Soaked in sound
July brings everything from intimate indie shows to blues in the park

Soaked in sound

Levi Platero brings his bluesy guitar to Buckley Park on July 18. / Photo by Jacob Shije

Stephen Sellers - 07/04/2024

Greetings, dear readers! This last weekend, like many of you, I was scurrying above treeline, elated and filled with joy in the indomitable vastness of the San Juans. This time, I was with my girlfriend who is training for the High Lonesome 100 – a not-so-casual 100-mile trail run around Buena Vista and Salida. I pedaled behind her on my trusty Surly as she galavanted across the vibrant, saturated  tundra leaving me in the dust more often than not. About 10 miles into our 20-mile loop, and despite a clear forecast for the day, we were suddenly surrounded by more rain, thunder, and lightning than we had anticipated. Luckily, we were able to adjust course and escaped with only soaked shoes and a surplus of adrenaline.

One year ago this month, local hiker Ian O’Brien went missing in the La Platas after going for a solo run. RIP Ian, and big love to his family and friends. As we find ourselves gravitating toward the high country, I offer a humble public service announcement. Tell friends your routes and when you expect to be back. For maximum mountain bad-ass credit, get yourself an In Reach. I know weight can bring some of you down, but a warm layer and rain gear seems like the move with the amount of water coursing through the jet stream these days. Stay safe to go out another day!

With all of that being said, July is absolutely drenched with music in Durango. Here are a few of the hundreds of gigs around town this month that are on my radar. 11th St. Station is hosting more 25 shows this month alone, so get out there and show some love to the venues and promoters keeping our town soaked in sound. Let it rain. See you on the dancefloor!

• The Motet, Desert Child, Durango Transit Center, Thur., July 4, 5:30 p.m. - One of Durango’s favorite bands, Desert Child, is set to warm up the stage with their blend of impeccable covers and original soulful indie rock for legendary jam-funksters, The Motet, for the City of Durango’s free post-parade celebration in the Transit Center parking lot. This is the place to be on the 4th.

• Marty O’Reilly, Alex Paul, Jimmy’s Music, Sat.-Sun., July 6-7, 6 p.m. - Jimmy’s Music is gearing up for some listening-room events this July, and first on the docket is Bay-area based Americana/folk singer-songwriter Marty O’Reilly on Sat., July 6. Alex Paul, of Durango’s Birds of Play, will be following the next day. RSVP by calling 970-764-4577 or stop into Jimmy’s for guaranteed seating. 

• Jude Brothers, Avery Lee, Zach Bassett, Toast Records, Sun., July 7, 5 p.m. - On the other end of Main Avenue, Toast Records will be hosting three exceptional singer-songwriters from the Americana realm. With limited capacity, this is sure to be an event that only those who arrive early will have the hope of soaking in the magic that is the Toast listening room space.

• Elder Grown Summer Camp, Tico Time, Sat., July 13, 5 p.m. - Elder Grown’s Summer Camp is back for its second year! The band is in high gear bringing its funky sound for a day of fun and sun just over the border. Rounding out this year’s eclectic lineup are Desert Child, ORA, J-Calvin and emerging DJ duo Forest Thump. Camping is encouraged and tickets are available at www.eldergrownmusic.com

• Levi Platero, Buckley Park, Thurs., July 18, 5:30 p.m. - The Community Concert Series at Buckley Park is on fire each Thursday this summer. What a gift to have these free parties in Durango’s most beloved parks. Of special note this month is eastern-Arizona based blues rock guitarist Levi Platero. Expect a raw, emotional, straight-forward performance from one of the Navajo Nation’s finest.

• Western Medicine Band, Tashi T, Rochester Hotel, Sat., July 20, 6 p.m. - Last but certainly not least, the fine folks at the Rochester are hosting yet another intimate and unique show in their Secret Garden venue. LA’s Western Medicine band is somewhere between honky-tonk and Americana and promises to bring a taste of big city musicianship to town with local wunderkind Tashi T opening up the evening with their beautiful, stripped-down guitar ballads born in the San Juans.


Soaked in sound

Bay area American singer/songwriter Mary O'Reilly plays Jimmy's on July 6

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