What we’re about
You know that feeling when the lights go down, the first chord hits, and you realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be? Yeah, us too. Setlist Social is for people who live for that moment—whether it’s at a tiny DIY spot, a packed Mission Ballroom show, or somewhere halfway up the hill at Red Rocks.
If you've been curating playlists for over a decade, drive to Indie 102.3, still check Pitchfork (even when you disagree), and occasionally find yourself deep in a Gorilla vs. Bear rabbit hole, you’re our kind of people.
What to Expect:
- 🎶 Catching the best shows—indie gems, buzzy up-and-comers, and big-name legends around Denver.
- 🍻 Pre-show hangs—because concerts are better with good company.
- 📀 Music deep dives—debating albums, swapping playlists, and sharing experiences.
- 🎭 Exploring Denver’s creative scene—vinyl digs, art pop-ups, weird little bars.
- 👥 This one’s for the grownups—25+. We love you, next generation, but let’s be real—friendship is easier when you're at a similar point in life. We’re all balancing work, passions, and the occasional late-night show (that we’ll regret the next morning). We love knowing exactly where to park and maybe sneaking out before the encore (just once). No age cap, though—if you’re still excited to stand in the pit, we’re excited to stand next to you.
A Few Simple Rules:
- 📸 Use your real name & clear picture of your face. We’re here for music, not mystery.
- ✅ RSVP responsibly. Two no-shows and you’re ghosting yourself. Really though, we count no-shows and may not invite you back after a couple.
- 😷 Stay home if you're sick.
Finally, support keeps us going: Setlist Social is a labor of love—Meetup organizers pay $360/year out of pocket to host. If you’re able, we suggest a $5 donation per event or $20/year to help keep the events coming. 💖
Upcoming events
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🧊 Destroyer @ Bluebird Theater
Bluebird Theatre, 3317 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO, USDestroyer’s music floats somewhere between louche art rock, literary pop, and soft-focus glam, all wrapped in Dan Bejar’s singular, sneering croon. And his live shows are totally hypnotic—I've seen him 2x and am really looking forward to seeing him again. Truly better than expected if you're on the fence.
"Bejar spins elliptical yarns full of sly social critiques, romantic melodrama, and cryptic glamour." —Pitchfork
- 🔹 Who They Are: Destroyer is the ever-shifting project of Vancouver’s Dan Bejar, who’s been crafting cryptic and compelling records since the mid-’90s. His style drifts from lo-fi indie to suave synth-pop, but always with wry, literary flair.
- 🔹 If You Like: The War on Drugs, Cass McCombs, David Bowie (late-era), Father John Misty
- 🔹 Essential Track: “Chinatown” – woozy sax, hazy synths, and Bejar’s beautifully blasé delivery.
- 🔹 Must-Listen Album: Kaputt – the definitive entry point: lush, loungey, and soaked in wistful cool.
- 🎤 Why This Show? Bejar's live sets feel like a surreal lounge act—part satire, part sincerity—with unexpected arrangements.
- 📍 Meetup Plan: Meet at Middleman at 6:30 PM for cocktails and low-lit ambiance, then over to Bluebird for the 7:00 PM show.
- 🎟️ Tickets: $30 at AXS – grab yours before the existential romantics beat you to it.
- Pro tip: Skip the fees and get a paper ticket to any Bluebird, Ogden, Gothic or Mission show at any one of those box offices when you're seeing your next show. Weigh the benefits of easy transfers + potential sellouts on your own terms.
“Just another West Coast maximalist, trying to confess / If I have to change to stay the same, I’ll do it.”
Q: What's the RSVP policy?
A: RSVP etiquette is crucial! No-shows can throw off the vibe of the event, so we kindly ask that you shoot the host a message or un-RSVP before the event starts if you can't make it. Two no-shows may result in removal from the group.Q: How can I support?
A: Did you know that your humble organizers pay about $360 a year to bring events to you on Meetup? A tiny annual donation from you is all it takes to keep the events coming. Suggested donation is $5/event or $20 for unlimited events. Just send a Venmo/Paypal to me @mandirao (or ask me for Zelle). Couldn't do it without you!3 attendees
🐍 Viagra Boys @ Mission Ballroom
Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO, USViagra Boys crank out swaggering, chaotic post-punk that’s equal parts sneer and sweat. Think The Stooges meets IDLES with a broken horn section and a wicked grin.
> “Part satire, part survival instinct, all sweaty catharsis.”—Pitchfork
- 🔹 Who They Are: Stockholm’s scrappy misfits turning garage punk into an absurd, danceable spectacle.
🔹 If You Like: IDLES, The Stooges, Fat White Family, METZ
🔹 Essential Track: “Sports” — shout-along absurdity with a bassline you’ll feel in your ribs.
🔹 Must-Listen Album: Welfare Jazz — loud, reckless, and hilarious in the best way.
🎤 Why This Show? If you like your punk rowdy and ridiculous with unhinged energy, this one’s a guaranteed mess (the good kind).
📍 Meetup Plan: Meet at BrewDog Denver at 6:30 PM for beers and bad ideas before the show.
🎟️ Tickets: $52 + fees at AXS. Pro tip: Skip the fees and get a paper ticket to any Bluebird, Ogden, Gothic or Mission show at any one of those box offices when you're seeing your next show. Weigh the benefits of easy transfers + potential sellouts on your own terms.
Q: What's the RSVP policy?
A: RSVP etiquette is crucial! No-shows can throw off the vibe of the event, so we kindly ask that you shoot the host a message or un-RSVP before the event starts if you can't make it. Two no-shows may result in removal from the group.Q: How can I support?
A: Did you know that your humble organizers pay about $360 a year to bring events to you on Meetup? A tiny annual donation from you is all it takes to keep the events coming. Suggested donation is $5/event or $20 for unlimited events. Just send a Venmo/Paypal to me @mandirao (or ask me for Zelle). Couldn't do it without you!5 attendees- 🔹 Who They Are: Stockholm’s scrappy misfits turning garage punk into an absurd, danceable spectacle.
🌪️ The Mars Volta @ Mission Ballroom
Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St, Denver , CO, USThe Mars Volta don’t play songs so much as launch interdimensional freak-outs—part prog, part punk, part cosmic possession. Their live shows are wild, intricate, and impossible to predict, with searing vocals, shapeshifting time signatures, and riffs that feel like they’re coming from another planet. It's At the Drive-In if they got lost inside a King Crimson wormhole—and decided to stay there.
> “The Mars Volta don’t perform—they detonate.” – probably someone tripping in the balcony
- 🔹 Who They Are: Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López’s maximalist brainchild—equal parts punk energy and prog ambition, newly reunited and as intense as ever.
- 🔹 If You Like: At the Drive-In, King Crimson, Tool, Mr. Bungle
- 🔹 Essential Track: “The Widow” — soaring, dramatic, and surprisingly emotional amid the chaos.
- 🔹 Must-Listen Album: Frances the Mute — a fever dream in five acts.
- 🎤 Why This Show? Because watching The Mars Volta live is like being trapped in a haunted sci-fi opera—and loving every second of it.
- 📍 Meetup Plan: Meet at Brew Dog at 6:30 PM to steady yourself before the sonic cyclone hits.
- 🎟️ Tickets: $85 @AXS – grab one while you still remember your own name. Pro tip for AXS: Skip the fees and get a paper ticket to any Bluebird, Ogden, Gothic or Mission show at any one of those box offices when you're seeing your next show. Weigh the benefits of easy transfers + potential sellouts on your own terms.
Heads up—This may be a DIY event 🔥
I'm not quite ready to commit to hosting this one, but still want to get it on your radar. If you're planning to go and want to roll with a crew, RSVPPPP. And if I can join, I will!Q: What's the RSVP policy?
A: RSVP etiquette is crucial! No-shows can throw off the vibe of the event, so we kindly ask that you shoot the host a message or un-RSVP before the event starts if you can't make it. Two no-shows may result in removal from the group.Q: How can I support?
A: Did you know that your humble organizers pay about $360 a year to bring events to you on Meetup? A tiny annual donation from you is all it takes to keep the events coming. Suggested donation is $5/event or $20 for unlimited events. Just send a Venmo/Paypal to me @mandirao (or ask me for Zelle). Couldn't do it without you!1 attendee
Past events
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