This summer’s live outdoor music scene promises to be a fun one for Northern Coloradans. Festivals and weekly music showcases are planned throughout the region, and we have gathered some of the highlights for you here.
The Foundry in downtown Loveland is one of the best and most recent examples of outdoor music’s resurgence since the confines imposed by the pandemic. Their One Sweet Summer event series is only one of many terrific examples of summer music concerts in Northern Colorado (and the lineup doesn’t even include Memorial
Day or the 4th of July, two big days for live music and fun).
NOCO Style has gathered all the details on One Sweet Summer and others, including the Greeley Stampede and Blues Jam, the Lagoon Summer Concert Series and Windsor’s Boardwalk Thursday night shows on the following pages.
– By Dan England –
The Brothers Comatose playing at last year’s One Sweet Summer event series. Photo courtesy of Downtown Loveland District.
Loveland
One Sweet Summer Event Series
The One Sweet Summer series is a beefed-up slate of shows and other fun events meant to attract both residents and tourists of all ages.
The district offers its popular Wednesday night concerts this summer, a lineup that Abby Powell, events and partnerships manager, calls its best yet, but there are several new or spruced-up events as well, including a combined blues festival and classic car show, a bluegrass and beer festival expanded to two days and a “shindig” featuring Reckless Kelly.
Blues and Cruise Car Show: Noon-7 p.m. on May 20 in the Foundry as well as 4th and 5th streets and the parking lot between Lincoln and Cleveland. Bands will play in two spots
Bluegrass and Brews Festival: Now two days, June 9-10, featuring bluegrass acts, beers from several area breweries with expanded tasting options and a collaboration beer. The music starts Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
Summer Shindig
6 p.m. Friday, July 21 with Reckless Kelly and opener Sugar Britches
Wednesday concerts
6:30-8:30 p.m. July 5-August 23. All events are free. Go to downtownloveland.org/onesweetsummer
Symphony on the Plaza 6 p.m. Friday, August 11, a special night featuring a performance by the Loveland Symphony Orchestra
Loveland’s Summer Concerts Series
This series of July concerts, sponsored and produced by the city, features swing, Irish, Latin and funk and is a favorite part of the season for many Loveland residents.
7 p.m., Thursday nights starting July 6 , Foote Lagoon Amphitheater, 500 E. 3rd St.
Free, with amphitheater seating on a first-come, first-serve basis
facebook.com/RialtoTheaterCenter
(970) 962-2120
5th Street Block Party
Verboten Brewing brings its first music festival to downtown Loveland for what the brewery hopes will be an annual affair. The Monophonics headline this year’s concert with several other bands, including brewery owner Josh Grenz and his band Black Powder Machine and Rootbeer Richie and the Reveille. The music festival also features an art market.
3-10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 27 E. 5th St.
VIP tickets are $100 and other tickets are $25
verbotenbrewing.com
Greeley
Greeley Stampede
The Greeley Stampede is known for its slate of country music acts, but one of its biggest shows has a lot more to do with apple-bottom jeans than ten-gallon hats. Flo Rida, known for hits “Low,” “My House” and “Wild Ones” among many others, plays the Stampede’s opening-night show. The Stampede had a hip-hop act for just the first time last year, and that was on the free stage.
“We are excited for this year’s SuperStars series,” says Justin Watada, executive director of the Greeley Stampede, “as it has some variety that we haven’t had recently or ever before.”
Country fans shouldn’t feel too left out, however, as Lee Brice with Ashley Cooke, Tyler Hubbard and Dustin Lynch will headline shows. Singer-songwriter Sam Hunt, another headliner, also has deep country connections but manages to incorporate R&B and pop in his songs as well. Post-grunge metal and rock band Skillet will play the Sunday concert with opening act Stephen Stanley. Both acts identify as Christian and will fill the family Sunday role comfortably, although Stanley is more outward about his faith.
The Stampede will also offer a carnival, free concerts on the Civitas Park Music Stage, food and drink vendors, its popular rodeos, demolition derby and a fireworks display on July 4.
June 17-July 4
Ticket prices vary, and packages are available, including all six of the SuperStars Concert Series shows for
$120-150
greeleystampede.org
Greeley Blues Jam
Delta blues master Tab Benoit, known for his signature guitar tone and a voice that calls to mind Otis Redding, headlines this year’s event, which the Jam says, “Ain’t Nothin’ But A Party.”
In fact, this year the Jam will prove it by keeping the party going after Benoit leaves the stage with its first After Party event in the Events Center at Island Grove Regional Park. Those attending the concert won’t have to walk far to get there, in other words.
Benoit released his first album in 1992, “Nice and Warm,” which drew comparisons to blues greats and Jimi Hendrix and allowed him to book 250 gigs a year, a schedule he’s maintained for more than 20 years.
Other artists include Willie May doing a tribute to Big Mama Thornton, Jam favorite Southern Avenue and Carolyn Wonderland, a blues veteran who became the first female lead guitarist for John Mayall in his 60-year career in 2018 and has toured with him since.
Friday night the Jam brings other artists to play in Greeley’s many bars and restaurants for a downtown party that runs well into the evening and bleeds over to the morning.
Friday night, June 2, downtown Greeley. 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, Island Grove Regional Park. The After Party starts at 9 p.m. in the nearby Events Center with Proxima Parada.
Tickets are $40 in advance. The After Party is $30. Both tickets are $55 together in advance.
greeleybluesjam.org
Friday Fest
Downtown Greeley throws the best TGIF get-togethers starting May 5 with a Cinco De Mayo celebration and continuing every Friday until Sept. 15. The events feature Go Cups, allowing you to drink on 9th Street, while you enjoy free concerts from some of the best bands in the region.
Friday nights, downtown Greeley,
May 5-Sept. 15
Free Admission
greeleydowntown.com/special-events/friday-fest
Arts Picnic
Arts and crafts from some of the region’s best offerings and beer vendors dominate this event, but more than a dozen bands play as well, with an eclectic slate sure to please everyone at least for an hour.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 29 and
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 30, Lincoln Park, downtown Greeley
greeleygov.com/activities/arts-picnic
Fort Collins
Mishawaka
The arena affectionally known as “The Mish” offers its unique and beautiful setting by the roaring Poudre River for another summer concert series with a bluegrass show called “Pickin’ on the Poudre.”
Starting May 13, with a show every Saturday night and on many Friday nights as well all summer. The Mishawaka is located on Colo. 14 about halfway up the Poudre Canyon. The Mish is also bringing acts into Greeley, Loveland and Fort Collins at various Chipper Lanes bowling alleys.
Ticket prices vary
themishawaka.com
Lagoon Summer Concert Series
One of the most popular family-friendly concert series in the region, with Wednesday night shows featuring a varied lineup of funk, country and rock.
6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights starting June 14 at the Lagoon on the campus of Colorado State University.
Free Admission
lagoonseries.com
Live at the Gardens Summer Concert Series
The Lincoln Center and The Gardens on Spring Creek team up to bring some hot summer music to the community botanic garden of Fort Collins.
Various times and dates at the Gardens.
Ticket prices will fluctuate on demand, with limited amounts available at various price points. Buy tickets online or in person from the Lincoln Center.
fcgov.com/gardens/concerts
Rocky Mountain Irish Gathering
Get out your green for 11 renowned bands, some internationally known, playing some of the best Irish music in the world for three days. The music all takes place indoors at the Lincoln Center. Many bands play on multiple days.
10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday,
Aug. 11-13, The Lincoln Center
Ticket packages vary, but there’s a pass for the festival and music for $80
rockymountainirishgathering.com
Jamaland 2023
Last year’s lineup featured nine bands and acoustic jam by an open fire. We couldn’t find much more information at press time, and maybe Jamaland wants it that way.
Aug. 25-27, Red Feather Lakes
A suggested donation is acceptable for admission. Last year it was $25.
“Jamaland 2022” on Facebook had the best information on the event.
Reggae River Fest
The largest Reggae festival in Northern Colorado features DJ Wadada, LunaShade and Stylie, along with more than a dozen other bands over three days.
June 22-24, Canyonside Campground Poudre Canyon
Three-day passes with camping are $150.
coreggaeriverfest.com
Windsor
Summer Concert Series
These family-friendly concerts are some of Windsor’s most popular events in the summer. Bring lawn chairs, enjoy food trucks and spend time with your family.
Thursday evenings, June-August, Boardwalk Park, downtown Windsor
Free Admission
recreationliveshere.com/219/Summer-Concert-Series
Johnstown
Hot Dog Days of Summer
Three nights of live music and grilled hot dogs. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs.
4:30-7 p.m. June 27, July 18 and Aug. 15, Thompson River Ranch Park
Free Admission
blingeventpro.com/thompsonriverranch
Berthoud
Summer Concerts in Pioneer Courtyard
The Berthoud Historical Society will put on its series of Wednesday evening shows in 2023 starting June 21. There will be one $25 fundraising concert this summer through the Bohemian Foundation included in the series.
June 21, July 5, July 19 and Aug. 2, Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum, 224 Mountain Ave.
Free Admission
berthoudhistoricalsociety.org
