The Underground Music Showcase is back on South Broadway this weekend, July 28-30.
Even as the event has grown over the years and old venues have disappeared (RIP Three Kings), with the right itinerary and the right crew by your side, the weekend is still ruled by a sense of discovery and mischievousness that's infectious.
But with a line-up featuring hundreds of artists, with few quote-unquote big names, that "right itinerary" part can be intimidating. So, we're here with some recommendations to start filling out your schedule. And don't forget, sometimes the best way to do UMS is to just walk around and go where your ears take you.
Limited tickets are still available for purchase here. We covered more about pricing, festival hours and accessibility here. (And our friends at Indie 102.3 have a UMS survival guide.)
Have fun, listen to someone new and please don't forget to re-re-re-apply the sunscreen.
Alex recommends ... N3ptune + Rusty Steve
The first time I first saw N3ptune was during UMS in 2021 and within a year, he was opening for Rina Sawayama at the Ogden. He and co-producer and violinist Rusty Steve are rising stars for sure, and seeing their genre-hopping music (from thip-hop with "Mannequin" to the dance-pop of "Shadow" and the gospel-inflected rock in "Black Horse") live makes it clear why. Expect belting, riffs and death drops.
For a taste, check out their performance on Indie 102.3 live sessions. It's probably the first time a pair of pleasers have ever stomped the halls of the Colorado Public Radio offices.
Saturday, July 29, at 5:30 p.m. at the Showcase Stage
Obed recommends ... Bratty
It's hard not to make a direct comparison to Best Coast when bobbing along to Bratty's "Honey, No Estás," but the tune has all the fixings to make it feel familiar to the welcoming ear: a lazily strummed guitar, poppy drums, and a singer, Jenny Juarez, with an almost ethereal singing voice.
Bratty's latest release "Estos Días" shows the band's ability to go up-tempo without really having to lose its overall mellow, sit-by-the-beach-and-reminisce-about-a-lost-love mood. The project out of Sinaloa, Mexico, played Coachella earlier this year and its star is definitely on the rise in the U.S.
Kevin recommends ... Ramakhandra
Denver's Ramakhandra is an act that I would absolutely appreciate wandering into by accident. Led by "cosmic harpist" and vocalist Annastezhaa Mitchell, Ramakhandra seethes with mysticism and chill vibes, which click into a higher gear with quicker beats beneath. They describe themselves as specializing in "abstract jazz" and "Zelda starbreaks," a sound "from the other side of the multiverse."
They're playing at the new UMS House, an indoor stage at the former Archetype Distillery building, a few blocks south of the main stage. It's bound to be a nice finishing note for anyone willing to go out late on a School Night.
In my experience, atmospheric, uplifting sets like these make room for reflection at the end of an energetic, exhausting UMS adventure. The shows where I can take a breath and exhale after a day of sunburn and sweat tend to be the UMS moments that stick with me long after it's over.
Sunday, July 30, at 10 p.m. at UMS House
Kyle recommends ... Wheelchair Sports Camp
The experimental hip-hop group Wheelchair Sports Camp, fronted by MC, educator and former mayoral candidate Kalyn Heffernan, has been a UMS staple for roughly a decade (and a regular presence in my kid's playlist, who says the only rapper better than Heffernan is Kendrick Lamar).
For those who've never had the chance to see this essential Denver band play -- and for those who are already fans -- expect witty lyricism focused on disability politics, queer liberation and rising from the muck of depression with salty attitude. Heffernan's tough-as-nails vocals are backed by the jazz-inspired drums of Gregg Ziemba of Rubedo and energetic horns from musical savant Wes Watkins, who makes cameos across the festival most years.
We're hoping to hear "Yess i'm a Mess," a pandemic-era banger about depression; "Hard out Here for a Gimp," a disability-rights anthem; and "Duchess Doo Wop" -- hopefully with a cameo from Michelle Rocqet of Milk Blossoms acclaim, who is also playing a solo set at UMS. Rocqet and Wheelchair Sports Camp dropped a recent music video for the song, and the track made me weepy.
Saturday, July 29, at 11:59 p.m. at The L
Dez recommends ... Manny.
I'll preface this pick by stating the obvious, I don't speak or understand Spanish. But I'm from Nueva York. I grew up listening to Celia Cruz, Raulín Rodríguez, Elvis Crespo, Luis Vargas and Héctor Lavoe. I can sing, and half-mumble, my way through any Wisin & Yandel, Don Omar and Bad Bunny banger. (I also listen to Rammstein and Japanese anime openings and closings but we'll stick to the Latino artists here.)
Manny. is none of these things nor do they fit any of these vibes. Even with some of the lyrics being in Spanish, it didn't stop me from entering the "am I in love, out of love or over love" lo-fi feel they put out.
"olvidarte" has smooth as butter singing then otherworldly synth rifts in the middle. "Melt" is more upbeat but then they hit you with "I have trouble expressing myself, it's depressing the way that your smile helps my mental health."
Manny. has definitely made their way onto my "I love love and I hate love too" playlist.
Friday, July 28, at 8 p.m. at Bar 404
Rebecca recommends ... Isadora Eden
This one is for my Maggie Roders and Phoebe Bridgers girlies out there. Isadora Eden describes herself as "Easter Sunday turned horror movie" -- and though I've never celebrated Easter and don't watch horror movies, I am a fan of her indie rock (what she calls "fuzz folk") vibes. Grab your SSRIs and swing by.
Sunday, July 30, at 7 p.m. at UMS House
Isaac recommends ... Lady Los and Bunny Blake
Lady Los' song "Honey Do" sounds like an Erykah Badu neo-soul track in 2023. This will be their first time gracing a UMS stage and if you're in need of a smooth, psychedelic, R&B sound I'd recommend finding their set.
Later in the night, I'd check out dark pop artist Bunny Blake. It's pop music with an edge. Think bass, kicks and electric guitars with lyrics that subtly haunt and equally captivate a crowd. Performing at UMS for the second year in a row, Blake is a talented high-energy live performer.
Lady Los on Friday, July 28, at 6 p.m. at Baere Brewing
Bunny Blake on Friday, July 28, at 9 p.m. at The L
