Starting tomorrow in Denver, The UMS aka Underground Music Showcase explodes into every venue down Broadway. I’ve spent years going to SXSW in Austin, and have learned that the key to getting the most out of festivals like this involves lots of planning and research, then willingness to throw your schedule to the side when your ear hears something it likes. I’ve created a schedule of the bands I’d be seeing if I were going (I’ve got Phish in Chicago). Drink lots of water, and jot down notes of bands that stand out to you, it can be a whirlwind! Check out the lineup and purchase passes here: The UMS

Time/Venue/Band
(I didn’t put genres, most are under indie rock)

Thursday
8- Brendan’s 404- Kinky Fingers
9- Skylark- MEGA GEM
9- 3 Kings- Residual Kid – young teenagers from Austin making more credible garage punk than people twice their age: Video
10- Moe’s Original BBQ- Lionized
10- Illegal Pete’s- The Shilohs
10- Skylark- Phox
11- Illegal Pete’s- Bonnie and the Beard
11- Hi Dive- South of France: video
11- GOZO- Prism Waves
12- Skylark- eye and the arrow

Friday
6- Main Stage at Goodwill- School Knights
7- Goodwill- The Omens
8- Gary Lee’s- Sawmill Joe: one of my favorite voices right now
8- Goodwill- Bleached
9- Goodwill- Mudhoney
9- Hornet- Ned Garthe
9- Irish Rover- Science Partner: video
9- Hi Dive- Thee Dang Dangs
10- Moe’s BBQ- Champagne Charlie
10- Hi Dive- Jux County
11- Illegal Pete’s- The Yawpers
11- Skylark- Rubedo
12- Gary Lee’s- Princess Music: video
12- 3 Kings- A. Tom Collins

Saturday
1- Punch Bowl Social- Ben Hanna: video
3- Illegal Pete’s- A Shoreline Dream
4- Illegal Pete’s- The Royal
5- Goodwill- Caramel Carmela
5- Hi Dive- Vitamins
5- GOZO- Spooky Folk
6- South Broadway Christian Church- Patrick Dethlefs
6- Hi Dive- Sauna
7- Moe’s BBQ- We Like Monsters
7- Goodwill- Hockey: video
8- Hi Dive- The Blue Rider
8- Goodwill- Small Black
8- Compound Basix- Wheelchair Sports Camp: ridiculously catchy song
8- Illegal Pete’s- Hindershot
9- Blue Ice- Mancub (final show)
9- Goodwill- Cults
9- Skylark- Goldenboy: video
11- Hi Dive- Snake Rattle Rattle Snake
11- Illegal Pete’s- SWIMM
11- Skylark- Applied Music Program
12- Hi Dive- The Fresh and Onlys
12- Skylark- Dressy Bessy: video

Sunday
12- Irish Rover- Esme Patterson
1- Hi Dive- Indigenous Robot
2- 3 Kings- Clouds and Mountains
5- Illegal Pete’s- Vices I Admire
6- Punch Bowl Social- Dirty Femmes (with Gordon Gano)
7- Goodwill- Baywood
7- Moe’s BBQ- Foxfield Four: video
8- Goodwill- Lord Huron
8- 3 Kings- Tjutjuna: video
8- Hi Dive- In the Whale
10- Illegal Pete’s- Flashbulb Fires