Top 5 Colorado Concerts, So Far

It's still early in the year but already 2017 is looking to be a banner year for concerts in our region. If you're like me you budget your concert money carefully so planning is critical.

With that in mind, here are my top five concerts this year. I'm confident there will be more shows. There will be another High Elevation festival and there's talk of Iron Maiden adding a Denver date, Linkin Park, and others, but as of today here are the "can't miss" of 2017.

5 Brit Floyd - for those of you that aren't familiar, or may wonder, why they're on the list. Allow me to fill you in. First, we'll never see David Gilmore and Rodger Waters together again and this is as close to a Pick Floyd show as you can get. Plus, it's at Red Rocks. This show with its lights, sound, and at that venue, trust me, it will be a spiritual experience.

4) Gun's & Roses - No question, this show deserves to be on the list but you may question why it's only #4. First, we're missing a couple key guys from the glory days of the 80's. Second, Axl Rose doesn't quite have the vocal range that once made this band unstoppable. Finally, Sports Authority Field is so huge it swallows up most bands and the sound can be lacking. That being said, if you've not seen the band, I suggest you go. I can't. I've seen them a few times. Once was at the peak of their power in 1989. It was one of my best ever. I don't want anything to distort the memory of that experience.

3) Def Leppard - Of the dozen or so times I've seen this band, they never disappoint. They are solid from start to finish. But what makes this show special are the opening acts. Poison is back on the bill. The last time they were together was in 2012 and that show rocked! Please don't forget Tesla. They're still together after all these years and one of the best sounding bands on the planet. This show is in Colorado Springs on Memorial Day.

2) Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Gateway World Tour makes a stop in Denver next month. This band is always a crowd pleaser. If you've not had the opportunity, you must go. There's really nothing quite like a Peppers show. When this band in on, they kill it! This show's in two weeks at The Pepsi Center.

1) Metallica - Pretty easy to pop this to the top of the list. The only drawback is Sports Authority Field. As mentioned with GnR, it's hard for any band to deal with the huge space that is a football stadium. Trust me, I've been going to shows in these venues since the 80's. It doesn't matter if it's U2, The Rolling Stones, or even the mighty Metallica, they're a challenge. However, it is a Metallica show and this one you can't miss.