daniels and The Kings, July 16 – Los Cheesies, July 23 – Bonnie & Taylor Sims Band, July 30 – Shuck Wagaon Bluegrass Band and Aug. 6- Halden Wofford and The Hi* Beams.
Louisville
Louisville Street Faire: For 25 years, Front Street has come alive in the summer with the magic of friends, family, community and live music. Enjoy, rain or shine, on eight Fridays through the summer; 5:30-9:30 p.m., Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front St., Louisville; downtownlouisvilleco.com; Lineup — June 27 – The Woods, July 11 – The Young Dubliners, July 18 – Hazel Miller abd The Collective and Chris Daniels and The Kings,July 25 – Firefall, Aug. 1 – Ten Years Gone and Aug. 8 – Dumpstaphunk.
Nederland
Nederland Summer Concert Series: Free summer concerts at Chipeta Park, 306 Lakeview Drive, Nederland; free; sweetwaveaudio.com/nederland-concert-series. The shows run from 4-7 p.m. and feature some of the area’s most renowned musicians. Lineup —July 4 – Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon) and Friends, with Amy Harron and Jason Hicks; July 12 – The Meditations, with The Alphatones; Aug. 2 – Lionel Young Band, featuring Erica Brown, with Damon Wood’s Harmonious Junk; Aug. 16 – Dave Watts (The Motet) and Friends, with the Bill McKay Band (Leftover Salmon, Derek Trucks).
Niwot
Rock and Rails: Niwot’s lively summer series brings local bands to Whistle Stop Park every Thursday night through August. Food trucks and local beer vendors will be on hand, and patrons can bring chairs and blankets. Murray Street and First Avenue, Niwot; niwot.com. Lineup — June 26 – The Wrenn Van Band and Rex Peoples, July 3 – Brian Brooks and Sundown Rising, July 10 – The Long Run, July 17 – Mighty Mystic, July 24 – Mojomamma, July 31 – Los Cheesies, Aug. 7 – Last Men On Earth, Aug. 14 – FACE, Aug. 21 – One on One and Aug. 28 – Hazel Miller and the Collective.
Superior
Superior Summer Concert Series: Bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to live music with snacks from area food trucks and a beer garden by Bambei Brewing at select summer concert evenings. June and July concerts will be held at Superior Commons Amphitheater,
2130 Creek View Way, and August concerts at the Downtown Superior Plaza, 2250 Main St.; free; superiorcolorado.gov; Lineup — June 28 – The Pamlico Sound; July 12 – Rebecca Folsom; July 26 – The Other Brothers; Aug. 9 – Los Cheesies; Aug. 23 – Tierro Band and Bridget Law.
Music festivals
• Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, June 19-22
• Country Jam Colorado, Grand Junction, June 26-28
• Rockygrass Festival, Lyons, July 25-27
• Telluride Jazz Festival, Telluride, Aug. 8-10
• Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Lyons, Aug. 8-10
• SnowyGrass, Estes Park, Aug. 21-24
• JAS Labor Day Experience, Snowmass, Aug. 29-31
• Caveman Music Festival, Weston, Aug. 28-31
• Telluride Blues and Brews, Telluride, Sept. 12-14
• Roots Music Festival, Boulder, Oct. 17-19
