The Haircuts – or whatever they’re called – picked up some extra dough in Boulder.

– THE KILLERS —

Seeing a rock band as big as the Killers in Boulder’s teensy Fox Theatre is a thrill, even if they’ve built their reputation on senseless dance tunes and overinflated attempts at rock.

Before a sold-out make-up date at Red Rocks on Tuesday, the Killers played to a packed house at the Fox on Monday, and the quartet — playing with a keys player, thus freeing singer-pianist Brandon Flowers to roam and rant — was muscular in its tight performance. The band sassed up the hits from their debut, “Hot Fuss,” and they amped up newer tracks too…

But as they encored with “All These Things That I’ve Done,” which includes the awful chorus “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier,” it was a potent reminder that this band is more about the cheese than actual substance.

- Ricardo Baca

Jeff Tweedy rocked it split-personality style at Wilco’s two-night stint.

– WILCO —

Of Wilco’s two nights in Denver last weekend, the sold-out Saturday-night gig blatantly rocked while Sunday’s show quietly lulled.

Each night was full of new material from “Sky Blue Sky,” and while “Impossible Germany” is the rare boring moment to come from singer Jeff Tweedy’s mind, “Shake It Off” is the jam.

Saturday’s highlight was a psychedelic approach to “Via Chicago” in the encore; Sunday had the band revisiting the countrified dreamworld of “California Stars,” which was a deserving crowd pleaser with opener Richard Swift playing along. Both nights, the epic “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” was a mind-blowing addition to the band’s already intoxicating live show.

- Ricardo Baca

Maybe the Bluebird will get its sound mix figured out when the Apples play there in 2037. Or not. Photo by Laurie Scavo.

– THE APPLES IN STEREO —

Gritting one’s teeth through a rock show is usually not the best way to enjoy it — I’d vote for pumping your fist, spilling beer on the people around you, whatever — but that was the sad case at the Bluebird Theater on Aug. 31.

Headliners and pseudo-Denverites the Apples in Stereo last played there April 1, a triumphant post-South by Southwest set marred by a nearly vocal-free sound mix. Sadly, the recent show repeated many of the same problems — especially disheartening since the Apples have grown into such a strong, kinetic live act.

Singer Robert Schneider’s voice and guitar work sounded great when audible, but many of his indie pop confections (particularly “Ruby”) were mistreated by the clueless sound dude, who appeared to be confused by his soundboard. Local openers Cowboy Curse and Cat-A-Tac got even shorter shrift. The bands were great, but it’s embarrassing for a venue of that size to experience such amateur sound issues. Strike two for the Bluebird.

- John Wenzel

“Hey! I’m Ben Kweller! I know the Fray! I’m friends with Isaac from the Fray!”

– BEN KWELLER —

Ben Kweller is a joyous songwriter, and his exuberant shows are the ideal manifestations of his unique, childlike outlook. As he switched from guitar to piano on Aug. 31 at Boulder’s Club 156, he spread good will and love to the sold-out crowd that mouthed along to most of his songs.

The new stuff from his eponymous record was vibrant, especially “Sundress,” “Penny on the Train Track” and “Thirteen,” the latter of which he dedicated to his friends Isaac and Anna. (That’s Isaac Slade of the Fray and his wife Anna, who enjoyed the show from the back of the club with friends.) Older songs thrived as usual, including a particularly lively “My Apartment,” a stunning “Family Tree” and a pitch-perfect sing-along take on “In Other Words.”

- Ricardo Baca

CFD is more influential than most people outside (or within) this city realize. Photo by Laurie Scavo.

– CHRISTIE FRONT DRIVE —

Saturday’s sold-out reunion show at the Marquis Theatre was more than basic nostalgia. Denverfest organizers brought together multiple bands from Denver’s past including the great Christie Front Drive, and they served as a tremendous reminder of Denver’s rich musical history.

It was a true gift to those of us who missed these bands the first time around. Christie Front Drive’s forward-leaning rock still holds up as a sterling peer of popsters Jimmy Eat World, with whom CFD released a split record in ’95.

The band was on, sounding solid and sharp at every turn — especially impressive given that they broke up in 1997. Their headlining set made obvious their impact not only on local music but also on the national trend of what became known as emo in ’90s.

- Ricardo Baca

More from Get Real Denver

• Burlesque Q&A: Springtime in Paris
• REVERB: Rilo Kiley, Def Leppard, The Sugarhill Gang, Devendra Banhart
• Reverb: Silversun Pickups, Vampire Weekend, Letters from the Front
• The wall stays in the picture, for now
• REVERB: Crowded House, The Avett Brothers, Magnolia Electric Co., The Beebs

Get Real Denver Recommends

• Alice in Chains @ the Fillmore Auditorium (Reverb)
• Wilco, the Killers, Apples in Stereo, Ben Kweller, Christie Front Drive (Reverb)
• Editors @ the Ogden Theatre (Reverb)