Live music in Boulder, CO

Matt Flaherty Band presents a free performance highlighting fubk and jam sounds.

Enjoy a live performance by Joe Troop at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons. Doors open with the show scheduled for the afternoon slot, and tickets are available through the linked ticket partners on the page.

Rogue 2 makes a rare LMx appearance at Liquid Mechanics, starting the night as the opener for The River Arkansas. The band plans a high energy set designed to get the dancefloor moving before the headliner takes the stage.

The Dirty Turkeys bring their self-described Acid Cow Punk to the Downtown Louisville Street Faire, blending psychedelia, surf, punk, and outlaw country into a raw spin on psychedelic rock. Born from late night basement jams among friends in Boulder, the group has grown into a high-energy touring act that headlines stages around the country. This long-running summer street fair has been bringing people together for 26 years with live music, a variety of food options, refreshing beverages, activities for kids, and a marketplace of arts, crafts, and sundries. Admission is free thanks to sponsor support.

Following her 2023 festival debut, pianist Michelle Cann returns to Chautauqua Auditorium to perform the world premiere of a piano concerto by composer Valerie Coleman with Peter Oundjian conducting. The program begins with Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino, features the new concerto, and after intermission culminates in Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, a vivid journey that portrays wild revels, an execution, and a descent to the underworld. After the concert, ticket holders are invited to a short, interactive question and answer session with the conductor and soloist in Chautauqua Auditorium.

Join the Trident Late Night Series for a songwriter experiment featuring local music creation and collaboration. The event runs late into the evening at Trident Booksellers & Cafe, with time built in for the local songwriting showcase.

A high energy night brings The Jerseys together with Mile High Motown on the same stage. The Jerseys have been a favorite at Nissi’s for nearly a decade, and the quartet of Paul, Brian, Randy, and Klint has performed together for more than 20 years. What began as a Four Seasons tribute for corporate events became a full show built around the genre’s hits, sustained by onstage chemistry that keeps audiences returning. Expect tight harmonies, humor, and sing along moments that can get the crowd moving in the aisles. Mile High Motown unites Colorado artists devoted to the Motown legacy, delivering spirited renditions of classic R&B and Motown favorites inspired by legends such as Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder. The set includes beloved songs like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, My Girl, and Superstition, along with more timeless tracks, creating a feel good soundtrack that lingers after the final note.

Immediately after the concert, a brief, interactive Q&A with Music Director Peter Oundjian and pianist Michelle Cann will take place in Chautauqua Auditorium. Free for ticketholders.

FastFloyd performs as a trio on the Up Slope Brewery patio during a summer evening. Beer and a food truck will be available.

Gather at Peaceful Meadow for a drum circle attuned to a total solar eclipse. Although the eclipse traces its path over Greenland, Iceland, and Spain rather than Colorado, the shared shadow invites a response in rhythm wherever we stand. As late day light softens into evening, the setting becomes a welcoming threshold where the groove speaks louder than words. Those coming from the Boulder Drum Circle earlier in the day can flow into this session for more beats, more connection, and a deeper immersion in eclipse energy. The Didgeridude, also known as Dr. Manhattan, returns to summon resonant earth tones rising from the meadow. Participants are encouraged to bring a drum, shaker, rattle, didgeridoo, dancing feet, or simply an open heart. The shadow passes, and the circle endures.

Slightly Stoopid performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.

Z2 Entertainment and 105.5 The Colorado Sound present an evening at Chautauqua Auditorium with The Jayhawks and James McMurtry. The Jayhawks bring harmony-rich, roots-driven rock shaped over decades of records, tours, and turning points, from early independent releases and a long run with American Recordings through a celebrated reunion of the classic lineup and later sessions in Portland with producers Peter Buck and Tucker Martine. Recent highlights include Back Roads And Abandoned Motels and XOXO, and the band has begun work on a twelfth studio album intended to honor the fortieth anniversary of its debut, a milestone they are marking as The Year Of The Hawk. James McMurtry appears with The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy on New West Records, co-produced with Don Dixon and featuring guests Sarah Jarosz, Charlie Sexton, Bonnie Whitmore, and Bukka Allen, alongside his band The Martial Law Review with Tim Holt, Cornbread, and Daren Hess. Known for vivid, wry storytelling that balances humor and heartache, he continues a critically praised streak that followed The Horses and the Hounds.

Sunflower Club: Boulder Edition brings an open mic night to Coffee Stand where creativity and consciousness meet. The gathering rests on the belief that making art is a human birthright, not the territory of only trained professionals, and that the act of creating nourishes well-being. Rather than striving for perfection or showcasing virtuosity, participants explore honesty and courage, expressing what lives beneath the surface. The event views creative practice as a healing path that helps move stagnant energy and emotions. It functions as an open forum for any mode of expression, including poetry, music, dance, and storytelling. The culture is intentionally inclusive and noncompetitive, with people of every background and experience level sharing on equal footing, and with authenticity and openness at the center. Creativity is treated as medicine for individuals and for the wider world, with an emphasis on transforming pain through expression.

Enjoy the Colorado Music Festival season finale featuring Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. Music Director Peter Oundjian leads the Festival Orchestra, with mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, the St. Martin’s Festival Singers, and the Boulder Children’s Chorale joining in for this big, lyrical symphony.

Enjoy a live performance celebrating The Everly Brothers with The Everly Brothers Experience featuring The Zmed Brothers. The Zmed Brothers (Zachary and Dylan) along with their drummer Burleigh Drummond bring music and history inspired by the legendary rock n’ roll sibling duo. Doors open between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM, with the show starting at 7:30 PM. The event is for ages 21 and up.

105.5 The Colorado Sound and Paradise Found present Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble at Boulder Theater. The producer and bassist leads a new group shaped by five decades of work, showcased on the debut album Groove in the Face of Adversity. The music taps Detroit roots with a mix of steamy jazz, blues born of juke joints, and free-flowing funk. The concert will feature songs from Groove in the Face of Adversity along with a full live rendition of The Grateful Dead’s Blues for Allah, acknowledging that album’s 50th anniversary and Don’s longstanding collaboration with Bobby Weir. General admission and reserved seating options are available. All ages are welcome, with attendees under 16 required to be accompanied by an adult.

Annabelle Dinda takes the stage at The Fox Theatre for a live performance. This is a general admission event. All ages are welcome, and attendees younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

At Murphy’s Tap House, the patio welcomes intermediate and advanced bluegrass musicians for an acoustic picking session. Attendees can relax in the sunshine with food and drinks available, or take part by bringing an acoustic instrument. The first beverage is complimentary for those participating as pickers.

Presented by Z2 Entertainment and KUVO Jazz, this concert features Herbie Hancock, a pioneering artist whose career spans more than six decades. After shaping modern jazz as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, he forged new paths on his own recordings, from the funk and rock infused electric sound of Headhunters in the 1970s to the groundbreaking electronic grooves of Rockit and Future Shock, while also returning to acoustic jazz with V.S.O.P. His achievements include an Academy Award for the Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammy Awards, among them Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters, plus two Grammys in 2011 for the globally collaborative The Imagine Project. Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and as Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. He was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2011, received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2013, published his memoir Herbie Hancock: Possibilities with Viking in 2014, and earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

KUVO Jazz and Avery Brewing present a high-energy night at Boulder Theater as Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring the Let's Go Get 'Em Tour to town with Mile High Soul Club. Known for a powerhouse live show that blends rock, funk, soul, jazz, blues, hip hop, and Caribbean rhythms, Trombone Shorty carries the spirit of New Orleans to stages worldwide. A lifelong performer, he has released acclaimed albums, appeared at major festivals, shared the bill with a wide range of artists, and performed on prominent television programs. His collaborations span stars like Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz, Foo Fighters, ZHU, Zac Brown, Normani, and Ringo Starr. Beyond the stage, he founded the Trombone Shorty Foundation to support youth music education and has authored children’s books recognized for their artistry. Back home, he leads an annual Mardi Gras parade, hosts the Treme Threauxdown concerts that have welcomed guests such as Usher, Nick Jonas, Mavis Staples, Dierks Bentley, Andra Day, and Leon Bridges, and mentors rising New Orleans musicians. The most recent album, Lifted, was recorded live at his Buckjump Studio and captures the joyous, cathartic pulse of his concerts while reflecting on family, community, and resilience. Ticket options include standing general admission and reserved seating. This event is open to all ages, with attendees under 16 required to be accompanied by an adult.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue take the stage at Boulder Theater in Boulder, CO for a performance.

A free monthly gathering for local songwriters, musicians, and anyone exploring original music. Share a work in progress, perform a song, play an instrument, or simply offer support for those presenting. It provides a friendly setting to request feedback and encouragement, spark fresh ideas, or enjoy attentive listening. Connect with new collaborators and contribute to a thriving, community-minded music scene in Lafayette. Dog House Music Studios offers coffee, tea, and spring water, along with a bar serving beer, wine, cider, and hard seltzers. Outside alcohol is not allowed. All ages, genres, and experience levels are welcome. The session is guided by local musician and singer songwriter Carly Fox and hosted by Rock for the People, a Lafayette nonprofit focused on building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable music community in Boulder County. The organization reduces barriers through free or low cost rehearsal, recording, and marketing support, paid performance opportunities for artists, and paid roles for aspiring audio professionals. Its priority includes serving women, non binary people, BIPOC and Hispanic communities, and LGBTQ+ identifying musicians, audio workers, and fans.

Bourbon, Blues, and Grooves at Nissi’s features the Kurt Allen Band with free entry and $1 off bourbon and whiskey drinks. For over a decade, Kurt Allen has blended old school blues, vintage soul, and swampy funk from the bayou into a hard-driving blues rock sound. His songwriting shows years of dedication, and his records explore a wide range of blues styles. His latest album, Live From The Red Shed, captures a modern blues rock performance recorded in Hutchinson, Kansas. Known for an intense touring pace of 150 to 200 shows a year, he paused during 2020 and 2021, then returned to extensive travel across the lower 48. The Red Shed set spans nine tracks that highlight his guitar work, mixing songs from across his catalog with new and previously unrecorded material, channeling the raw power of live blues.

The Yard hosts a summer patio music series featuring free live performances by local talent. Shows take place on Thursday evenings, with each set running for a few hours, and the lineup includes Jonah Cook, Siena Marina, Mike Lamitola, Nina de Freitas, Tony Crank, Sophia Stout, Eliah Marley, Alex Nikiforoff, Mercy Club, The Dollhouse Thieves, and Laurie & Lorrie. Admission is free. The series is supported by Old Town Lafayette, Vintrey Honest Goods, Foxglove Bar, Ghost Box Pizza, Punch Buggy Shave Ice, and Public Wine.

Chautauqua Auditorium hosts a screening of YUJA, a documentary directed by Lorna Tucker that explores the life and artistry of pianist Yuja Wang. The film follows an internationally acclaimed performer as she balances soaring success with the strain of unending scrutiny and high-stakes appearances. With unusual, close access to her world onstage and off, it reveals the dedication, vulnerability, and relentless drive behind a contemporary virtuoso. The story is visually shaped by cinematography from Seamus McGarvey, a two-time Academy Award nominee, bringing a vivid, cinematic perspective to Wang’s journey.

Admission is free for a performance by The Wrecklunds, a Colorado group blending outlaw country with psychedelic rock. Based in Evergreen, they pair gritty storytelling and lush harmonies with a vintage-soul vibe and a broad palette of influences, shaping concerts that feel like a journey. The group began when lifelong friends Bryan Eklund and Eric Drobny launched an acoustic string project, soon earning recognition as RockyGrass Band Competition finalists and recording their debut, Moon Over Broadway, with Vince Herman. The sound that started with upright bass and porch-ready picking has evolved into a fully electric band inspired by a golden-era mix of groove, harmony, and freedom.

Boulder Theater hosts the Django Festival Allstars, featuring Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, and Pierre Blanchard. The program celebrates Django Reinhardt’s legacy with Gypsy jazz that recalls Paris in the 1920s and 30s, from lively cafés to the romance of Montmartre, and nods to his celebrated collaboration with violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Expect a blend of well known standards and original pieces, with propulsive swing balanced by heartfelt ballads. The ensemble has earned praise from major outlets including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and DownBeat, and has been singled out as a standout at major festivals and concert halls with enthusiastic ovations. Notable admirers have included George Benson and Leonardo DiCaprio. Seating is available as general admission or reserved. All ages are welcome, and attendees under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Kings of Prussia returns to Velvet Elk Lounge for a two-set tribute to Phish, featuring musicians from Sqwerv and Deadphish Orchestra. Jason Barnes handles guitar and vocals, Jack Marty of Sqwerv is on keys and vocals, Brian Adams of Deadphish Orchestra anchors bass and vocals, and Zach Bulgarelli of Sqwerv drives drums and adds vocals. The project began in Boulder in 2019 and focuses on an authentic Phish experience, drawing from a catalog of more than 100 Phish originals and songs Phish has covered. The band is known for a dedicated lighting director inspired by the CK5 light show, gear choices tailored to echo Phish’s setups, playful touches like trampolines, synchronized moves, and a cappella moments, along with the adventurous improvisation at the heart of the music. Past highlights include headlining debuts at Boulder Theater, Oriental Theater, and Cervantes Other Side, plus numerous appearances across Colorado at venues such as Bluebird Theater, Aggie Theater, Old Town Pub, Crested Butte Public House, Globe Hall, and Your Mom’s House.