The Weekend Showdown: Candy Claws in Arvada and Disco Biscuits everywhere

We would hate for you to miss out on all the awesome that happens every weekend in our fair city, so we’ve decided to run down five of the best shows in one easy-to-swallow post, with video and audio. Tell us — and the rest of the world — what we missed in the comments.

This weekend, Bisco Inferno returns to Denver for a second year of electronic/jam-tastic goodness at Red Rocks. The Disco Biscuits also have a sold out show in Boulder and another one (not sold out) here in Denver. Ian Cooke is also a busy man this weekend, with a residency at the newly-minted Lost Lake Lounge and opening slots for Candy Claws and Trace Bundy.

1.Candy Claws With Ian Cooke and Danielle Ate The Sandwich D Note Friday, May 28. Doors open at 7pm. $7

Why you should go: This is a hell of a lineup: Candy Claws is poised to be Colorado’s next breakout act, Danielle Ate The Sandwich is one of the best stage performers around, and Ian Cooke is a perpetual fan favorite. If you like singer-songwriters and soundscapes, this is like an all-star game.

Listen: Candy Claws Ian Cooke Danielle Ate The Sandwich

2. Trace Bundy With Ian Cooke Bluebird Theatre Saturday, May 29. Doors open at 7pm. $12.50-$15.00

Why you should go: Boulder’s favorite guitar wizard comes to Denver with the support of our old friend Ian Cooke. What these guys have in common is that there’s a seeing-is-believing element to their music. Think dudes sitting down with acoustic instruments does not an interesting show make? This is absolutely the bill to change your mind.

Listen: Trace Bundy Ian Cooke

3. Pictureplane With Hollagramz and Guests Meadowlark Saturday, May 29. Doors open at 8pm.

Why you should go: Pictureplane is one of the best things to happen to the Denver scene in a while — even if you don’t like his music, Travis Egedy has been a tireless advocate of the delightfully weird fringe in our city. Conveniently, we do like his brand of tripped-out dance music, and the Meadowlark is one of the more perfect venues in Denver for his act.

Listen: Pictureplane Hollagramz

4. Broken Bells With The Morning Benders Gothic Theatre Saturday, May 29. Doors open at 8pm. $27.50-$30.00

Why you should go: Indie super-group du jour Broken Bells, made up of James Mercer from The Shins and Danger Mouse from (among other things) Gnarls Barkley, are about more than the hype. It sounds pretty much exactly like you’d expect this particular collaboration to go (Shins-esque indie pop with better beats), but whose going to complain about that?

Listen: Broken Bells The Morning Benders

5. Bisco Inferno With The Disco Biscuts, Glitch Mob, Booka Shade, The Crystal Method, Pnuma Trio and Aeroplane Red Rocks Amphitheatre Saturday, May 29. Gates open at 4pm. $39.75/$45.00 Day of show

Why you should go: The Biscuits are back in town, coming off the biggest commercial success of the band’s 15 year career in Planet Anthem. The culminating event of their three-night stand in the area is the Inferno at Red Rocks featuring some of the best electronic acts on the market. And if there is anyone who knows how to rise to the special occasion concert, it is the Biscuits.

Listen: Disco Biscuts Glitch Mob Booka Shade The Crystal Method Pnuma Trio Aeroplane