The Problem of Leisure: Denver's Essential Concert Calendar for the week of April 1 -7
This week's opening bands are so strong they might just upstage the headliners. Who will steal the show? Will it be Toro y moi opening for the Ruby Suns, Deerhunter opening for Spoon, or Bachelorette opening for Beach House? You won't know if you aren't at the show.
April 5: Ruby Suns & Toro y moi
With the release of Sea Lion in 2008, the Ruby Suns rose to prominence on a wave of island-inspired rhythmic pop. When the Ruby Suns hit the stage on Monday in support of Fight Softly, their most recent release, fans should not expect the performance to pick up exactly where Sea Lion left off. For starters the band's leader Ryan McPhun is the only member in the touring band who played on Sea Lion, but more importantly he set a new course for Fight Softly, experimenting with R&B and '80s synth pop. Although this musical sea change will certainly affect the band's live show, the Ruby Suns new approach makes up-and-comer Toro y moi (aka Chaz Bundick) an ideal opening act.
Hi-Dive 7 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80223
April 5 & 6: Spoon & Deerhunter
Spoon's Britt Daniel and Deerhunter's Bradford Cox seem like a strange musical pairing. Spoon stands as one of indie rock's most consistent acts. Daniel's band sticks to its guns and has perfected its distinctive, tight-lipped brand of percussive rock, while Cox is as adventurous as he is prolific whether he's performing with Deerhunter or as Atlas Sound. Spoon is on the road to promote Transference, the band's seventh full-length, while Deerhunter isn't plugging anything in particular. The band hasn't released a record since last year's Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP, but Deerhunter's back catalog is always worth revisiting, so even without new material to offer fans, they are still a must see.
Ogden Theater 935 E. Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80218
April 7: Beach House & Bachelorette
Critical acclaim for Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, better known as the Baltimore-based duo Beach House, has reached new heights with the release of their third full length, Teen Dream. Not surprisingly, the pair has sold out most of the shows on their most recent tour. Though Legrand's Nico-esque vocals often steal the spotlight, some of Teen Dream's best songs feature Scally behind the mic. Whether Legrand or Scally is singing fans can be sure they'll hear a nuanced performance held together with gauzy threads of melody. Don't be late or you'll risk missing top-notch tripped-out electro from New Zealand's Bachelorette (aka Annabel Alpers) who opens the show.
Bluebird Theater 3317 E. Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80218
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