Is this town big enough for the both of us?
That’s what the organizers of two music festivals may be asking as Denver’s biggest summer weekend arrives. The Underground Music Showcase and Blucifer’s First Rodeo are taking over two sides of Denver, Thursday through Sunday.
Denver’s longstanding summer festival, UMS, will be in River North this year, a big and controversial change from its usual locale of South Broadway.
A new DIY fest, Blucifer’s First Rodeo, will take over the old stomping grounds of UMS on South Broadway, involving many of the same venues.
Organizers of Blucifer’s First Rodeo say they’re not trying to compete with or spite UMS, despite some hard feelings on South Broadway about the older festival’s departure.
“We’re not a counter-UMS festival,” said co-lead organizer Mike Young in an earlier interview with Denverite. “We’re absolutely not that in any way.”
Some local acts are playing both festivals, including Bluebook, Ritmo Cascabel, Nina de Freitas and BRŪHA.
Whether you go to one festival or the other, neither, or both — here’s what to know.
Blucifer’s First Rodeo
You can’t buy first-hand tickets to Blucifer’s First Rodeo anymore, sadly — though you could try to buy resale tickets on social media. (Ed. note: Caveat emptor!)
“It is super sold out on Broadway,” Young told Denverite on Wednesday.
Blucifer organizers are expecting around 3,000 people to show up. Around 40 venues are participating and 260 local bands are slated to perform.
Even without a ticket, you can still join the fun. On Saturday, there will be an all-ages DIY fest, coined Blucifer’s DIY Rodeo, at D3 Arts (in Westwood, not South Broadway) featuring 10 bands. The sets run from 3-10:15 p.m. Doors open at noon. Find a full line-up here. No one will be turned away from this show for lack of funds, but you can buy a ticket online for $20. Profits will be used to pay the bands.
Young said the music at D3 will be “on the heavier side.” The space is DIY, sober and for all ages.
Another free, all-ages show will happen 2:30-5:30 p.m. in La Familia Recreation Center’s parking lot with performances from Hala Hooper, Charles Nation, Al Ameda and Patrick Dethlefs.
The free “Blucifer’s First Art Market” will run 3-6 p.m. at FM on Broadway.
Also, around 20 private residences in Baker will host house shows on Sunday. These house shows are supported by Blucifer’s First Rodeo but are operating independently — so if you hear music in the air and somebody invites you in, you’re welcome to listen.
Businesses along South Broadway will be open during the festivities, so stop and enjoy the street’s antique stores, bars, restaurants and more.
For those who did secure a ticket, you can plan out your schedule on the Blucifer’s First Rodeo website — there’s even a quiz to help you discover new bands that match your music taste.
Organizers are already thinking of next year, too.
“Blucifer’s Second Rodeo is definitely on our minds,” Young said. “We’re working on a program where folks who see local shows year-round may get a little early access to the next festival.”
Find a full festival line-up, schedule, and other important information for this year on the website.
UMS
Tickets are still available online for UMS. Including fees, single-day tickets are $88.50 and all-access weekend passes are $139.35. To get a $40 discount, you can buy four all-access weekend passes for $512.20 total.
While Blucifer’s First Rodeo is only featuring local bands, UMS is bringing a few national acts including 54 Ultra, Tommy Newport and Venus & the Flytraps. In total, over 200 bands are performing in the festival’s new RiNo locale. Most of the festivities will take place along a mile-long stretch of Larimer Street.
The two main outdoor stages are located in parking lots along Larimer Street: The Showcase is at 3001 Larimer St. and the Underground Stage is at 2420 Larimer St.
Eleven other local venues are also holding smaller shows, including Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Larimer Lounge and Two Moons.
UMS is hosting “Underground Parties,” too, including a free kick-off event with Indie 102.3 on Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Ratio Beerworks featuring a performance from the two-man outfit Marfa. You could win a pair of weekend passes if you attend.
Other underground parties require a UMS pass to attend, but they include:
- A showcase of Fort Collins femme talent on Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Odell Brewing
- The return of the “Mad Cumbia Dance Party” on Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Manos Sagrados
- And a roller skating party on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Reelworks.
Find a full line-up, festival schedule, and other important information on the UMS website.
Safety first, it’s hot!
High temperatures this weekend will once again be near 100 degrees, so bring sunscreen and stay hydrated. Also, there’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday night.
Transportation and traffic
Organizers at both festivals do not suggest driving, and neither do we.
Blucifer’s First Rodeo has partnered with the Colorado Drivers Cooperative, or COOP. You can get $5 off your first ride with the code. Use code BLUCIFERFEST, July 23-26. (Ed. note: Learn more about Colorado Drivers Cooperative in our feature story.)
You can take RTD bus route 0 to South Broadway from Union Station (southbound) or the Englewood light rail station (northbound). The closest light rail station is the I-25 and Broadway station, which services the C, E and T lines.
UMS is partnering with Veo to supply extra scooters and bikes and discount codes for festivalgoers. Check the website FAQ page for more details.
To get to RiNo, you can take the A Line to the 38th and Blake rail station, or take bus routes 44, 48 or 12.
The following sidewalks and roads will be closed in RiNo from 7 a.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the UMS website:
- Road — 30th Street from Blake to Larimer streets
- Road — Walnut Street from 29th to 31st streets
- Sidewalk — Larimer Street from Broadway to 25th Street
No road closures are expected for Blucifer’s First Rodeo on South Broadway.
Which bands are you excited to see? Are you team UMS, team Blucifer’s First Rodeo or team Everybody Just Have Fun? Let us know!