For Denver music fans, the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) is the time to dive deep into the Denver music scene. This festival features a mix of local and touring artists and brings high energy to South Broadways bars and venues over the course of four days in late July. The energy will be potent on the busy street as fans pile into venues and around the outside stage, glowing in the hot summer night. Just imagine music flowing from every corner of Broadway and you’ll get the picture.
Presented by Breckenridge Brewery, UMS will take place from July 27-30. Tickets for the entire weekend are $55 for pre-sale, and day passes will be available to anyone who’d like to pack in a full day of music and fun. Great restaurants and bars are all around, and there will be no shortage of things to do and see in and around the festival.
Festival headliner, Benjamin Booker has a fresh album this summer called “Witness”, sure to entertain the masses. The new album from the New Orleans-based artist draws from blues, soul, and gospel music for its unique sound, while also commenting on the current state of race relations and politics in our country. The record has received praise from fans and critics alike, and will be a can’t miss at this year’s festival.
Booker will be joined at the festival by Esme Patterson, formerly of Paper Bird, as well as by Zola Jesus and Red Fang, fronting the festival. Also playing will be an impressive list of local artists including Dragondeer, The Raven and the Writing Desk, The Still Tide, and Paul DeHaven. The list is long and sure to be full of new sounds, tons of potential, and hopefully a few surprises. The quality of music this year is simply extraordinary, and it will be hard to see everyone that you want to see.
Local fans will need to check out Denver band, The Shady Elders, during the festival, as they will be playing their final show at UMS this year. They’ve been a Denver staple for years now, and just released a new album, “Inside Voices,” in February. It’s another show that shouldn’t be missed whether you’re from Denver or visiting from out of town.
The energy is ripe for the 2017 Underground Music Showcase–the must-see festival in Denver this summer. With a deep roster of artists and venues, this year, it will be hard to decide what music to see. If you’re a music fan in the Mile High City, mark your calendars and get your tickets before it’s too late.
