Colorado Music Scene??

On a recent, very fast drive up I-70 (the WRX was very very impressive Tyler) I was, in typical fashion, ranting about the frustratingly dull concert scene in Colorado. I was immediately and forcefully reprimanded by my fellow passengers, one of whom is really "into" music and loves live music and even occasionally (okay often) engages with music via the many drugs portal (which may or may not improve his credibility, when you consider it). I was told that I am crazy, that Colorado has a GREAT music scene, that a lot is happening in the Colorado music scene right now, with a lot of excellent bands popping up all over the place. In fact, later in the day we were sitting on a lift with a single rider from Connecticut (who was beyond impressed that we were all from Colorado and furthermore that we were from, omg, BOULDER, and whose multi-colored checkered designer board jacket and dream of one day moving to Colorado to ride and chill for a year clearly served to strengthen his credibility regarding the following) cited an article he read in High Times about the "sick" up-and-coming music scene in Colorado. 

Huh.

Am I missing something? I mean, I know I'm not the most educated rock/folk/indie/pop music head but I know a few things and I feel my understanding of music, though lacking in depth, certainly boasts breadth, yet I have not managed to draw the same conclusion that everyone else seems to so easily and uniformally agree upon. Sure, we can make claims to the popular annual shows from Yonder Mountain String Band and String Cheese Incident, and of course if you are in the mood for some Big Head Todd you are sure to find a show somewhere in Colorado within the month. A number of MC's have taken a liking to Colorado and particularly Boulder's The Fox, including Atmosphere and Common. On the Pop side we certainly get the bigger names. EveryAmerican Idol star has made an appearance, the old-school-but-still-rockin-like-new-school-blow-out-shows also swing through mile high, including (in the last year for example) Aerosmith and Tom Petty. Let us not forget that Red Rocks is not only gorgeous and nationally renowned, but also the most choice venue of Rock God Bono. And of course every mountain town will have a number of mountain-like bands emerge who will impress and instill a sense of pride among locals and make a stint of mini tours in the region.

But how is this up-and coming-music scene different from any state with its own unique venues, flavorful locals, and occasional medium to larger name shows. If a low-profile band with a strong fan-base is coming to Colorado, its because they are going to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Boise as well, and Denver is, for once, a convenient pit stop. No one is leaving a tour along the coasts to make stop in the "up-and-coming" Colorado music scene. Colorado gets:

Big name, Pepsi-center worthy tours

Tours pushing a new album so hard they stop in Wichita on one side and Salt Lake City on the other

Yonder Mountain String Band

Trendy participants  of the newest Mile High Music Festival (and honestly, what the hell is the Mile High Music Festival..... they are a lot like the potlucks of music....you stuff your face with many dishes of music that are made with the intention of feeding the masses at the expense of delicate quality....not to mention they charge an arm and a leg for a ticket and an inernal organ for a beer)

Hip hop bands marketed to white kids (e.g. Blackalicious, The Roots, Rahzel, Jurasic 5)

Yonder Mountain String Band

Big Head Todd and the Monsters

Big Head Todd and the Monsters

The Fray

Yonder Mountain String Band

Maybe I'm just bitter because everyone I love won't come to see me. Where are you.....

Ra Ra Riot?

Bon Iver?

Santagold?

Fleet Foxes?

MIA?

Vampire Weekend?

Band of Horses?

Ach. I am unsatisfied. Feel free to challenge me. I am obviously unenlightened and really missing something here.