Photo courtesy of Ryan Loughlin via Unsplash.

As the entertainment world continues recovering from the cratering of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s slate of summer shows in the Centennial State looks outstanding. Here’s our annual Hot Summer Planner — get your tix ASAP, because most, if not all of these will likely sell out!

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Plunging into their Follow Your Heart tour, Michael Franti & Spearhead is riding high on the success of their reggae/funk/rock-fueled 2020 release Work Hard And Be Nice (Boo Boo Wax Records). June 2 • Fox Theatre • 8 p.m. • 89.50+ • FoxTheatre.com

Tribute to Ron Miles feat. Shane Endsley

The most attended and diverse summer concert series in the state, Denver’s City Park Jazz opens its 2022 season (which runs for 10 Sundays through Aug. 7 from 6–8 p.m. with a tribute to Ron Miles, featuring local jazz trumpeter Shane Endsley. June 5 • City Park in Denver • 6–8 p.m. • Free • CityParkJazz.org

Erykah Badu

The unofficial stateswoman of the neo-soul movement that exploded in the early 1990s, Erykah Badu’s seamless blend of jazz, hip hop, and 70s soul continues to demonstrate why her relevance is unwavering. June 7 • Red Rocks • 7 p.m. • $66.50+ RedRocksOnline.com

Boulder Comedy Festival

Breezing back into Boulder after the pandemic hiatus, the Boulder Comedy Festival features four days of dazzling performances by some of the greatest comics you might not have heard of yet, including Shanel Hughes, Leslie Liao, BK Sharad, Ali Kareem, Arlis Gold, Ricky Ramos, Wes Williams, Lee Robinson and dozens more. June 23–26 • various locations, times and ticket prices • BoulderComedyFestival.com

Keb Mo’

The five-time Grammy Award winner Keb Mo’ firmly staked a space in the annals of Americana music history, blending his Delta blue genius with folk, rock, jazz and country to create a seminal sound that’s left an indelible mark on audiences across the world. June 27 • Chautauqua Auditorium • 7:30 p.m. • $47+ • Chautauqua.com

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Tank and the Bangas, George Porter Jr. Big Freedia and More

If the Big Easy sound is your jam, you’re not gonna find a better show than this one all summer long. Trombone Shorty and his Orleans Avenue supergroup may be headlining, but with the support of the genius Tank and the Bangas and the rest of this bill, you’re gonna want to get there early to catch every act. Trust us on this one. June 28, • Red Rocks • 5:30 p.m. •  $46.75+ • RedRocksOnline.com

Puscifer

Although Tool doesn’t have anything on the calendar yet for Denver this year (and likely won’t), you can still get your fix of Maynard James Keenan’s genius with his post-industrial electronic rock side project, Puscifer, touring through the best indoor venue in Colorado this summer. July 6 • 7 p.m. • Mission Ballroom • $60+ • MissionBallroom.com

Tower of Power with Lettuce and the Colorado Symphony

If you’ve only got one Red Rocks show in you this summer, this might be the one to pin to your bulletin board. There certainly isn’t going to be a funkier show in Colorado and there definitely isn’t going to be one backed by the impressive wall of sound the Colorado Symphony brings to bear. It’s gonna be mind-blowing. We promise. July 20 • 7:30 p.m. • Red Rocks • $60+ RedRocksOnline.com

Cat Power

Digging deeply into a Memphis soul sound, Cat Power (a.k.a Chan Marshall) is experiencing a rebirth that should excite every fan of the singer-songwriter, who brings her considerable chops and eminent stage presence to the Ogden Theatre in Denver this summer. July 25 • 7 p.m. • Ogden Theatre • $35 + • OgdenTheatre.com

Head for the Hills ft. The Horsetooth Horns

Arguably the best of the string-styled bands in Colorado these days, Head for the Hills takes another leap above the rest when they add their 3-piece horn section of trumpet, sax, and trombone. These guys transcend the “Mumford” genre with pop-hooks, funky lines, and absolutely dazzling virtuosity. Aug. 5 • 6 p.m. • Levitt Pavilion at Ruby Hill in Denver • Free • LevittDenver.org

Tribute to Oingo Boingo and Red Hot Chili Peppers

It’s a hugely ambitious endeavor to take on the Oingo Boingo catalog, which is why there’s only three such tributes in the country, one of which features former members of the original band. Danny Elfman’s composition genius comes back to life with Denver-based Reptiles and Samurai, who are joined by the fantastic RHCP tribute act Chili Powder for this one. Aug. 20 • 7 p.m. • Oriental Theater • $20+ • TheOrientalTheater.com

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

Speaking of Denver darlings, the now world-famous Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats make a triumphant return home to tear the proverbial roof off of Red Rocks with their R&B-flavored, gospel-influenced brew of soul-drenched rock. Aug. 23 • 6:30 p.m. • Red Rocks • $55+ • RedRocksOnline.com

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes

As hard as it may be to believe, the Gipsy Kings are deep into their fourth decade of delivering some of the greatest Rumba Flamenca sounds the world has ever heard, thanks to an incredible catalog, genius arrangements and peerless musicianship. Aug. 31 • 6:30 p.m. • Chautauqua Auditorium • $57.50 + • Chautauqua.com