25 Concerts We’re Most Excited About This Summer

I’ve always loved a good concert in the summer, especially a good outdoor show. Growing up in Rhode Island, my friends and I always attended the local radio station’s free concerts in the park. Sometimes it was a big name band, sometimes it was a real nobody, but it was always free so we would go just for the sake of seeing a concert. Now that I’m an adult, I can be a little more discriminating with what concerts I seek out.

Where I grew up, we had too few local concert venues, and they often went out of business suddenly. One thing I like about Colorado is that it doesn’t have that problem. When it comes to concert venues, we have everything from the smaller local venues like Nissi’s to the bigger concert venues in Boulder and Denver to the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre if you want to trek out to Morrison for the evening.

We always like to keep you updated on events in the area with our calendar, but we also wanted to make sure you knew about the hottest concerts going on this summer that are within a reasonable driving distance. Here, in chronological order, is the list of the 25 concerts this summer we’re most excited about.

Barenaked Ladies with Guster and Fastball, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO, June 17

If you’ve never seen a Barenaked Ladies live performance, you don’t know what you’re missing. Covers, wacky hijinks, and freestyle rapping are pretty common. The first time I saw them live, the band cleared out so the bassist could play Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” on an electric cello. And of course, you get to hear Barenaked Ladies songs, which are always clever, catchy, and fun.

Drive-By Truckers + Deer Tick with Thelma and the Sleaze, Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO, June 21

The alt-country stylings of Georgia’s Drive By Truckers and Rhode Island’s Deer Tick come together in a huge tour that’s actually making four stops in Colorado: Denver on June 20, Boulder on June 21, Bellevue on June 22, and Dillon on June 23. Both bands put on great shows that run the gamut of emotion from joy to sorrow in a way that really resonates perfectly with an audience, so catch the closest show to you.

The Weeknd, Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO, June 21

You can tell that The Weeknd’s new album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” is blowing up based on the fact that the Canadian R&B singer-songwriter can fill up an entire football stadium. Bringing with him rapper Playboi Carti and producer Mike Dean, it’s going to be a timeless evening full of high-quality performances.

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO, June 22

For the older crowd, or the younger crowd who appreciate music history, there’s the triumphant return of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Admittedly, it’s a different lineup than the one that was known for fusing mariachi with pop and jazz music in the 1960s, but the new iteration of the band is hitting the road to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the group’s classic 1965 album, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights,” so it promises to be a fun celebration.

“Weird Al” Yankovic, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO, June 24

“Weird Al” Yankovic is easily the world’s most famous musical satirist and humorist, and it’s become a very deep honor in the music industry to be parodied by Yankovic, either in one of his direct song parodies or one of his more general-style parodies. And, for his 2025 tour, dubbed the “Bigger & Weirder Tour,” Yankovic promises to get even bigger and weirder.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Bellco Theatre, Denver, CO, June 29

Elvis Costello has gone through a number of different reinventions throughout his career to the point where it’s hard to nail down one particular style that he’s known for, from punk rock to baroque pop. But it’s hard to deny that the best era of Costello’s work was his early years in the late ’70s when, bursting out of the pub rock scene, he added a quirky pop flavor to punk rock that it so desperately needed. For the “Radio Soul! Tour,” he’s planning to play his early songs, making for a can’t-miss show.

Metallica M72 World Tour, Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO, June 27 and 29

Metal legend Metallica brings its legendary and unique M72 World Tour to Denver for a one-of-a-kind, two-night experience with different openers: Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills on June 27 and Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies on June 29. Metallica is playing completely different sets each night, so you can go to both and get two completely different experiences.

Lettuce featuring GZA, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO, July 4

Choosing which concert to go to on the 4th of July is tough because Coloradans are really spoiled for options, but our pick for the best one goes to the collaborative set with Boston funk band Lettuce and rapper GZA of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. Funk and hip-hop mix so well together, making this the most fun way to celebrate the holiday.

Bruce Cockburn, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder, CO, July 9

Canadian folk-rock artist Bruce Cockburn is nothing short of a bona fide music legend, having put out over 30 studio albums in his career, but he’s just as well known for his activism defending the environment and indigenous people. Touring to support his 2023 album, “O Sun O Moon,” it promises to be an intimate night with a music icon.

Summer of Loud, The JunkYard, Denver, CO, July 9

Easily the best metalcore show happening this summer, the Summer of Loud concert at The JunkYard features Parkway Drive, I Prevail, Beartooth, Killswitch Engage, The Devil Wears Prada, and more. Expect loud yet melodic music and a lot of boys with dark hair and eyeliner in the mosh pits.

Car Seat Headrest, Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO, July 12

As Virginia indie act Car Seat Headrest has slowly turned from the solo project of Will Toledo into a full-fledged band, it’s gradually become one of the most respected acts in the entire indie rock scene. Promoting his brilliant new rock opera/concept album, “The Scholars,” you can expect a performance that’s just as engaging as the band’s music is clever and thoughtful.

Stephen Kellogg featuring Isaac Hanson, Roots Music Project, Boulder, CO, July 18

Known for his work in Americana folk-rock band, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Kellog is now solo and pulling off something unique called the “Old Friends Tour,” where he reunites with an old friend in each city. In Boulder, he’s performing with Isaac Hanson of the famous pop rock boy band Hanson. That promises to be a truly fascinating pairing you won’t want to miss.

Punk In The Park, National Western Stockyards, Denver, CO, July 18-20

Punk In The Park is, undoubtedly, the biggest punk show of the summer to hit Colorado. From headliners like Bad Religion, Dropkick Murphys, and The Descendents to the newer bands like The Bombpops, Catbite, and We Are the Union to Denver band Cheap Perfume, this is a stacked lineup from top to bottom.

Julian Marley & The Uprising, Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO, July 20

A few of the children of reggae legend Bob Marley have made a name for themselves in the reggae world, but don’t think that Julian Marley is just riding on the success of his family. In 2024 he won a Grammy award for Best Reggae Album for his collaborative album with Anteaus called “Colours of Royal,” which was a departure from Julian’s roots reggae style into dancehall reggae.

Devo, Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO, July 21

Iconic new wave punk band Devo was formed in 1973, hence the “50 Years of De-Evolution Tour” in 2023 to celebrate 50 years as a band. Then it kept expanding the tour, and here it is, still going in 2025. There are confusing reports about whether this is a farewell tour or not, so catch this concert just in case this turns out to be your last chance.

Steve Earle, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder, CO, July 21

Steve Earle is a music giant after putting out a whopping 21 albums in his career, and he’s one of the greatest political activists in the music world. On July 21, he’s coming to Boulder to celebrate 50 years of his career with an acoustic solo performance. That’s going to be a really unique night that you may never get to experience again.

Unhinged Fest, National Western Stockyards, Denver, CO, July 26

Unhinged Fest is featuring some of the biggest names in metal right now, including Knocked Loose, whose new album has become a surprising mainstream hit for a beatdown hardcore album, and The Dillinger Escape Plan, who is celebrating its reunion with original vocalist Dimitri Minakakis. There are other metal and hardcore household names like Lamb of God, Body Count, and Sanguisugabogg. This could be, arguably, the heaviest show of the summer.

Toad the Wet Sprocket, Semisonic, and Sixpence None the Richer, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO, July 30

Nostalgia for ‘90s music exists for a very good reason: ‘90s music was really good. Celebrating the more power-pop side of the era’s alternative rock movement, this triple act at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Summer Concert Series is a Gen X and Millennial dream concert.

The Beach Boys with the Colorado Symphony, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, August 3

The Beach Boys’ music is timeless and has always been the official soundtrack of summer. So it makes sense to celebrate the height of the summer with a beautiful outdoor concert at Red Rocks with the backing of the Colorado Symphony. Known both for their pop hooks and their deeper artistic side, The Beach Boys have got a lot of great music that would go splendidly with a full orchestra.

Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons, CO, August 8-10

No, that’s not a typo. It’s not the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, it’s the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. That gives a bit of a looser definition to what kind of music they feature, but they’ve still got some big names in folk and folk-adjacent music like country superstars the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Americana bluegrass stylings of The Devil Makes Three, folk duo Watchhouse, and world renowned soul singer Lee Fields.

Less Than Jake, Fillmore Auditorium, August 9

Ska-punk is seeing a big resurgence right now, so the older generation of ska-punk bands are getting a boost as well. Third-wave ska pioneers Less Than Jake make a stop off in Denver with legendary bands in tow like Fishbone and The Suicide Machines, plus rising stars Catbite. Put your dancing shoes on because everybody’s going to be skanking!

Cyndi Lauper, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre;,Greenwood Village, CO, August 12

Pop icon Cyndi Lauper is known for a long career of great music, as well as her activism for the LGBTQ+ community that has made her, arguably, the best straight ally the queer community has ever had. Celebrating her status as one of the great pop stars in music history, she’s saying goodbye with her farewell tour, the final leg coming through Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre. Don’t miss your chance to see this pop diva one last time.

Ani Difranco with Special Guest Tune-Yards, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder, CO, September 10

Speaking of the LGBTQ+ community, one of the most important queer artists in music history, Ani Difranco, is making a stop in Boulder on her tour promoting her 23rd album, 2024’s “Unprecedented Sh!t.” An Ani Difranco concert can be vulnerable and celebratory at the same time, and you usually walk away with recharged energy.

Black Uhuru, Fox Theatre; Boulder, CO; September 18

Speaking of artists who have won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, Black Uhuru won that Grammy 40 years ago in 1985. That should give you an idea of how long they’ve been around and how important they are in music history. Rescheduled from last March, this now becomes the perfect concert for late summer.

Sunny Day Real Estate, Boulder Theater; Boulder, CO; September 19

Seattle’s Sunny Day Real Estate emerged as one of the key bands in the early Midwest emo scene in the 1990s. Before emo became a mainstream phenomenon with big names like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance, Midwest emo was more steeped in indie rock with elements of folk, post-hardcore, and sometimes even post-rock. SDRE’s four albums — from 1994’s “Diary” to 2000’s “The Rising Tide” — are part of the defining sound of that movement in emo music.

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