Pop fests carry a new tune

By Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 17, 2008 at midnight

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It's a mix this year. The stalwart Colorado festivals that bring thousands of fans every year are back. There's a new big kid on the block, however, that might dwarf everything that's happened up till now.

Tickets are on sale for nearly all these festivals already, and many sell out early, so get a move on.

Mile High Music Festival

One of the biggest music events to ever hit Colorado is just nine miles from downtown Denver and features the biggest names in music: the Dave Matthews Band, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, the Black Crowes, Steve Winwood, John Mayer and more, including up-and-comers like Spoon, Ingrid Michaelson and Flobots. Tickets are on sale now for the July 19-20 festival at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, $85 per day or $150 for both (TicketHorse).

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

This is the 35th time they've done it, and the lineup remains impressive: Ryan Adams, Arlo Guthrie, Sam Bush, Tift Merritt, Solomon Burke and a lot of the usual suspects. You'll find a full listing of who's playing on the June 19-22 festival on the Web site, and you can order tickets there as well. It's $60 per day or $175 for all four, through bluegrass.com.

RockyGrass

Scheduled for July 25 to 27 in Lyons, the Rocky- Grass fest is in its 36th year and features some overlap with Telluride. But it has a mind of its own as well, with a lineup that includes Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Darol Anger, Natalie MacMaster, Psychograss, Chatham County Line and many others. Single-day tickets cost $45 and $50, while $125 gets you all three days (bluegrass.com).

Folks Festival

Again in Lyons, this time Aug. 15 to 17. It's a more progressive lineup, featuring KT Tunstall, Jakob Dylan, Todd Snider, Amos Lee, Missy Higgins, Greg Brown and plenty more. Three-day passes are available now for $105 through bluegrass.com.

Telluride Jazz Festival

Coming up quickly, June 5 to 8, this year's festival includes the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Maceo Parker, Joe Lovano and other greats. Prices range from a single-day $50 pass to a $165 three-day all-access pass to a $675 patron pass that includes food, drink and special access (TellurideJazz.org).

Greeley Stampede

Another annual event that never disappoints its demographic, the Stampede rounds up the finest country acts and presents them at reasonable prices. This year the June 25-July 6 events include shows by Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Diamond Rio, Kenny Rogers and a spin on past years with Poison and the Spin Doctors. The tickets for the event (held at Island Grove Park) are on sale through TicketsWest.com, ranging from $31 to $92 for concerts. Rodeos, demolition derbies and other events are scheduled as well.

Snowmass Village

It's a summerlong series of events, with a slew of free concerts bookended by two major festivals. Things kick off June 6 to 8 with the fifth annual Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew Festival, featuring Stephen Marley, Dr. John, the Neville Brothers and more. Tickets range from $25 daily party passes to $50 for all three days through snowmassvillage.com. The Jazz Aspen Labor Day celebration includes Widespread Panic, John Fogerty and Dwight Yoakam, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, $40 to $48 (JazzAspen.org). Free summer shows include the Drew Emmitt Band, June 26; the Freddie Jones Band, July 3; Mavis Staples, July 5; Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, July 17; and Robben Ford, Aug. 14. Other shows will be announced on snowmassvillage.com.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Tickets went on sale to the public on May 9 for the annual series at the Botanic Gardens. They include the Neville Brothers and Dr. John, June 5; Cake, June 8; Indigo Girls, June 16; Loudon Wainwright III and Richard Thompson, June 26; Marc Cohn/Aimee Mann, July 11; Cowboy Junkies, July 13; Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, July 20; Buckwheat Zydeco, Beausoleil and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, July 31; Keb' Mo', Aug. 5; Chris Isaak, Aug. 7; Gipsy Kings, Aug. 11; KT Tunstall, Aug. 18; Bruce Hornsby, Aug. 19; and Al Green, Aug. 31. Many of the same acts play Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder on nearly the same dates; go to chautauqua.com for information.

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