Last year I didn’t really get it together to participate
that much in The UMS, but this year I’m excited about the line-up and ready to
experience the unique dynamic of this festival. After work Friday evening, I’m
looking forward to seeing Frankie Cosmos on the main stage. We’ve played their
recent release, Vessel, in the store a few times and I’m excited to hear how
those songs sound live. Right after that also on the main stage, I plan on
catching Digable Planets. This will be my first time to see these legends of
90s hip-hop, although I watched Shabazz Palaces (Ishmael Butler’s contemporary
project) open for Black Star in 2011. I’ll be working a closing shift on
Saturday, but I might rally and get it together to see Green Druid play at the Hi-Dive
around 10:00 pm. Although I’ll be working during these sets, I’ve been
recommending catching Kadhja Bonet and Deerhunter to my friends.
I’ve got the day off on Sunday so you’ll definitely find me
in the vicinity of Broadway checking out all things UMS. A couple of years ago,
White Denim came through town and delivered a highly enjoyable in-store
performance so I’m curious to hear what they sound like these days. I can’t say
that all of my excitement for this year’s UMS comes from the fact that Superchunk
will be playing the main stage, but that accounts for at least eighty percent
of my enthusiasm for this year’s festival. I first saw Superchunk in 1995 at
the age of eighteen and Sunday’s set will be the tenth time I’ve seen them. I
love this band and I can’t wait to hear them play songs from their excellent
new album, What a Time to Be Alive! Hopefully that performance will grant me
unlimited energy and I’ll be up for checking out my friends Specific Ocean play
a midnight set at The Hornet.
Patrick Brown:
Last year I missed going to the UMS because I had other
obligations, so I’m really happy to see that it’s back under new ownership and
seems to be in exactly the same spirit as previous years. I’ve always gone to
the festival with a pretty open schedule, marking a handful of acts I need to
go see (to wit: Superchunk, Digable Planets, Deerhunter), and a bunch of
friends’ acts in many genres that I am gonna do my best to make it to (namely: One
Flew West, There’s An Ape For That, Yasi, Porlolo, Roger Green, Oko Tygra, It’s
Just Bugs, Green Druid, Kyle Emerson, Specific Ocean), and then keeping the
rest of my time open – and ears open – to just go with the flow. I listen for
what people are recommending to me; I listen to the sounds coming out of the venues;
I listen for what bands are getting a buzz, and I go check out anything that
sounds appealing. There’s such a bounty of great stuff at the festival every
year that I always feel like I’ve missed at least four dozen bands I would’ve
enjoyed – but maybe I’ll catch them next year! And maybe I’ll see you there
this weekend! Stay hydrated out there folks.
Linden Jackson:
For me, the UMS is a particularly special time of the year
not just because I get to go out and see 20+ of my favorite Denver bands at one
festival, but also because it’s an amazing opportunity for musicians and people
in the neighborhood to connect with each other on a level that isn't really
possible with other festivals. It doesn't get much cooler than seeing an entire
chunk of the city completely shut down and allow music to reign supreme,
converting the most diverse and seemingly unaccommodating businesses into
totally kick ass venues. You might see someone stage diving in your favorite
book store or shotgunning a beer at the spot you usually go for coffee, but
everyone rolls with it and that's the magic of the UMS. My band One Flew West
will be playing Illegal Pete's on Friday the 27th at 8pm!
Brian Wyatt:
I accidentally said I would be happy to go to U.M.S. because
initially I thought it stood for Universal Mallomar Society. It turned out OK
though, it’s more bands than fingers on hands. Mine is playing Sunday on the
Imagination Stage at 6:20. Come say hi and I’ll give you some of my Mallomars.
Patrick ‘Wavvy’ Richardson:
For me, UMS weekend is the sweatiest weekend of the whole
damn year. My top priority is staying hydrated. If I can manage that, I’m gonna
consider it a successful weekend. Here’s a day by day breakdown of where you
can find me seeing the acts I’m most excited about:
Friday: -
Bouxku Jones @ Blue Ice Lounge 6PM. Bouxku is a local rapper originally from
New Orleans. His Bayou roots shine through in his energetic, thoughtful brand
of hip-hop. I should still be pretty hydrated at this point.
- Futurebabes @ Gary Lee’s Motor
Club 7PM. Futurebabes is a solo synthpop artist hailing from Greeley, CO. For
fans of Depeche Mode and Joy Division. The swirling synth arpeggios and catchy
vocal melodies will have your feet tappin’ and your head swirlin’. I’ll
probably be a lil’ sweaty at this point.
- Digable Planets – Hip-hop legends,
duh!
Saturday:
Okay, day 2 is the dangerous day. Things start out early and the sun is out.
Wear a hat and comfy shoes (I sound like a dad).
- The Velveteers @ Sesh Stage
2:20PM. This brother/sister rock duo is the perfect way to start your Saturday.
The Velveteers are a fast-rising Denver act not to be missed.
- Slow Caves @ 3 Kings 3PM. You live
in Colorado and you haven’t seen Slow Caves yet? One of my favorite local bands
– I’m gonna be in full-on, soaked-shirt, sweaty-boy mode at this time – please
keep an eye on me in case my legs cramp up. I might need you.
- Its Just Bugs @ 3 Kings 8PM. This
is my band. Come see us, come see how incredibly sweaty I’ll be. Aggressive,
full-band hip-hop.
Sunday: If
I survive and make it to Sunday. You can find me here, and Twist & Shout in
the cool, cool air conditioning. But that shouldn’t deter you from checking out
the rest of the festival. I just know I’ll need a day of recovery, because
taking care of yourself is punk rock.
Happy UMS – Love, Wavvy
Anna Bero:
This will be my first UMS experience and I'm so stoked to be able to go! It's a great opportunity to see some of my co-workers perform. Y'all need to go see It's Just Bugs, One Flew West, Savage Blush, Green Druid, and of course - Matt Cobos (I mean, come one, have you seen that dudes mustache?)
Sadly, I'll be holding down the fort at good ole Twist & Shout on Friday night so I won't be able to see Boss Eagle, that just means every one of y'all need to go see him if you have the chance. I'm also excited to see Superchunk, mostly just to see my co-worker John Parsell see them - it will be his 10th time seeing the band.
The last and possibly the raddest thing aboust UMS is just being able to wander around and discover new music.
See y'all there!
Anna Bero:
This will be my first UMS experience and I'm so stoked to be able to go! It's a great opportunity to see some of my co-workers perform. Y'all need to go see It's Just Bugs, One Flew West, Savage Blush, Green Druid, and of course - Matt Cobos (I mean, come one, have you seen that dudes mustache?)
Sadly, I'll be holding down the fort at good ole Twist & Shout on Friday night so I won't be able to see Boss Eagle, that just means every one of y'all need to go see him if you have the chance. I'm also excited to see Superchunk, mostly just to see my co-worker John Parsell see them - it will be his 10th time seeing the band.
The last and possibly the raddest thing aboust UMS is just being able to wander around and discover new music.
See y'all there!
Matt Cobos:
UMS is finally here! It is THE Colorado music and arts fest
to go to, and boy am I ready to rage. This year is stacked with not only great
music, but great comedy, too! For the first time, UMS decided to make a
concerted effort to make comedy an important part of the festival by partnering
with the High Plains Comedy Festival to bring in some of the best comics from
around the country to a dedicated comedy main stage. Drennon Davis, Tom Thakkar,
Kate Willett, Ramon Rivas II, Brandy Posey, and Carmen Morales will all be here
slinging chuckles alongside some of Denver's best local comedians. One of those
local performers is your favorite little record store clerk and writer, ME!
I'll be performing at 6 pm Friday on the comedy main stage outside of Illegal
Pete's Broadway! Come party!
As for music acts, we all know that's the bread and butter
of UMS and this year is no exception. The band I'm most excited for is
psych-garage band Night Beats. Their last 2 albums were fantastic and I don't
expect any less from their live performance. Other great national acts I'm
stoked for are Holy Wave, White Denim, and Alvvays. All have some element of
psych/garage/party, which is what I can't get enough of.
Per usual, there are too many awesome local bands for me to
list them all, but I'll name some of my favorites that I never miss. The Savage
Blush (psych), Bud Bronson and the Goodtimers (party-garage), Colfax Speed
Queen (garage-rage), Dirty Few (party garage-punk), Ned Garthe Explosion
(party-garage), Cheap Perfume (punk), Green Druid (stoner metal), Grayson
County Burn Ban (country), Its Just Bugs (aggressive, full band hip hop), and
Vic N The Narwhals (garage rock). Every one of those bands is worth checking
out if you like to rock n party.
Holy crap. This is going to rule. I'm going to start
hydrating right now, and I'll see you party people on Broadway!
And at my show on Friday!
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