Boulder-Denver spring concert preview

It's going to be a great year for concerts in Colorado.

The new year's just kicked in, but some top national and international acts have already been booked in Boulder and Denver concert venues.

Muse, Spoon, Straight No Chaser, Vampire Weekend and Tegan and Sara are all booked in Colorado for spring 2010.

Here are the Colorado Daily's picks for must-see shows of the semester:

February

Dubskin, Boulder Theater, tonight: Dubskin is the musical alias for Cory Eberhard -- better known as Pretty Lights' amazing drummer. Dubskin lets the percussionist show off his love of beat-oriented reggae tunes.

Infected Mushroom, Fox Theatre, Thursday: Infected Mushroom shows are must-attend events in Boulder, so the group stops off here every few months. The Israeli-turned-L.A. electro band adds lots of rock elements to pump up its shows.

Tech N9ne, Boulder Theater, Thursday: If you like your rap shows to be hardcore and edgy, then you'll want to check out Tech N9ne and his all-star cast of guest rappers.

Trevor Hall, Bluebird Theatre, Saturday: Trevor Hall is quickly gaining a name for his unique reggae stylings. The artist's also worked with Matisyahu and the duo composed the tune "Unity" together. Hall's concerts are uplifting, must-see events.

Telepath and The Flying Skulls, Fox Theatre, Feb. 10: The Fox has a very cool night of electro and improvised music in the works, as the two bands Telepath and The Flying Skulls get ready to show off their techno skills.

Gov't Mule, Fillmore Auditorium, Feb. 12 and 13: Nobody can make a guitar wail like Warren Haynes. You don't want to miss the Feb. 13 show, which features the North Mississippi Allstars.

Editors, with The Antlers, Ogden Theatre, Feb. 13:

If you like rich, lush orchestrated rock anthems, then you'll love the Editors. It's been awhile since the band's toured, so better catch them this go round. The Antlers' opening set is worth catching, too.

St. Vincent, Bluebird Theatre, Feb. 13: St. Vincent is a she, and there's a buzz about this female artist's quirky brand of electro-pop music.

DeVotchKa, Fox Theatre, Feb. 14: Locals still talk about DeVotchKa's last Valentine's Day show at the Fox -- and that took place a few years ago. This quirky indie band knows how to pull out all the stops for the holidays -- so expect great music, stage theatrics and surprises.

Les Claypool, Fox Theatre,

Feb. 13, and Ogden Theatre, Feb. 14: There are lots of Valentine's Day concerts this year, and you don't want to miss Les Claypool's show at the Ogden. This is one very innovative and original artist, and you never know what direction Claypool's rock antics will be heading.

Strange Design, Bluebird Theatre, Feb. 14, and Fox Theatre, Feb. 17: Strange Design is one of the top Phish cover bands in the country, and this group's cooked up a special Valentine's Day show for Denver. Strange Design will be recreating tunes from select Phish shows for its local gigs.

John Butler, Fox Theatre, Feb. 16: Sold out. It's no surprise that John Butler's Fox Theatre show sold out in

record time. This Aussie performer knows how to blend just the right amount of acoustic, blues, rock and folk music into one great musical package.

Mile High Mardi Gras 2010 with Galactic and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Fillmore Auditorium, Feb. 20: There's nothing like a good Rocky Mountain Mardi Gras party to chase away the mid-winter doldrums. Galactic's fusion of funky jazz and New Orleans sounds will get the Fillmore's rafters shaking.

Alkaline Trio, with Cursive, Gothic Theatre, Feb. 25: The Alkaline Trio always is known for its raw, energetic punk-rock shows, and the band's hitting town behind its hot new CD, The Addiction.

Super Diamond, Boulder Theater, Feb. 26: Everybody loves a good cover band, and no one does it better than Neil Diamond tribute act Super Diamond. We know you all secretly want to sing along to "Sweet Caroline" and "Cherry Cherry."

March

Furthur, with Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Odeum Colorado, March 5 and 6: Yes, there are still tickets left for the opening shows to the rechristened Odeum (formerly known as the Broomfield Event Center). Have the Dead guys played one too many shows in Colorado? Regardless, this should be a good chance to check out this band, the renovated venue and all its amenities.

Gregory Alan Isakov, Fox Theatre, March 5: Local musician Gregory Alan Isakov is quickly becoming one of Colorado's top acts, and he's been hitting the road with first-rate artists such as Ani DiFranco and Brandi Carlile. Iskaov's Boulder shows are always memorable events.

Midnite, Boulder Theater, March 5: There are all kinds of reggae bands, but Midnite captures all the essence of the island beats. The group packed the theater the last time it played, so better score your tickets early for this show.

New Found Glory, with Saves the Day, Gothic Theatre, March 7: New Found Glory always puts on a non-stop punk and pop-rock romp. Besides, you have to give props to any band that can turn "Dirty Dancing's" "Hungry Eyes" into a punk pop anthem. Be sure to catch Save the Day on the bill, too.

Gomez, Ogden Theatre, March 8: Every winter, Gomez makes its annual trek to Colorado -- and local fans love it. The very inventive British band always comes up with new ways to show off its creative brand of indie rock.

Easy Star All-Stars, Fox Theatre, March 10: You gotta love how this reggae band turns any genre of music into an island music party. The group's already scored big with Dub Side of the Moon and Radiodread.

Band of Horses, Fox Theatre, March 15: Seattle's Band of Horses has the right knack for fusing dreamy and lush undertones into its indie-pop sound. Locals are really looking forward to this show at the Fox.

Vampire Weekend, Ogden Theatre, March 19: Vampire Weekend always puts together a wickedly good combination of sounds. The band uses indie-pop as its base, and then throws in very interesting Afro beats and classical riffs for good measure. The group's touring behind its very cool new CD, Contra, and this show's already sold out.

Jay-Z, Pepsi Center, March 22: There's been lots of anticipation for Mr. Beyonce's -- er Jay-Z's -- Denver show. Whether he's jamming with Alicia Keyes or doing his own raps, this is one of the strongest hip-hop artists out there.

John Mayer, with Michael Franti & Spearhead, Pepsi Center, March 23: Very cool combination of acts, but very strange choice of venues. The Pepsi Center may just be too big to host the new, intimate folkie sounds of John Mayer and the very politically cool music of Franti & Spearhead. Regardless, it will be a very good night of positive music.

Portugal. The Man, Bluebird Theatre, March 26: Portugal. The Man has lots of Colorado fans, so the band will be making a return trip back to Denver to show off its artsy brand of experimental rock.

April

Tegan and Sara, Ogden Theatre, April 4: Everyone knows that a Tegan and Sara show is always a great concert experience. This time around, the girls are touring behind their new CD, Sainthood. The record's got some great alt-pop cuts and this CD should get Tegan and Sara some serious radio airtime.

Straight No Chaser, Boulder Theater, April 5 and 6: Both shows are sold out. Who knew that a cappella would be such a big deal this year? Blame it on "Glee" and "The Sing-Off," but this musical genre is a hot commodity right now. Just ask this band -- Straight No Chaser just signed a multi-record deal with Atlantic.

Spoon, Ogden Theatre, April 5 and 6: Spoon fans have anxiously been waiting for the band's latest CD, Transference. The group will be showing off its new indie-rock tunes for two nights at the Ogden.

Muse, with Silversun Pickups Odeum Colorado, April 6: Muse's recent appearance on "Saturday Night Live" and a VH1 concert special put these tickets at a premium, and the Denver show quickly sold out. Muse's melodic fusion rock and progressive sounds is impeccable. Plus, the band has one of the coolest light shows hitting the road.

Passion Pit, Ogden Theatre, April 7: Danceable electropop is hot right now, and Passion Pit is one of the hottest new acts of the genre to be hitting Denver. See the band before it hits Coachella.

Owl City, with Lights, Ogden Theatre, April 13: Owl City started writing his electro-pop tunes to overcome bouts of insomnia -- now's he's one of the top acts in the country. Don't miss the up-and-coming electro sensation.

Citizen Cope, Fox Theatre, April 15: Citizen Cope always sells out the Fox, so you better get your tickets early for this show. The good Citizen's mix of alt-rock and folk music always makes for a great show. Besides, you deserve to relax after filling out your last-minute tax return.

Avett Brothers, Boulder Theater, April 20 and 21: It's always a very cool thing when a local venue helps build up a national act, and the band keeps coming back to play there. That's what happened with the Boulder Theater and the Avett Brothers. Now, the Avetts acoustic rock music is going national. Tickets flew out the door the last time around, better buy yours today.

Daughtry, Odeum Colorado, April 20: "American Idol" finalist/hard-edged rocker Chris Daughtry is the third act selected to headline the new Odeum Colorado. One question -- is this where you want to rock out on 4/20?