Denver’s biggest and buzziest musicians need somewhere to do their thing.
Well, every artist does. But while multiplatinum-sellers such as The Lumineers (headlining Empower Field at Mile High on Aug. 2) and DJ-producer Illenium (who headlined Empower Field in 2023) have no shortage of stages, gear and entertainment at their disposal, being based in Denver means tapping local services.
We asked several artists — The Lumineers, Illenium, jazz pianist Annie Booth, hip hop’s Trev Rich, Denver trailblazer Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Grammy-nominated Yonder Mountain String Band and more — about their favorite places to work and play in the metro area.
Whether you’re taking notes on their career success or just want to see the city through their eyes, now you can eat, play and rock out like your favorites. (Answers have been edited for length and clarity — and to prevent too much repetition.)
The Lumineers
Venues: “Red Rocks would be the preferred venue to play,” said singer-guitarist Wesley Schultz, “but I also love the Bluebird Theater, which is probably my favorite to see shows. I used to go to a lot of shows at the Hi-Dive, and when I saw Dope Lemon at the Ogden Theatre a few months back, it reminded me of the great vibe and fond memories of playing it. Also the Boulder Theater — that’s where my wife and I got married.”
Restaurants: “Marigold in Lyons is run by one of my dear buddies, Theo Adley, who I went to high school with. And my phenomenal buddy Kelly (Whitaker) runs Wolf’s Tailor, and I love Annette Scratch to Table. Caroline (Glover) is amazing. As far as dives, it’s Satchel’s on 6th, where you feel like you’re at Cheers — just with food.”
Bars: “For best drinks, it’s the PS Lounge, Steuben’s and the Thin Man, because I used to live over by there.”
Gear: “I’ve always used Denver Folklore Center. When we moved here in 2009 (from New York) I brought in an old Nippon Yamaha, an FG-350 — they call them the poor man’s Martin — which needed a fix because the tuner wouldn’t tighten. The guy who worked there took out a toothpick and ground it into the back of the tuner and was able to get traction. He didn’t charge me. So I’ve got classical guitars, mostly acoustic, from them and always go there to get (instruments) fixed. I even got my son a little starter guitar there.”
Studios: “Colorado Sound Studios is an unassuming place and we’ve done some producing and writing there. Jeremiah (Frates) and I have recorded some last-minute stuff there when we couldn’t fly out to do it. They’ve got some amazing sound engineers.”
Worthy cause: “My wife, Brandy, runs the Sound Future nonprofit. Typically every show we play we take a dollar off per ticket and donate it to charity, and a lot of bands are doing that. Right now they’re focusing on funding regenerative farming as well as kelp restoration along coastlines and farmland restoration.”
Illenium
Venues: “Red Rocks is one of my all-time favorites,” said producer-DJ Nick Miller, a.k.a. Illenium. “It’s such an awesome setting that I don’t think can be beat. For a small venue, I’d say the Bluebird Theater. It was my first ‘big’ sellout in Denver and is such an intimate space that holds a special memory for me.
“Colorado has some amazing outdoor venues but I think a lot of people aren’t familiar with Mishawaka Amphitheatre up near Fort Collins,” he added. “It’s right alongside a river and just a super cool spot that combines music with nature. When I was just starting out, I played it a couple of times. I haven’t been back since 2018 but would love to do it again one day!”
Restaurants: “I love Guard and Grace, and Temaki Den or Sushi Den.”
Worthy causes: “I have been working a lot with End Overdose. They provide free naloxone, test strips, and overdose response training and education to people. At almost every show of mine, we supply Narcan (and) teach fans how to use it in an emergency.
Annie Booth Trio
Venues: “Dazzle for its intimacy and Boettcher Concert Hall for (big shows),” said award-winning composer, arranger and jazz pianist Annie Booth. “I also love playing at Nocturne for its great energy, and I’ve always loved playing the Mercury Cafe, because I’ve been going there since I was 15.”
Restaurants: Cart Driver and Potager
Gear: I love Classic Pianos of Denver down on South Broadway. I bought my Yamaha U1, this gorgeous upright, there and I’ve been playing their (on-site) pianos at different venues for years and years.”
Studios: “It’s absolutely Mighty Fine Productions. I’ve made seven albums with tons of different projects over the past 10 years and they’ve all taken place at Mighty Fine. The owner, Colin Bricker, is truly a world-class engineer with people coming in from all over the world to make albums there.”
Worthy cause: “Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. I participated as a high schooler and it totally changed my life. I would not be making music at the level I am today if it weren’t for this nonprofit, which provides mentorship and connection for young people and adults who are interested in learning to play jazz. I’m a board member and donor and they’re really close to my heart.”
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Venues: “Of course Red Rocks is the finest large venue in the land. It would be my favorite to both see and perform shows,” said leader Todd Park Mohr. “The Mission Ballroom is exquisite. For small venues, I will always be partial to (the now-closed) Herman’s Hideaway and the Soiled Dove.”
Restaurant/bars: Potager and The Cruise Room, respectively.
Gear: “My go-to for shopping would be Wildwood Guitars. I also love the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor in Arvada, especially for repairs.”
Worthy cause: “I like Conscious Alliance a lot and have done work for them throughout my career.”
DeVotchKa
Venues: “The Bluebird and the Gothic are still my two favorites,” said drummer and multi-instrumentalist Shawn King. “Can’t deny the mighty Mission (Ballroom) though — I was at the Smile and Thee Sacred Souls and both sounded perfect.”
Restaurants: “Pochito’s Tortilla Factory — pick up rice and beans and tortillas, and then go to Carniceria La Guadalajara and pick up something to grill.”
Gear: “My go-to fixer is Al Scholl, who works out of Mighty Fine Productions. He really cares about anything with strings. And Rupp’s Drums has always been helpful, never trying to push anything on you, just there to help your situation.”
Yonder Mountain String Band
Venues: “Probably the Fox (Theatre) or the Boulder Theater if I were to tally the numbers up, Red Rocks for large venues,” said guitarist Adam Aijala.
Restaurants: “You can’t go wrong with Sushi Den. I really love the food at the Gold Hill Inn … and Bagel Deli!”
Gear: “For repairs, I go to Woodsong’s Lutherie in Boulder. Those guys are awesome folks.”
Studios: “Yonder Mountain has recorded our last four records at Cinder Sound Studio with John McVey in Longmont. For mastering, we work with David Glasser at Airshow Mastering. Some of the best dudes in the business.”
Worthy cause: “The Future Arts Foundation. They put on concerts and festivals and the proceeds provide things like musical instruments and art supplies for Colorado schools.”
Trev Rich
Venues: “My favorite venue big would have to be Red Rocks and smaller would be Gothic,” said the Grammy-nominated rapper, songwriter and producer Trev Rich. “That’s where I had my first headline and (sell-out) so that will always be my favorite.”
Restaurant: “That’s a tough one but right now Nola Jane has a hold on me.”
Studios: “For rehearsal, it’s RocketSpace and recording it’s DreamSpace Studios. Every now and then Side 3.”
Worthy cause: Ktone Cares Foundation and Celebrate Life Foundation both do really good things in the city, especially when it comes to the kids from the neighborhoods we come from — but open to all kids for sure.
bellhoss
Venues: “The Hi-Dive. It feels like home, and (my husband) and I finally live within walking distance,” said singer-songwriter and guitarist Becky Otárola. (Full disclosure: Her husband is Denver Post restaurant/food reporter Miguel Otárola.) “It feels really cozy, and really cool, like some of the venues that I grew up around in L.A.”
Restaurants: Ohana Island Kitchen
Bars: “If I want to be fancy and have a nice drink, it’s Hudson Hill.”
Worthy cause: Girls Rock Denver and Youth on Record