Summer officially arrives this week, and with it comes the annual Westword Music Showcase in Denver's Golden Triangle neighborhood. The festival kicks off at noon on Saturday and includes headlining performances from electronica acts Galantis and Bonobo, folk-punk band The Front Bottoms and indie rockers Sunflower Bean.
There are also plenty of outstanding Colorado acts to catch at this year's showcase. We've recently hosted several of them in the CPR Performance Studio.
Below, watch performances from 11 local acts scheduled to play at the 2018 Westword Music Showcase, and read when and where to see them on Saturday. See the festival map for more details.
Wildermiss
This up-and-coming Denver rock quartet has a full schedule of outdoor shows in Colorado this summer, including gigs at Red Rocks, Dick's Sporting Goods Park and Levitt Pavilion. The band plays at 12:25 p.m. on the outdoor Coors Light Stage (12th & Broadway).
Los Mocochetes
This seven-piece's politically-charged Latin funk continues to win over new fans, most recently at the Tiny Desk Contest On The Road concert last month. The band plays at 6:10 p.m. on Stoney's main stage (1111 Lincoln St.).
R.L. Cole & The Hell You Say
Longtime Denver bluesman R.L. Cole's latest musical endeavor features help from members of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Florea (see below) and A. Tom Collins. The band plays at 5:30 p.m. on the Stoney's south stage (1111 Lincoln St.).
The Reminders
Over the course of a decade, this Colorado Springs duo has shared a bill with Snoop Dogg and Nas while establishing themselves as local hip-hop favorites. The band plays at 5:30 p.m. on the Vinyl rooftop (1082 Broadway).
Seal Eggs
We were mesmerized by harpist Gwen Wolfenbarger's solo performance at our Mile High Noon On The Road show in Colorado Springs last year. She plays at 4:20 p.m. in The Church's basement (1160 Lincoln St.).
The Velveteers
Anyone who caught this Boulder rock duo's fiery set at last year's Westword Music Showcase has plenty of reason to do so again this weekend. The band plays at 3:40 p.m. at #Vybe (1027 Broadway).
Blake Brown & The American Dust Choir
Brown and his Americana-rock band have had a remarkable year. In March the Denver quintet released its debut album and opened for country superstar Keith Urban at the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas. The band plays at 4:35 p.m. on the Stoney's south stage (1111 Lincoln St.).
Jennifer Jane Niceley
Niceley's Tennessee musical roots are in full swing on her latest album of country-folk songs, "Angels, Demons, Red-Tail Hawks." The singer-songwriter She plays at 1:50 p.m. at 100% de Agave (975 Lincoln St.).
Grayson County Burn Ban
Featuring members of Denver rock bands Bud Bronson & The Good Timers, The Kinky Fingers and Ned Garthe Explosion, this quintet explores the energetic side of country music. The band plays at 12:55 p.m. on the Stoney's south stage (1111 Lincoln St.).
Florea
Megan Fong's debut album with Florea brings ambient and psychedelic influences into her blues-rock music. The band plays at 3:40 p.m. on the Stoney's south stage (1111 Lincoln St.).
The Milk Blossoms
The Denver trio released another album of standout experimental pop earlier this year with "Dry Heave the Heavenly." The band plays at 4:35 p.m. at 100% de Agave (975 Lincoln St.).
