The Problem of Leisure: Denver's Essential Concert Calendar for the week of October 14 - 20, 2010
Please do not miss any of the great concerts on tap for this week. Though this week's featured acts could not be more different, all are top notch. Whether it's the experimental sounds of Menomena, the craggy romanticism of the Walkmen, or the rhythmic overload of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, all three shows promise dynamic concertgoing experiences.
October 14: Menomena
Everyone needs to see the Portland, OR based trio Menomena, at least once just to see how they manage to bring their studio recordings to life on stage. Menomena doesn't record like any old garage band. No. Instead they rely on some whacked-out software they call the Deeler. (The less you know, the better). According to the band, onstage duties break down as follows: "Danny usually plays drums and sings. Justin usually plays bass, saxophone, MOOG, electric guitar, and sings. Brent usually plays keyboards, bells, guitar, and sings." Though there is no official word on what Menomena's newest member Joe Haege's role will be on stage, Tu Fawning, a band Haege founded with Corinna Repp will open the show, along with Seattle's the Globes.
The Bluebird Theater 3317 E. Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80218
October 17: The Walkmen
If Don Draper were a band he would be the Walkmen. Hamilton Leithauser and his bandmates exude that Draper charm: a classic twist on sophistication that covers a pain which no amount of booze can fix. This vibe is most evident on "Torchsong" from the band's latest release, Lisbon. If hearing this song alone played live will be worth the price of admission, then the entire set should be priceless. Vancouver duo Japandroids promises to warm up the crowd with their outsized take on post-punk.
The Fox Theatre 1135 13th Street Boulder, CO 80302
October 20: LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip
It was back in 2006 (though it feels like so much longer than just four years ago) that a little label known as DFA Records helped a group of British lads who were irrepressibly fond of pairing vintage synthesizers with goofy vocals release "Over and Over." Now in 2010, DFA head honcho James Murphy made a great choice when he invited Hot Chip to join his band LCD Soundsystem on tour. There couldn't be a better double bill on the horizon. Expect to dance yrself clean.
The Fillmore Auditorium 1510 Clarkson St. Denver, CO 80218