Scene Stealers | April 2025

Shelvis and the Roustabouts @ Nissi’s, May 1st, 2025

Don’t miss out, daddio, because Denver’s own Shelvis and the Roustabouts are coming to shake, rattle, and roll Lafayette with their trademark brand of rockabilly and Americana. Voted Denver’s Best Band in 2019 by the readers of 5280 Magazine, this retro powerhouse hits like a force of nature. Whether they’re playing the hits of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, or Johnny Cash, or belting out one of their original tunes like “2:00 am at the Breakfast Kings,” it’s hard to resist the band’s infectious energy. As the band’s devoted fans will all tell you, this is more than just a simple rock show, it’s a full-on rockabilly experience that you won’t want to miss. If you don’t catch Shelvis and the Roustabouts on May 1 at Nissi’s, you ain’t nothing but a hound dog. Tickets start at $20 from Nissi’s.

Nada Surf @ The Fox Theater, April 29th, 2025

For some, Nada Surf is a beloved one-hit wonder for their hit ‘90s grunge tune with sprechgesang vocals, “Popular.” What some don’t know is that, after the popularity of “Popular” faded, Nada Surf clawed their way into a cherished spot in the indie rock underground with their 2002 cult classic album “Let Go,” which set the tone for the rest of their career as darlings of the indie scene. Albums like “The Weight is a Gift,” “Lucky,” and “The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy” demonstrate the melodic power of indie pop in ways that few could imitate. Coming off the critical acclaim of their 10th album, “Moon Mirror,” which landed a spot on Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Indie Rock Albums of 2024,” Nada Surf are ready to show off their gorgeous melodies for a Boulder crowd. So don’t miss Nada Surf on April 29 at The Fox Theater. All the popular kids are doing it. Tickets start at $25 from Z2.

Sarah and the Safe Word @ The Pearl, April 28th, 2025

Known for putting on a show that perfectly suits the kind of person who is equally at home at a pop-punk show or a Broadway musical, the queer, dark cabaret act Sarah and the Safe Word puts on an unforgettable show every time they take the stage. It’s been over two years since the release of their last full length album, the excellent “The Book of Broken Glass,” but 2024 saw them release the non-album singles “Pornstar Martini” and “Invert the Jenny” to hold over their rabid fan base in their wait for the next powerhouse album. Come join the celebration of queer joy and gothic weirdness when Sarah and the Safe Word takes over the newly redubbed Pearl in Denver, formerly known as The Mercury Cafe. Tickets start at $15 from Tixr.

Delta Sonics @ Bricks on Main, May 9th, 2025

Denver’s own Delta Sonics have been racking up the accolades for their unique blend of blues with swing, delta, New Orleans R&B, and classic rock ‘n’ roll. They were awarded “best blues band in Denver” in the Westword Music Showcase every year from 2011 through 2016. They were named “Favorite Blues Band” and “Favorite Blues Duo” by Colorado Blues Society in 2023 and 2024, and their member, Al Chesis, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Colorado Blues Society in 2022. There’s no question that they’re a blues powerhouse right in Colorado’s own backyard, and they’ll be tearing the roof down in Longmont with a swinging show at Bricks on Main on May 9. Learn more at Bricks on Main.

Matt and Madeline Shugert @ Muse Performance Space

Originally hailing from Crested Butte, Colorado, Matt and Madeline Shugert weave together a unique tapestry of acoustic folk, bluegrass, and jazz, and they find some really creative things to do with it. Their 2020 album The Aim Was Song is a collection of 10 tracks that are each inspired by a different poem from beloved New England poet Robert Frost and turned into lush soundscapes with intricate layers of percussion and stunning vocal harmonies. It’s a performance not to be missed when they take over Muse Performance Space on April 27. Tickets start at $10 for students and $20 for adults at Muse Performance Space.