30 W E S T W O R D S u m m e r G u i d e 2 0 2 5 westword.com Summer Sounds FIVE OF THE BEST MUSIC FESTS IN COLORADO THIS YEAR. BY EMILY FERGUSON While there’s no shortage of live music in Colorado any time of year, summer festivals hit all the right notes. From city-fests like the Underground Mu- sic Showcase to multi-genre camping jamborees in the Rockies, to Jazz As- pen that caps off the summer every September, a variety of sounds abound. Whether you’re at a fest in the city or the mountains, remember to bring extra baby wipes, test your party fa- vors, avoid the wook flu and leave no trace. Keep reading for fi ve of our favorite music festivals in Colorado this summer: Juneteenth Music Festival Sunday, June 15 2701 Welton Street For a moment, it seemed as if the June- teenth Music Festival may not happen this year, after organizers put out the call in April for community support and had to scale the event down to one day instead of two. Then the Rocky Moun- tain PBS station the Drop 104.7 swept in, not only as a co-producer, but bring- ing along headliner Juvenile. We’re thrilled that this community event is still happening, bringing vendors, live music and fanfare along Welton Street in Five Points tradition. The festival is currently taking donations through its website, where you’ll fi nd more info on all the acts to see. Telluride Bluegrass Festival Thursday, June 19, through Sunday, June 22 Telluride This year marks the fi ftieth Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and it’s going to be a big one. Take in your favorite bluegrass and roots acts surrounded by the San Juan mountains, beer in hand and good vibes all around. This year’s lineup includes Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Greensky Bluegrass, Lake Street Dive, Sam Bush Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station and so much more. See the entire roster as well as ticket info on the festival website. Punk in the Park Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20 National Western Stock Yards Event Center, 5004 National Western Drive All those moms who thought it was a phase were dead wrong. Punk in the Park is returning for its biggest festi- val yet in Denver, having launched in 2021 at Sculpture Park after a year’s delay from the pandemic. More than forty punk, ska and hardcore acts will play across two stages, and these ar- en’t your average punk groups. The lineup will see the return of such acts as Pennywise, Circle Jerks, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Descendents (whose founding drummer, Bill Stevenson, cre- ated the legendary Fort Collins studio the Blasting Room), as well as a banger set from Los Angeles hardcore punk purveyors Bad Religion and Boston alternative Celtic-punk group Dropkick Murphys. We’re particularly excited to see some local acts on the bill, including Cheap Perfume, Younger Than Neil and Cleaner. See more information and tickets on the fest’s website. Underground Music Showcase Friday, July 25, through Sunday, July 27 Broadway to South Broadway The Underground Music Showcase is the perfect opportunity to learn about and cel- ebrate the Denver music scene. Here, you can see international or national acts and discover your new favorite local band over three days across outdoor stages and in- die venues along Broadway and South Broadway. The festival has released its full lineup, which includes headliners All Them Witches, Flyanna Boss and DeVotchKa, as well as a “very special” unnamed guest. And, of course, there will be hundreds of other bands to discover. See more at un- dergroundmusicshowcase.com. Jazz Aspen August 29 to 31 Aspen, Colorado There are some major headliners this year at Jazz Aspen, which takes place over Labor Day weekend at Snowmass Town Park. Imagine Dragons and Cannons will per- form the fi rst night, Lenny Kravitz will headline the second with openers Law- rence and Max McNown, and the weekend will be rounded off with headliner Luke Combs and openers Marcus King Band and Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge. Tickets are available on the website. Telluride Bluegrass Festival. BENKO PHOTOGRAPHICS
