25 reasons the Denver music scene rules
05. People here will take you as seriously as any band from out of town
Around here, a lot of people get just as excited -- if not more -- about bands like Speedwolf and Havok as they do Metallica. And for good reason: Those bands totally kick ass, and you wanna know what? When you think about it, Metallica is really just a local band from San Francisco.
04. You have a legitimate shot at opening for a national act 
JAWBREAKER PHOTOGRAPHY DJ Ishe
That last sentiment perhaps explains why you frequently see local acts opening for bigger national acts -- and, in some cases, even outshining them. The reason is simple: The folks making music here are no joke and can completely hold their own. Ask Skrillex about the time Ishe opened for him at Beta.
03. You have a legitimate shot at performing at Red Rocks
It's no secret that entire tours are planned around performing at Red Rocks. Many artists view playing there as a career-defining achievement -- and it is. You have to rise to a certain level of prominence to play there, and some may never scale that peak. Yet every summer, a select few local bands get the privilege of playing in front of a sold-out audience at Film on the Rocks.
Eric Gruneisen Rachel & the Kings at this year's Hometown for the Holidays concert
02. The radio will actually play your songs
Oh, here's the other unique thing about Denver. If your songs are good enough, there's a better-than-average chance that you'll get to hear your songs played on the radio, either on a weekly specialty show or maybe even in regular rotation if you make the cut during KTCL's annual Hometown for the Holidays promotion, in which ten local bands are guaranteed airtime every year just before Christmas. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
Jon Solomon
01. We take care of our own
While there are stories on the news virtually every day that continue to erode your faith in humanity, for every inexplicable act of senseless cruelty, there's heartwarming story after heartwarming story of how the people in our music community have set aside their differences and come together to help one of their own, whether it's raising money to help pay for medical expenses (see Jim Norris or Karen Cuda benefits) or simply reaching out when someone else is down or in need after a harrowing loss (see wildfire benefits).
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