Joe Hisaishi conducts the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall on Friday night, while The Who’s Tommy opens the same evening at the Buell Theatre, so the city’s two biggest stages start the weekend pulling in opposite directions. Nikki Glaser’s Paramount Theatre set and Chief Keef at the Fillmore add a sharp contrast in tone for Friday and Saturday.
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- Joe Hisaishi with Colorado Symphony Orchestra
- The Who’s Tommy at the Buell Theatre
- Nikki Glaser at the Paramount Theatre
- Gorillaz at Ball Arena
- Chief Keef at the Fillmore Auditorium
- Afrojack at The Mission Ballroom
- Chris Cagle at Grizzly Rose
- The Milk Carton Kids at Bluebird Theater
- Skitz Kraven at The Roxy Theatre
- Whales at The Church
Joe Hisaishi with Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Fri, Oct 16, 7:30 PM · Boettcher Concert Hall · from $105
Hisaishi wrote the scores for many of Studio Ghibli’s best-loved films, and hearing them played live by a full orchestra is a very different experience from watching them at home. Expect sweeping melodies arranged for the concert hall, with the Colorado Symphony filling Boettcher’s acoustic.
The Who’s Tommy at the Buell Theatre
Fri, Oct 16, 7:30 PM · Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre · from $69
Pete Townshend’s rock opera about a boy who retreats into silence after witnessing a crime is a classic of the musical stage. It is a loud, theatrical show that works well for anyone who loves big rock songs told through a story.
Nikki Glaser at the Paramount Theatre
Fri, Oct 16, 7:00 PM · Paramount Theatre – Denver · from $94
Glaser is one of the most recognisable stand-up comics working today, known for sharp, confident sets and a sly approach to dating and celebrity. The Paramount’s historic room suits a headline comedy night well.
Gorillaz at Ball Arena
Sun, Oct 18, 7:00 PM · Ball Arena · from $183
Damon Albarn’s animated band blends hip-hop, dub, electronic and rock into records that sound unlike anything else on the radio. Their stage shows lean heavily on visuals, so expect a big arena production closing the weekend.
Chief Keef at the Fillmore Auditorium
Sat, Oct 17, 6:30 PM · Fillmore Auditorium – Colorado · from $68
Chief Keef is a central figure in Chicago drill and one of the most influential rappers of the last fifteen years. The Fillmore is a legendary room, and a rap show there tends to be loud, intimate and high-energy.
Afrojack at The Mission Ballroom
Fri, Oct 16, 8:00 PM · The Mission Ballroom · from $27
The Dutch producer is a long-running name in big-room house and EDM, with a catalogue of festival anthems. The Mission Ballroom is a good size for a dance night with a full sound system.
Chris Cagle at Grizzly Rose
Fri, Oct 16, 8:00 PM · Grizzly Rose · from $49
Cagle is a country singer with a string of radio hits, and Grizzly Rose is a Denver institution for country nights. It is a good pick for a relaxed Friday with a proper honky-tonk feel.
The Milk Carton Kids at Bluebird Theater
Sat, Oct 17, 8:00 PM · Bluebird Theater · from $39
The duo is known for close, acoustic harmonies and gentle folk songwriting, with a quiet intensity that suits a theatre-style room. Bluebird is an intimate venue, so this is a good choice for a Saturday night that feels more sit-down.
Skitz Kraven at The Roxy Theatre
Fri, Oct 16, 7:00 PM · The Roxy Theatre – Denver · from $50
A hip-hop show in a smaller room gives a more immediate, local feel than the arena bills. The Roxy is a good spot for a rap night with a crowd close to the stage.
Whales at The Church
Fri, Oct 16, 10:00 PM · The Church · from $29
Whales are a hard rock and metal act, offering a heavier counterpoint to the weekend’s mostly pop and electronic line-up. The Church is a compact venue, which suits a louder, closer gig.
Check dates and times on each listing before you go, and book early for Gorillaz and Joe Hisaishi, which are likely to sell fastest.
