Music Buff: Summer concerts

(CU Independent illustration/Kelly Kaoudis)

The cancellation of the Mile High Music Festival may have scratched  some students’ summer plans, but there are plenty of other opportunities for students to see their favorite bands live in the great state of Colorado.

As the summer concert schedule gets into full swing, students can choose to attend performances at outdoor venues like Comfort Dental Amphitheater, formerly known as Fiddler’s Green, or small indoor settings like Boulder’s own Fox Theatre.

Brian Ruddle, a 20-year-old sophomore anthropology and political science double major, said he enjoys the atmosphere of big venues.

“I like big venues because you can get into the crowd,” Ruddle said. “The audience can be its own thing when there are thousands of people cheering.”

Eric Sciarrone, a 22-year-old senior English major, said he enjoys the intimacy of small settings.

“Smaller venues are better,” Sciarrone said. “You get to see the stage better, you can hear better. You can focus more on the music than the spectacle.”

While some students want to attend summer concerts, they said they won’t be able to due to financial constraints.

“I’d pay up to twenty dollars at most for concerts, but there are some exceptions,” said Natasha Wettstein, a 20-year-old sophomore psychology major.

For those willing to splurge a little this summer, check out the following upcoming concerts:

Rock

U2 360 Tour at INVESCO Field at Mile High
May 21 7:00 p.m.
Ticket price: $33 to $278

After Bono injured his back last year, the band postponed the tour a year for the frontman to recover. Fans with tickets have anxiously been waiting to see Ireland’s arguably most famous band to return to a Colorado venue.

Jam Band

The Disco Biscuits
May 26 and 27 at the Ogden Theater
May 28 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Ticket price: $55.40

The band plays an unique style called “trance fusion,” which mixes the sounds of rock, jazz and electronica.

Country

Kenny Chesney with Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker
July 6 through 8 at Red Rocks Amphitheater
7:00 p.m.
Ticket price: $60.50 to $92.35

Chesney is returning to the tour circuit after taking a break last year. The four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Award is sure to impress.

Funk Rock

Unity Tour 2011 311 and Sublime with Rome
August 16 at Red Rocks Amphitheater
5:30 p.m.
Ticket price: $73.90

The cool, relaxed sounds of this trio of bands will make for a chill night under the stars.

Pop

Katy Perry
July 26
1STBANK Center
7:30 p.m.
Ticket price: Starting at $94 on concert ticket center

This firework is likely to light up the stage with radio hits such as “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls,” and “Hot N Cold.” Be prepared for a peppy evening complete with blue wigs.

For a full schedule of summer concerts coming near the Boulder-Denver area click here for more information.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Rose Heaphy at [email protected].