When Nathaniel Rateliff and Joe Pope decided to bring back their old Denver rock band Born in the Flood for the annual holiday show this year, they needed a guitarist and a drummer.

And when they took the stage at the Gothic Theatre on Friday, it should have surprised nobody in the local music community to see the musically inclined Meese brothers, Pat and Nate, backing them up.

Going into the big show at 1stBank Center on Thursday – which was the biggest headlining date fun. has ever played – I was genuinely excited.

As a critic, seeing the band for the first time. As a fan, who had only recently connected with its debut “Some Nights” (released in February) in the last three or four months. As a lover of melodic music, who was psyched to hear singer Nate Ruess’ voice in a live arena.

But as we walked out of the small suburban arena after a thoroughly energetic concert by Ruess and his bandmates, I had to admit it: “They’re not a great band. Yet.”

Madonna’s recorded persona can’t hold a candle to stage self. A look at the singer’s career in advance of her show at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Oct. 18, 2012.

STS9 will close out 2012 with a three-night New Year’s Eve run at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Colorado.

Fun. will play the 1stBank Center in December with help from Of Monsters and Men and Churchill

The String Cheese Incident gears up for a three-day New Year’s Eve run at the 1stBank Center to close out 2012

The hours before the first presidential debate in Denver will feature performances by the Lumineers, Nathaniel Rateliff and Zach Heckendorf

Down & Derby introduces DJs and cocktails to the skating rink

Amanda Palmer, queen of Kickstarter, to play Gothic Theatre on Friday

Nas and Lauryn Hill will play the Fillmore Auditorium in November as part of their “Life is Good”/”Black Rage” tour. Full details here.