Not particularly Halloween shows
Five musical options to help you (mostly) forget the reason for the season
More High Five
Ah, Halloween—one of the most anticipated autumn holidays. But with all of these conflicting protestors occupying our streets, the cliché zombie crawlers, and the throngs of fishnet-clad drunk girls stumbling down Colfax, Halloween can also feel like something to avoid. Before you resort to hiding in your house and handing out candy, here are a few concerts—one for each of the five nights of the Halloween “weekend”—to consider. Some are a bit Halloween, but for the most part, these are just solid musical outings for anyone who prefers to ignore all the gimmicky ghouls, slutty nurses, and half-assed vampires waiting to ruin the weekend.
Thursday, Oct. 27
Radiation City, Popcult, Medic
Before Halloween weekend starts and things get scary, the Larimer Lounge will be hosting an evening of sleek pop music. First, the Larkspur-based quartet Medic will blur the lines between underground and mainstream music with its anthemic pop stylings. Then Popcult will be play a set of lush, keyboard-driven songs akin to early Coldplay or The Fray. Headlining is Portland’s own Radiation City, a quartet who truly has its own take on pop. Elisabeth Ellison’s breathy vocal embellishments trickle over jazzy guitar and piano chords, rolling basslines, and fluid drums to create a lush ’60s-inspired, Bossa Nova sound. Sleek indeed.
Friday, Oct. 28
Rot Congress II
On the darkened corner of Broadway and Bayaud, inside the Skylark Lounge, the Hot Congress collective (cleverly disguised as Rot Congress) will be hosting its second annual Halloween bash. Beyond libations, some other cheap thrills are in store at this show as a handful of Hot Congress stalwarts—Girls Walk By (Ghouls Walk By), The Don’ts And Be Carefuls (The Don’t Let Them Ins), and Amazing Twin (Amazing Evil Twin), to name a few— are set to play. Hopefully this show won’t be as frightening as the names let on, but rather, a tasteful kickoff to the weekend.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Denver Does CBGBs
Created by the local artist manager (and child of the ’80s who longs to live in the late-’70s) Chris Fowke, Denver Does CBGBs is not only an ode to the “birthplace” of punk, but all the seminal bands that played in the now defunct club. And, because Hindershot is taking on the role of The Talking Heads, Accordion Crimes is becoming Blondie, Sauna is revitalizing Richard Hell And The Voidoids, Wire Faces is turning on Television, and The Kissing Party is resurrecting all those dead Ramones, Denver Does CBGBs is also an extravagant costume party. Here’s to having a punk rock Halloween amongst friends of punk rock.
Sunday, Oct. 30
Slacker Sabbath/Bring Your Own iPod Soiree
The Meadowlark’s dank dungeon of a bar will be giving everyone the chance to relax, lazy Sunday style, with its “Bring Your Own iPod” DJ night. Not only can people blast their personal playlists in a crowded bar, they can honor Zombie Steve Jobs while doing it. According to the Meadowlark’s website, DJs win a free drink if they spin for 20 minutes without getting the resounding, soul-crushing “gong” from their host, Isaac. It may sound like a gimmick, because it is one—especially for any closeted DJ heroes trying to make the best of their holiday weekend.
Monday, Oct. 31
Air Dubai + The Epilogues
Further up East Colfax, past the inebriated parade of Denverites, lies the creaky, old Bluebird Theater. Here, ManCub, Monroe Monroe, The Epilogues, and Air Dubai will be pumping out some ghostbustin’ grooves on Halloween night. Speaking of which, ManCub did what it does best by releasing a mix of ghastly, electronica tunes this week in preparation for the event. The little sampler even has a quirky cover of the Ghostbusters theme song—because, after all, bustin’ makes anyone feel good. Meanwhile, The Epilogues’ infectious pop will be hard to miss. As will Air Dubai’s hooky, hip-hop, soulfulness.
