DENVER — The 21st century in has seen an explosion of mainstream acts from Colorado, taking cues from high-visibility trailblazers such as Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Hot Rize, and Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

Here are Colorado’s top five biggest acts of the moment — plus a few you may not have heard of.

The Lumineers

Winsome songwriters Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites set out for Denver from New York in 2009, and have since grown into standard bearers for stomp-and-holler music. That Americana genre is loosely defined by rousing, singalong anthems and tender ballads that prize acoustic tones, with singles such as 2012’s “Ho Hey” proving the band’s ability to tease out joy.

Also check out: DeVotchKa, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Heavy Diamond Ring

Illenium

Electronic dance music produ

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