Turn up the volume with your fall concert guide

Boulder Theater is just one of the world-class venues where you can get your live music fix this season. Courtesy: Boulder Theater

Posted Friday, September 11, 2026 2:11 pm

Stratøs goes deep on new album

The depths of the ocean are calling to Michigan transplant and CU Boulder professor Stratøs. That much is clear from the celebrated saxophonist’s new album, Challenger Deep.

Arranged as a 10-movement work written for electronic chamber orchestra, the third studio LP from this award-winning composer, producer, photographer and cinematographer draws inspiration from his late grandfather, Edward Codrington, a Barbados fisherman. In the sonic world crafted by Stratøs, he imagines his ancestor as a Dante-like figure who travels from the water’s surface to the lowest depths of the Marianna Trench.

Locals will be the first to hear this bold new record from Stratøs, whose past collaborators include Blood Orange and Imagine Dragons, during a Sept. 30 album release show at eTown Music Hall with support from the Boulder Philharmonic. See listing for details.

Fruition keeps it fresh

There is no putting Portland, Oregon-based band Fruition into any single box. This seasoned group of musicians has been curating their sound for more than 15 years, dipping their toes into genres ranging from Americana to gospel music along the way.

It’s no surprise their sound ebbs and flows as it does, since most members of the band are multi-instrumentalists. But one thing is for certain: No matter what style they are writing in, the lyrics and melodies of this time-tested outfit are sure to reach your heart.

The group consists of Mimi Naja (mandolin, vocals, acoustic and electric guitar), Jay Cobb Anderson (guitar, vocals and harmonica), Kellen Asebroek (vocalist, guitarist and pianist), Jeff Leonard (bass), and Tyler Thompson (drums and banjo). They will be debuting their brand new album, Something More, at the Caribou Room on Sept. 26. Don’t miss this intimate opportunity to soak in the artistry of Fruition’s musical craft. See listing for details.

Built to Spill is built to last

In the world of indie rock, few names ring out quite like Built to Spill. Since their 1992 formation in Boise, Idaho, the beloved project of singer-songwriter and guitarist Doug Martsch has built a sterling reputation as one of the most important alternative bands of the last three decades with landmark albums like There’s Nothing Wrong with Love, Perfect from Now On and Keep It Like a Secret.

Now the venerated band is back with their latest release, When the Wind Forgets Your Name, a nine-song offering released via Sub Pop that finds Martsch and Co. doing what they do best: crafting emotive, guitar-driven rock songs that dwell in your head and heart long after the end of the album’s 45-minute runtime.

Built to Spill returns to the Front Range for a show with Paul Schalda at Boulder Theater on Oct. 3. Whether you’re an OG fan from their ’90s heyday or a curious newcomer looking to fall in love with a legendary act, this is one show you’ll want to mark on your fall calendar. See listing for details.

Rodrigo y Gabriela bring it all back home

Grammy-winning Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela are back and better than ever on OurHome, the pair’s eighth studio album, slotted for release Sept. 18 via ATO Records. Self produced in Tokyo, the LP continues a tradition of expressive and innovative guitar music while offering “both a love letter to Japan and a meditation on what it means to find home within yourself.”

The critically lauded act’s previous two albums — Mettavolution and In Between Thoughts… A New World — found the established duo exploring a wider range of sounds, including electric guitar and synthesizers. Now they’re bringing it back home to their traditional sound of mostly acoustic instrumentation, which is sure to please the purists.

Having sold out iconic stages like Red Rocks, Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall, Rodrigo y Gabriela’s upcoming Nov. 6 show at Boulder Theater is a chance to experience the singular music of this globetrotting musical institution up close and personal. See listing for details.

by Caribou Current staff

Each season brings a flurry of live music to the Front Range, and fall is no exception. Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable EDM show at Red Rocks, a night of grimy post-punk at Boulder’s Fox Theatre or an intimate bluegrass experience at Gold Hill Inn, there are plenty of opportunities for concertgoers to live their best lives over the next few months. Here are the gigs you definitely don’t want to miss.

SEPTEMBER

Jon Blackdog Ridnell. 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St. $10

Gabriel Rose. 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 6, Busey Brews, 70 E. 1st St., Nederland. Free

JD Simo + Ghalia Volt. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $27

Clay Rose. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, Jamestown Mercantile, 108 Main St. Free

Chris and Maddie. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.17, Gold Hill Store, 531 Main St. Free

Foggy Mountain Spaceship. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, Oskar Blues Lyons, 303 Main St. Free

Lily Allen. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. Resale: $75+

Deborah & The Night Stalkers with the Longmont All-Star Jazz Band. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder. $23

Redd & the Paper Flowers. 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Nederland General Store, 112 E. 2nd St. Free

American Football + Circling Girl. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $40+

Boulder Phil at Planet Bluegrass | Rock Music: Unplugged. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, Wildflower Pavilion, 500 W. Main St., Lyons. $25

Bleachers + American Football. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. Resale: $80+

Poudre Valley Playboys. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, Oskar Blues Lyons, 303 Main St. Free

Matt Flaherty. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, Gold Hill Store, 531 Main St. Free

Fruition + Avasso. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Dr. $33+

The Foggy Tops. 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, Nederland General Store, 112 E 2nd St. Free

Challenger Deep: Stratøs and the Boulder Philharmonic. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, eTown, 1535 Spruce St., Boulder. $30

OCTOBER

Built to Spill + Paul Schalda. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $48

Big Thief + Iris DeMent. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. Resale: $70+

Octave Cat. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $24

Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, Grace Commons Church, 1820 15th St., Boulder. $38

Silver Steven. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, Gold Hill Store, 531 Main St. Free

Alma Russ. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, Gold Hill Store, 532 Main St. Free

Ladies Night with Matt Flaherty Band. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Dr. $10; ladies free

Michelle Branch. 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $58

JulyEye + MedIcinal. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Dr. $25+

Punch Brothers. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $62+

Free Throw + Microwave, Carly Cosgrove and Flycatcher. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $43

Willis Alas Ramsey. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St. $35

Hadyn's The Creation. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, Grace Commons Church, 1820 15th St., Boulder. $38

Boulder Phil at Planet Bluegrass | Country Music: Explored. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, Wildflower Pavilion, 500 W. Main St., Lyons. $25

Mom Jeans + Harrison Gordon and Sobs. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $50

Sibelius Symphony No. 2. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder. $45+

The Desert Furs. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $16

Mauve Holler. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Oskar Blues Lyons, 303 Main St. Free

Masquerade Ball with Banshee Tree + Cycles. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Dr. $TBA

NOVEMBER

The Tallest Man On Earth + Andrea von Kampen. 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $53

Emily Barns & Lena Rich. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Gold Hill Store, 531 Main St. Free

Rodrigo y Gabriela. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $71+

Steve Lacy. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. Resale: $132+

The Foggy Tops. 12 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Nederland General Store, 70 E. 2nd St. Free

Robert Ellis + Wheelwright. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $24

Lit Society + Riley J Band. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder. $23

Leftover Salmon feat. Sam Bush + Deer Creek Sharpshooters (Night 1). Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $TBA

Leftover Salmon feat. Sam Bush + Tonewood (Night 2). Saturday, Nov. 28, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $TBA

DECEMBER

A Brothers Fountain. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Gold Hill Store, 531 Main St. Free

The New Four Seasons: Vivaldi Recomposed. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder. $55+

Spafford. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Dr. $30 - $146

A Very Caribou Christmas: Shakedown Street + Greg Shochet and Little America. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Dr. $TBA

Check with venues to confirm prices and showtimes. Find more concert listings at cariboucurrent.com.

Turn up the volume with your fall concert guide