Best shows this week

OneRepublic, along with the Fray, is the biggest pop-rock act to have called Denver home in recent years, and the boys are showing some hometown love with a (relatively) intimate acoustic show at the Ogden Theatre on Friday. Led by super-producer Ryan Tedder, the band will be joined at its second annual “Denver Acoustic Christmas” charity concert by a who’s who of Colorado musicians, including Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Flobots and Zack Heckendorff. Tickets were available as of press time, but don’t be surprised if this one sells out. It’s for a good cause, after all. $39.50 or $150 for a VIP package. axs.com or 888-929-7847.

Josh Blue is another nationally touring Denver artist who makes a point to play high-profile shows here around the holidays — as the “Last Comic Standing” winner will do again at Comedy Works on Larimer Square this weekend. If you’ve never seen Blue’s hilarious, self-deprecating act, which he says puts “the cerebral in cerebral palsy,” you’re in for a treat. And if you’ve already seen Blue’s 2012 Showtime special, “Sticky Change,” you should also know that he’s a master of crowd work and you’re unlikely to hear the same jokes told the same way twice. 7 p.m. Friday; 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday. $22.50. comedyworks.com. John Wenzel

More shows this week

Born in the Flood, Nathan and Stephen, In the Whale. Friday, Gothic Theatre. $39.50-$150. axs.com

Railbenders, Johnny Hickman & Band. Friday, Bluebird Theater. $20. axs.com

Pick of the ’Pec Quintet Swings the Holidays. Friday, Dazzle resturant & lounge. $8-$12. dazzlejazz.com

Clutch with Texas Hippie Coalition. Friday, Fillmore Auditorium. $34.50. livenation.com

Madlib, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Shigeto, Joe Nice, the Widdler. Friday, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom. $30. ticketfly.com

Best of the West 4: Kruza Kid, SF1, Anxious, Amphibeus Tungs, Valedictorian, MDZ. Friday, Herman’s Hideaway. $4-$8. ticketfly.com

Iluminado Comeback Show: Flagship, Anterroir, the Echo Chamber, Will Daniels. Friday, Summit Music Hall. $5. ticketweb.com

Face Holiday Show. Friday, Boulder Theater. Sold Out.

Wire Faces, i sank molly brown, ANML, Fist. Saturday, Larimer Lounge. $8-$10. bigmarkstickets.com

The Christmas Revels. Saturday, Boulder Theater. $14.75-$33.50. frontgatesolutions.com

Nightmare Before Xmas III: Autumn Lies, Midknight Run, Arise the Lie. Saturday, Gothic Theatre. $8-$10. ticketfly.com

Wayne “The Train” Hancock. Saturday, Hi-Dive. $12. ticketfly.com

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John Wenzel is an A&E reporter and critic for The Denver Post. Follow him @johntwenzel and @beardsandgum.