Colorado will host a wide variety of music festivals this summer, bringing internationally renowned acts like Modest Mouse, Mumford & Sons and Sufjan Stevens to the Centennial State while also showcasing local artists.
At established institutions like the Underground Music Showcase and Westword Music Showcase, recent additions like Riot Fest and new events like the Bluebird District Music Festival, fans of new music in Colorado will have ample options to get out and see live music in the coming warm and sunny months.
Here's our handy guide to the state's music festivals. Read up on what each event has to offer, and browse our interactive map for more details:
Gentlemen of the Road Salida Stopover
AUG. 21-22
British Grammy winners Mumford & Sons celebrate the release of their third album, "Wilder Mind," with a five-stop traveling festival which concludes in Salida. The two-day event features camping and local food and drink.
Highlights: Mumford & Sons, Flaming Lips, Jenny Lewis, tUnE-yArDs
Riot Fest
AUG. 28-30
Another year means another location for Riot Fest. Previously taking place at May Farms in Byers and Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, Riot Fest will lay anchor at Denver's Western Stock Show Complex for 2015. Appropriately, the three-day event has rebranded itself as Riot Fest & Rodeo.
Highlights: Modest Mouse, Iggy Pop, Pixies, Run DMC, Speedy Ortiz
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
SEPT. 18-20
Now entering its 21st year, Telluride Blues & Brews offers roots-centric music and craft microbrews from Colorado and beyond. Set in scenic Telluride at an altitude of 8,750 feet, the views at the festival led the late B.B. King to remark in 2004: "Out of the 90 different countries I've been to, I've never seen anything more beautiful than what you have here."
Highlights: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Gregg Allman, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Past Events
Hi-Dive Garage Fest
June 5-6
Colorado craft brewery New Belgium presents Garage Fest at the Hi-Dive, one of Denver's best spots to see live rock music. Fourteen bands, including some of Colorado's most energetic performers, take over the South Broadway venue for two nights of garage, punk and blues rock.
Highlights: Zebroids, The Blue Rider, Colfax Speed Queen, Dirty Few
Westword Music Showcase
JUNE 20
While most events listed here spread performances across a weekend, Westword Music Showcase manages to host over 100 performances in a single day. Denver's Golden Triangle district is the spot for this eclectic showing of local acts and national headliners organized by the free Denver weekly from which the event takes its name.
Highlights: Flume, The Black Angels, MisterWives, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, In the Whale
Bluebird District Music Festival
JULY 10-12
A new event in Denver, the Bluebird District Music Festival takes over East Colfax neighborhood venues the Bluebird Theater, Lost Lake Lounge, Goosetown Tavern, Southside Bar Kitchen and Park House for three days of local music. Over 80 bands are scheduled to perform for the inaugural local music festival.
Highlights: A. Tom Collins, Dragondeer, King Rat, Dirty Few
The Denver Post Underground Music Showcase
JULY 23-26
Colorado's premier event for local and independent music, the UMS boasts over 400 acts across Denver's South Broadway neighborhood, including the Hi-Dive, Skylark Lounge and the outdoor UMS Main Stage. With the high percentage of local artists performing, the four days of UMS provide a generous sampling of what Colorado has to offer musically.
Highlights: STRFKR, DIIV, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Tennis, Mac McCaughan
ARISE Music Festival
AUG. 7-9
Loveland's Sunrise Ranch will host ARISE once again in 2015. The lineup is heavy on jam bands and electronica, with a number of Colorado acts filling out the bill. In addition to music, ARISE offers yoga and workshops with a focus on honing creativity and harmony.
Highlights: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes, The Congress, Shook Twins
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
AUG. 14-16
Now in its 25th year, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival prides itself on mellow moods, scenic views and gifted performers. Set in Lyons, which NPR once dubbed "the Nashville of the Rockies," the event will feature indie singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens' sole Colorado performance of 2015.
Highlights: Sufjan Stevens, Jason Isbell, Richard Thompson
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest
AUG. 14-16
This free, all-ages event in downtown Fort Collins is set to bring three nationally renowned headliners along with a healthy showing of Colorado bands for its 11th year. NewWestFest also offers arts and crafts, food and a carnival to add to the festival atmosphere.
Highlights: TBA
