Stacy Nick

The Coloradoan

Colorado bands and retro acts will be big for this year's Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest on Aug. 15-17.

On Monday, Bohemian Foundation announced that Colorado-based blues-rock band Big Head Todd and The Monsters will kick off the festival as its Friday night headliner, followed by '80s rocker Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo on Saturday and '70s funksters WAR on Sunday.

"We wanted to make sure we have a good mix," said Liz Barnez, Bohemian artist relations manager.

One of the first acts the committee signed on was WAR, Barnez said.

"We thought it would be cool to have WAR come back; they started this," she said of the group, which played the first Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest event 10 years ago.

In a phone interview Monday, WAR frontman Lonnie Jordan said he's excited about returning to the Bohemian Nights stage.

"The fans, those smiling faces — they don't give up on us," said Jordan on what has kept him performing. "When the fans are happy, then I'm happy. We entertain each other."

Keeping up the tradition of kicking off the festival's Friday night with a Colorado band that's made it big made choosing Big Head Todd and The Monsters, a "no-brainer," Barnez said. The band began more than 25 years ago, and its name has become synonymous with Colorado music.

Their success is also a way to show the rest of the more than 70 Colorado bands playing the three-day music festival that national and international success is possible, she added.

In the center of it all, Barnez said organizers wanted to make sure to have a strong female act to headline Saturday's show. "Pat Benatar is one of the strongest I know. She even says so," joked Barnez, quoting from one of Benatar's biggest hits, "Love is a Battlefield."

Up until Monday, the selected bands were a closely guarded secret, Barnez said, although she would give hints when people asked.

"I would try to stay stone-faced and not give it away if they answered correctly," she said. "It's fun to have a big surprise for everyone.

"The announcement marks the start of a big, fun summer of music in Fort Collins, and here we go."

Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest

When: Aug. 15-17

Where: Downtown Fort Collins

Cost: Admission is free.

Information: www.bohemiannights.org