Music (and craft beer) fans have a packed calendar this summer, as there are more Old Town music events this summer than ever before. There’s no better way to enjoy it all than at CooperSmith’s Old Town Patio with a cold beer in your hand.
The Old Town Square stage gets a lot of use in 2018, with free concerts held every Thursday, many Fridays and, of course, all through New West Fest/Bohemian nights weekends. There’s no better way to experience the breadth of Fort Collins’ music scene, though navigating the sheer volume of artists can be tricky to newcomers. Get a leg up on planning your summer a rundown of the events and CooperSmith’s favorites for each event.
Bohemian Nights – Thursday Night Live
Brought to you by the same folks who made NewWestFest’s sister music festival Northern Colorado’s top summer event, Thursday Night Live runs every Thursday between May 31 and Aug. 2, and presents styles that range from Americana to indie to Soul/R&B. Curated with the same care as the festival, Thursday Night Live presents a stacked lineup all summer.
CooperSmith’s Pick: Sour Boy, Bitter Girl, June 7
If you haven’t had a chance to see Sour Boy, Bitter Girl, you haven’t been trying too hard. A mainstay of Fort Collins’ indie scene for more than a decade, the band’s third album, The Palm Reader and The Palm Writer, shows just why we treat them as hometown heroes – even after relocating to Denver.
Downtown Sessions Concert Series
Presented by the Downtown Business Association, the event brings bands to the stage once a month. If you’re lucky, they overlap with downtown’s First Friday gallery walk. Even when they don’t they present family-friendly area bands with sounds that connect with diverse audiences.
CooperSmith’s Pick: The Patti Fiasco, July 7
There’s a reason Bon Jovi selected The Patti Fiasco to open for its March date at the Pepsi Center. You’ll immediately see why. A blend of classic country and rock’n’roll that’s not quite alt-country, yet not quite rock, it mines a vein of comfortably upbeat sounds. Plus, you’ll have better seats than at the Pepsi center, guaranteed.
Bohemian Nights New West Fest
It’s the weekend music fans look forward to all year, and for good reason. Bringing three nationally known headliners to the stage as well as some of the state’s most acclaimed musicians, it’s a whirlwind of sound that presents everything from hip-hop to classic rock. Best of all, it’s 100 percent free to enjoy it all.
CooperSmith’s Pick: Everything! Literally everything! Aug. 10-12
Bohemian Nights’ 2018 lineup is still under wraps, but it’s bound to be fantastic. With previous headliners such as Cake, The Steve Miller band and the B-52s, just make plans to attend now. It won’t be a mistake.