:: Gomez :: Fox Theatre :: May 16 :: 

By Emily H. Lanigan 

In 1998, then 19-year-old, charismatic lead singer Tom Gray, of British rock band Gomez,  had his eye on politics. He was set up with an internship in the U.S. with a Democratic senator when Gomez was offered a recording contract. He abandoned the internship and hit the road. That year Gomez was jettisoned into the limelight when they received the coveted Mercury Music Prize for their debut album Bring It On.

“When we started we didn’t think we’d sell a single record,” said Gray, nursing a hangover at his home in Brighton, England, in a recent interview with The Marquee. “We thought we’d have a bit of fun.” Intimidated by fame at such a young age, Gomez took a step back and has turned into a hard working touring band releasing its seventh album, How We Operate, this month. “We’ve done our career backwards,” joked Gray.

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:: Great American Taxi :: Gold Hill Inn :: May 29 :: 

By Monica Banks 

Everyone’s taught not to hitch a ride with strangers, but when this Taxi swings through town, it would be foolish not to jump in.

With the days of Leftover Salmon behind him, Vince Herman has joined forces with Mountain High Music to introduce the Great American Taxi. The group was put together for a benefit show last year and was originally thought to be temporary. However, Herman, Chad Staehly, Jefferson Hamer, Brian Schey and Jake Coffin have such great chemistry that the shows just keep coming effortlessly.

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:: The New Cars and Blondie :: Coors Amphitheater :: May 30 :: 

By Lisa Oshlo 

A rare and historic double billing, the New Cars and Blondie hit the road together this spring for Road Rage Tour 2006. It will be the first tour of Cars material in 17 years, the first time out for the New Cars, and Blondie’s first tour since being inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last March. As such, it is likely to be one of the biggest and most anticipated shows of the season.

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:: The Helio Sequence :: Walnut Room :: May 1 :: 

By Molly Chappell 

Helio Sequence, a duo out of Portland, has achieved what most musicians dream of — starting out playing in a basement, getting signed by a label, touring with the band of the time — in this case Modest Mouse — and becoming “professional artists.” Vocalist and guitarist Brandon Summers said sheepishly that he’s just getting comfortable with saying the words “professional artist.” He pauses and reflects, adding, “Whatever that means,” with a laugh.

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:: Charlie Musselwhite :: The Walnut Room :: May 25 :: 

By Tim Dwenger 

On the south side of Chicago in 1964 a small bar is packed to the rafters with blues fans who have come out to hear how the harmonica is really played. It isn’t some longtime resident musician on the bill tonight, but a newcomer, Charlie Musselwhite, who is gracing the stage. Having grown up on the same Memphis streets as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis, Musselwhite embodies the essence of American roots music.  “I used to see Jerry Lee driving around in his orange Continental convertible. His hair would be flying in the wind as he was going to get a burger at this joint I knew on Highway 51.” Musselwhite recently told The Marquee.

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:: Mike Compton and David Long :: Swing Station :: May 4 ::

:: Swallow Hill :: May 6 :: 

By Kathy Foster-Patton 

Stomp: A dance involving a rhythmical, heavy step. Mike Compton and David Long will blow into town this month to give Denver audiences a taste of their first duet CD, aptly titled Stomp. There are two “stomps” on the recording, as well as a “hop” and a slew of other old-time songs.

These musicians, both writers and composers, took time out from their busy schedules to speak with The Marquee about their music, working together, and the support they received from David Grisman for this endeavor.

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Not since someone mixed peanut butter and chocolate together have two things combined as well as some great tunes and some tasty suds.

This month, The Marquee is proud to release, in conjunction with Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons, something that does just that — mixes beer and music together in one handy package.

On May 18, the Singing 12-PackTM will hit liquor stores throughout the state. What does that mean? It means that when you buy a 12-pack of Oskar Blues beer (either Old Chub or Dale’s Pale Ale) you will receive free a 12-pack of songs to go with it.

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The modern-day music festival was born in 1969 when two hippies from New York lost their financial shirts by putting on Woodstock. Though Woodstock ’69 was a disaster from a dollars-and-cents standpoint, it became crystal clear to promoters that the idea itself — packaging bands together for an all-day or all-weekend, event — made good sense.

In today’s musical world, where concert goers have a wealth of choices, the festival format makes more sense than ever. It gives ticket holders a chance to get major bang per buck, and, while the planning may take a bit more time for the promoter, it helps them as well since they can put their eggs all in one basket.

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By Brian F. Johnson

www.azkenarockfestival.com

 Aug. 31 - Sept. 2

Vitoria-Gazteiz, Spain

In just four years, Spain’s Azkena Rock Festival has grown from a small gathering of 3,000 people to last year’s record-setting 32,000 attendees, and with the acts it’s pulling in, it’s no wonder.

Azkena 2005 boasted a lineup that ranged from Wilco to Gov’t Mule, Queens of the Stone Age and The Pogues, and a ton of others, including Boulder’s own Rose Hill Drive.

While the lineup for Azkena 2006 has yet to be announced, the promoters are saying that it will continue on with the precedent they have set in recent years.

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By Brian F. Johnson

bonnaroo.com.

 June 16-18

Manchester, Tenn.

This is the mother load. Bonnaroo, now in its fifth year, has become one of the country’s biggest festivals and each year turns the 700-acre farm in Tennessee into one of the biggest cities in the state. The four-day, multi-stage camping festival brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music you can think of. 

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By Jeffrey V. Smith

10klf.com

 July 19-22

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

In only its fourth year, the annual 10,000 Lakes Festival has quickly become one of the largest destination festivals in the country, featuring many of the top acts in the jamband scene. The festival showcases over 35 artists and bands on four stages, including the Barn Stage on a shady hill overlooking the concert bowl, the Field Stage, the Saloon Stage for intimate concerts and late night jams, and the Main Stage.

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By Monica Banks

wakarusa.com

 June 8-11

Lawrence, Kansas

Wakarusa is a Native American term meaning “ass-deep,” somewhat unfitting seeing that this festival puts any patron way over their head in music. The Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival is a four-day party in the heart of the Midwest. Born in 2004, the festival originally featured over 70 artists in a diverse and eclectic line-up. In 2005, Wakarusa returned and quickly established itself as a premiere, grassroots event in the nationwide outdoor music scene. Last year the event featured over 80 artists, five stages and over four days of non-stop music and entertainment. This year’s throw down is looking more and more like the highlight of the summer.

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