If there’s one thing we’ll miss this summer, it’s live concerts at music venues and festivals. There’s just nothing like the experience a concert provides, complete with food and drinks, flashing lights, dancing, and sometimes even spectacular scenery.
While we wait for live music to return, there are plenty of ways to experience music and support local musicians and bands — all from the comfort of your living room or backyard. Tune into one (or several!) of these virtual concerts happening this summer, from intimate acoustic concerts to more large-scale virtual music festivals. And because the venue is now your home, we gathered events from all over Colorado, so you can attend no matter where you live throughout the state!
Anythink Backyard Concert Series
June 12, July 10 + August 14, 2020
Photo Courtesy of Anythink
Anythink Library is a unique library system with seven locations throughout Adams County. They have a long-time concert tradition that is continuing online this summer with their Backyard Concert Series! On June 12, July 10 and August 14, they are hosting online performances streamed on Facebook and YouTube. They will have new and fun ways for concert goers to interact and connect with the band, with the library, and with each other — all from the comfort of your home. Post photos of your at-home setup using the #BCS2020 hashtag, and it might be featured on air! The Anythink Backyard Concert Series is a fundraiser for the Anythink Foundation and funds raised will be used to support special programs and projects for the community; donations can be made online or by texting BACKYARD to 50155.
Colorado Music Festival Virtual Summer Concerts
June 25–July 30, 2020
Typically held at Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, Colorado Musical Festival is going virtual this year! From June 25 through July 30, they are hosting six virtual concerts on Thursday evenings, featuring unique performances by guest artists from around the globe, in addition to their very own orchestra members. Under the direction of CMF music director Peter Oundjian, the concerts will feature a variety of instruments, including violin, guitar, percussion, piano and more. See the full schedule and register for this unique musical experience.
Underground Music Something
July 25, 2020
Founded in 2001, the Underground Music Showcase is the largest indie music festival in the Rocky Mountain region. While this three-day event as we know it is not moving forward in 2020, they are providing a virtual version of the showcase, calling it Underground Music Something. Mark your calendars for July 25 and stay tuned to their website and Facebook page as details emerge. While you’re on their Facebook page, you’ll see lots of virtual concerts and ways to support artists through Venmo!
Virtual SummitFest
August 5–6, 2020
Although Jack Barton Entertainment’s inaugural SummitFest was cancelled and postponed until 2021, they are carrying on with a Virtual SummitFest on August 5 and 6, featuring many of the same artists expected to perform at the live event, such as Anderson East, Caroline Rose, Phoebe Bridgers, Dermot Kennedy, Diana DeMuth, Fruition, Hollis Brown, Jensen McRae, Joe George, Nahko & Medicine For The People, The Teskey Brothers, Will Hoge and more TBD. There will be a virtual tip jar directly connected to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, which benefits live music workers and musicians who can’t earn a living until large gatherings are permitted. Tune in on the Jack Barton Entertainment Facebook page!
Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival
Every Friday
Courtesy of Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival / Designed by Aimee Giese from Greeblehaus
Presented by ARISE Music Festival (which was postponed until 2021), the Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival is a completely virtual, live-streamed event designed to support Colorado musicians, bands and artists during this time. Each Friday, the festival shares a series of live-stream performances and visual artist spotlights with a focus on building community, promoting safety, maintaining positivity, and giving both creatives and viewers something to look forward to each week. All visual artists and musicians have the option to earn tips through virtual “tip jars” on Venmo and PayPal. To view the streams or for more information, visit the Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival Facebook Page or Instagram page.
Colorado Symphony Virtual Music Hour
Every Weekend
Denver’s Colorado Symphony is hosting a Virtual Music Hour each weekend, featuring some of the best audio-only classical recordings from their past few seasons. Each event includes a special introduction from Colorado Symphony musicians and directors, followed by a replay of the long-form classical recording and fun activities to dive further into the music! Past Virtual Music Hour events have covered the works of Beethoven, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and more. Tune in on Friday to hear what’s next!
Mountain Country Virtual Concerts
Ongoing
Mountain Country is a local radio station based out of Colorado Springs playing all your favorite country songs, both old and new. They are hosting live streams on Facebook featuring local music groups in a series called Music Matters Concert Series. Tune in on their Facebook page each night at 6 p.m. — and check out the library of past concerts while you’re there!
Dazzle’s Online Stage
Ongoing
Dazzle is an incredible jazz club in Denver complete with a restaurant, bar and lounge. While we wait for live concerts to return, Dazzle is hosting an Online Stage, featuring pre-recorded videos from local musicians such as Jeff Jenkins, MaryLynn Gillaspie, Tom Gershwin, Annie Booth and more. These musicians need our support more than ever, and you can send them a virtual tip through their Venmo or Paypal account included above their video!
Drive & Jive at Holiday Twin
Ongoing
Photo Courtesy of Holiday Twin Drive-In
If you’re looking for a “socially distant” in-person live music event, Holiday Twin Drive-In has the perfect solution! They are hosting a Drive & Jive series, in which bands perform from the main stage while you enjoy the tunes from the safety of your car. Video of the performance will be projected on the big screen and the audio will be broadcast through an FM radio transmitter. Take a look at the various precautions in place at Holiday Twin Drive-In here! Lawn chairs, blankets and small portable FM transmitters are permitted. All tickets must be purchased online in advance here.
Sunday Live @ Five by KGNU
Ongoing
KGNU is an independent community radio station in Boulder and Denver dedicated to educating and entertaining their audience with groups, issues and music often overlooked by other media. At this time, they are hosting Sunday Live @ Five, a weekly live virtual concert series featuring local Colorado musicians. Follow along on their Facebook page to stay up to date and catch the next performance!
Happy Listening!
Let us know what virtual concerts in Colorado you’re tuning into. We’d love to know!
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