Live from Elway's Backyard
www.elways.com
Elway's (Cherry Creek location at 2500 E. 1st Ave., Denver, CO)
Every Friday, June 11 through August 13
The "backyard" patio next to Elway's Cherry Creek location transforms into a hip and happening open-air music venue every Friday night in the summer. Great food, fun drinks and a lively crowd are all guaranteed. The backyard opens at 5 p.m. and the bands play from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Mix, mingle and rock out to such bands as the Railbenders (June 11 and Aug. 13), Something Underground (July 19) and Police tribute act Message In A Bottle (Aug. 6).

Hot Sounds Concert Series
www.denverpavilions.com
Denver Pavilions (on the 16th Street Mall at Welton St.)
June 19 through August 7
There's even more free outdoor music on the 16th Street Mall this summer, thanks to the Hot Sounds Concert Series, held every Thursday starting at 5 p.m. between June 19 and August 7. With the stage set in the middle of Glenarm Place facing south, the setting becomes a veritable nightclub on the street, complete with tall cabaret tables. Two bands play each night, and this year's schedule includes a host of local faves like Rebecca Folsom (July 3), Wendy Woo (July 10) and Homeslice (August 7). Come down to the Pavilions for a cool night out.

Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre Summer Concerts
www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/394
June through September
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, Greenwood Village, CO
In maritime terms, a "fiddler's green" refers to a sailor's heaven that's a place "of wine and song." And that's just what Greenwood Village's Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre offers in the summer months, with an exciting and diverse schedule of performers in a classic open-air setting. This year's lineup includes the hard-rocking triple bill of Cheap Trick, Journey and Heart (July 9^th), teen phenoms the Jonas Brothers (July 19^th) and Channel 93.3's Big Gig featuring the Offspring and the Dropkick Murphys.

SoCo Music Experience
www.southerncomfort.com/scmxdenver
June 28
Coors Field, Park Avenue West & Wazee St., Denver, CO
One of the summer's coolest outdoor music festivals is without a doubt the SoCo Music Experience, to be held under the stars at Coors Field on June 28. Local rockers The Swayback and Hot IQs will test out their arena rock skills, while dreamy droners Blonde Redhead and hip hop pranksters Gnarls Barkley take the headlining spots. Doors open at 2 p.m. and admission is absolutely free.

Denver Vans Warped Tour
www.warpedtour.com
6/29/08
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Invesco Field at Mile High is the home of Denver's beloved Broncos, but for one day this summer, it'll transform into the home of punk rock, as the Vans Warped Tour sets up camp for what is sure to be a highlight of the summer concert season. Dozens upon dozens of bands, from million-selling acts to just-out-of-garage up-and-comers, will play on multiple stages. Bring the earplugs -- this one's going to be LOUD.

Confluence Concerts
www.greenwayfoundation.org
Thursdays in July
Confluence Park, Denver, CO (at 15th and Little Raven)
Nothing beats a cool summer evening kicking back in Confluence Park with some great free live music as the soundtrack. Every Thursday in July at 6:30 p.m., some of the Mile High City's best musicians set up shop along the banks of the river and jam the night away. This year's schedule includes Mistura Fine (July 10), the Lionel Young Band (July 17) and Dotsero (July 31).

Latino Rhythms
www.denvergov.org/HomePage/LatinoRhythms/tabid/426710/Default.aspx
7/11/08
Sloan's Lake, Denver, CO
Get your required dose of Latino music and dancing at Sloan's Lake in the Highlands neighborhood during the annual Latino Rhythms festival. The entire 177-acre park will be filled with spicy foods, delicious drinks and vendors selling one of a kind items -- not to mention all varieties of music, from traditional mariachi to contemporary pop to hip hop. This is one fiesta you don't want to miss!

Mile High Music Festival
www.milehighmusicfestival.com
7/19/08 & 7/20/08
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver, CO
In the tradition of such popular (and enormous) music festivals as Coachella and Bonnaroo, the first annual Mile High Music Festival will celebrate with a lineup jam-packed with stars, including Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. But the big names are only part of what's great about this festival. Attendees will also get a chance to check out some of the best local Denver acts, like Flobots, Rose Hill Drive and Born In The Flood, not to mention some of the coolest national bands, such as Spoon, Andrew Bird and the Roots. The two-day festival is the largest event of its kind ever held in the Denver Metro Area, and marks the first outdoor festival held at the Outer Fields of Dick's Sporting Goods Park, a location boasting immaculate lawns and spectacular views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountain Front Range. Concertgoers will enjoy the music and much more, with a wide range of cuisines to choose from, offered by Denver's most popular restaurants. An artists' village, including an extensive exhibit of local arts and crafts, will be another highlight of the festival. Get ticket information and updates at the festival website.

Monolith Music Festival
www.monolithfestival.com
9/13/08 & 9/14/08
Last year's first annual Monolith Music Festival was a blast, featuring the hippest bands on the scene, and this year's lineup continues the tradition. Held over two days and two nights at Red Rocks, Monolith's headliners include tres cool Parisian techno act Justice, local Denver faves DeVotchKa, neo-soulsters Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, and dozens more. With multiple stages, a wide array of food and drink and thousands of fellow music lovers, you can't go wrong at Monolith. Check the website for a full schedule and ticket info.