GROUPLOVE and Violent Femmes to Headline Copper Mountain, CO’s, 4th Annual Union Peak Festival – Closing Out a Summer of Free Music 

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Summer Union Peak Festival. Credit: Copper Mountain
  • Grace Potter, Brittney Spencer, and Donavon Frankenreiter will headline Red, White, Brews & Tunes, Copper’s Fourth of July celebration July 4-6 
  • Copper Country is set to feature Josh Abbott Band with Chancey Williams on August 10 
  • Enjoy free live music in the village every weekend, with Brews and Tunes on Fridays and Acoustic Glow on Saturdays 

Copper Mountain, Colorado, is thrilled to announce an exciting lineup for its fourth annual Union Peak Festival, alongside a series of free summer music and festivals that promise to keep the village buzzing with energy and entertainment all season long.

Fourth Annual Union Peak Festival:  

Mark your calendars for September 6 and 7, as Copper Mountain welcomes GROUPLOVE and Violent Femmes as the headline acts for this year’s Union Peak Festival. This vibrant celebration of sports, community, and art will feature two days of free live music performances, interactive art installations, booths, sports demonstrations, and community gatherings.

The alternative rock band GROUPLOVE will take the stage on Friday night. A band that transcends their ever-shapeshifting genre, GROUPLOVE has evolved over the last decade, channeling their ecstatic energy all while playing with the contradictions and complications of existing. Seeing the band at their most liberated, their sixth studio album, I Want It All Right Now is their self-coined “resistance pop” with self-aware reckoning. Building from that, the band recently released I Want It All Right Now Deluxe, which features six new songs, including the frenetic “Chances,” the hugely earnest “Can You Feel My Love,” and the larger-than-life “All (Live)” from Madison Square Garden with Jake Clemons from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band lending his talents on the saxophone. On the Deluxe, GROUPLOVE sinks deeper into the absolution that comes with shaking off the expectation of perfection — as musicians, partners, and parents.

I Want It All Right Now Deluxe fully harnesses the energy GROUPLOVE has brought to the stage on multiple international headline tours and at leading festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza. In a major leap forward for the band—whose lineup includes vocalist Hannah Hooper, vocalist/guitarist Christian Zucconi, bassist Daniel Gleason, guitarist Andrew Wessen, and drummer Ben Homola—the album explores the deepest tensions of the human psyche with equal parts tenderness, curiosity, and exacting self-revelation. A bold evolution of the defiantly sincere songwriting they first delivered on their 2011 debut Never Trust a Happy Song, I Want It All Right Now ultimately leaves the listener newly awakened to the wisdom and power of their own intuition.

On Saturday, American folk-punk legends Violent Femmes will captivate audiences with their raw, emotive music, performing classics such as “Blister in the Sun” and “American Music.” With their distinctive blend of folk, punk, and rock, Violent Femmes promise a night of nostalgia and pure musical brilliance. Both notable acts offer diverse sounds, ensuring that Union Peak Festival closes out the summer at Copper Mountain with a bang.

For an enhanced festival experience, guests can upgrade to full weekend or daily VIP passes. VIP perks include front-of-stage viewing, access to an exclusive catered VIP lounge, daily drink tickets, after-parties with headline acts, and a special Union Peak Festival package featuring a YETI 20oz. Yonder water bottle, long-sleeve shirt, and poster. Book lodging at CopperColorado.com to save $100 on VIP packages.

Summer Union Peak Festival. Credit: Copper Mountain

Music All Summer Long:  

Copper Mountain’s summer season is stacked with free music, offering something for every musical taste. With free major music events happening every month, guests can immerse themselves in the vibrant sounds of the season while enjoying the many mountain activities Copper has to offer.

Red, White, Brews & Tunes July 4-6: Guests can kick off the summer festivities with the Red, White, Brews & Tunes celebration at Copper over the Fourth of July weekend. This three-day event promises a star-studded lineup:

  • July 4: Donavon Frankenreiter: For nearly two decades, Donavon Frankenreiter has offered a unique blend of laid-back grooves, philosophical lyrics, and soulful delivery. This year, Frankenreiter is releasing his first studio album in nine years, “Get Outta Your Mind,” marking the 20th anniversary of his self-titled debut album.
    • Opening act – Cas Haley: Hailing from the heartland of Texas, Cas Haley transcends genres and captures the hearts of listeners with a voice that effortlessly melds the rich traditions of folk, reggae, country, and blues,
  • July 5: Brittney Spencer: As a Baltimore native, Brittney Spencer is known for her free spirit and standout ability to mold life, truth, and wild imagination into songs. She has earned praise from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and others. Spencer has performed on NBC’s Today Show, The Late Show (After Dark), CMA, and ACM Awards. She has shared stages with Jason Isbell, The Highwomen, Willie Nelson, Reba, Bobby Weir, and Maren Morris. On January 19, she released her debut album ‘My Stupid Life’ via Elektra, featuring award-winning collaborators like Grace Potter and Maren Morris.
  • July 6: Grace Potter: Grace Potter is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, band leader, and rock and roll performer. The follow-up to “Daylight”—a 2019 release that earned GRAMMY nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance—”Mother Road” marks the start of a thrilling new era for Potter. Her career includes seven acclaimed albums, sharing the stage with The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, and the Allman Brothers Band, and playing nearly every major music festival.
    • Opening act: Mile High Soul Club: Since 2008, Mile High Soul Club has become the epicenter for Denver’s flourishing soul underground, specializing in making the dance floor move with a quality mix of Soul, Funk, and R&B. MHSC has worked with and opened for notable acts such as Nick Waterhouse, Lenny Kravitz, Fred Schneider of the B-52s, Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys, and many more.
Summer Copper Country. Credit: Copper Mountain

Copper Country: On August 10, country music enthusiasts can gather for Copper Country, a special event dedicated to the best-of-country tunes. This year’s lineup features:

  • Josh Abbott Band: The Texas-bred, eight-piece band offers catchy melodies with a raw red dirt country sound. With the vitality of a freewheeling bar band, their hit song “Somewhere Down The Road” positioned Josh Abbott Band as a formidable force in modern country music.
  • Chancey Williams: Saddle Bronc athlete turned neo-traditional country music sensation Chancey Williams has gone from competing on horseback to performing as a headliner at fairs, festivals, and venues nationwide. Growing up on a ranch in the northeastern corner of Wyoming, Williams is the next authentic cowboy of country music. With the release of his latest album, “One of These Days,” he was invited to debut at the historic Grand Ole Opry.

Weekly Live Music: Every weekend throughout the summer, visitors can enjoy free live music, enhancing their Copper Mountain experience with a soundtrack of diverse genres and talented performers. On Fridays, Brews and Tunes features live music overlooking West Lake and Après at the Aerie, offering guests the opportunity for a free scenic lift ride to the Aerie to enjoy music on the mountain. On Saturdays, the Acoustic Glow series will showcase live music with Summit County’s Randall McKinnon at the Fire Globe, bringing the best in Colorado country and folk on his acoustic guitar. Copper Live, presented by Odell Brewing Co. is another free music series that offers favorite musical performances not to be missed:

  • Theoretical Blonde – July 13 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.: Hailing from Salt Lake City, UT, Theoretical Blonde is a five-piece band rooted in Bluegrass, Americana, Folk, and jazz.
  • Northwoods Band – July 27 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm: Based in Denver, Northwoods Band is a four-
    piece ensemble is known for their renditions of favorite hits from the 90s and today, along with their Rock, Alt. Rock, Blues, Country, and Soul original music.
  • The Burroughs – August 17 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm: Over the past decade, The Burroughs has evolved into a nine-piece band defying categorization with its signature “sweaty soul music,” captivating audiences nationwide with its infectious groove.
  • HomeSlice – August 24 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm: A dynamic nine-piece cover band, HomeSlice brings high energy to the stage with an impressive horn section and powerful vocals. They delight audiences with their diverse song list and engaging performances.

Copper Mountain is the ultimate destination for music lovers and adventure seekers with festivals and major musical acts scheduled throughout summer. See the full summer schedule at CopperColorado.com.

Summer Acoustic Glow. Credit: Copper Mountain

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