Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado stands out as one of the premier outdoor music venues worldwide, hosting some of history’s greatest concerts and becoming a geological marvel at Red Rocks Amphitheatre itself.

From Jimi Hendrix to Mumford & Sons, musicians have found inspiration in the park’s legendary acoustics when creating some of their most iconic live albums here.

The History

Red Rocks stands out among natural amphitheaters as an unparalleled geological wonder, boasting immense red sandstone monoliths – including two 300-foot towering formations such as Ship and Creation Rocks – towering above an open space with its bottom sloped downward to form an oval natural bowl.

Artists frequently book this intimate venue even when larger stadiums would offer better sales; its incredible acoustics and atmosphere make for an unforgettable experience – including Stevie Nicks who made her debut performance here in 1986, as well as Grateful Dead who held their inaugural two-night stand here in 1978.

The Venue

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, part of UNESCO World Heritage Site and beloved among musicians of all generations, stands as a legendary outdoor venue that blends breathtaking natural beauty with world-class entertainment for an experience unlike any other.

Music enthusiasts visiting Colorado shouldn’t miss attending a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre – its world-famous acoustics create an incredible soundscape that resonates throughout its massive rock formations.

COVID-19 related closures had an effect on some events at this venue such as “Film on the Rocks” and fitness activities; during those periods it is recommended that visitors take advantage of other features within the park such as its visitor center, trading post and Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

The Atmosphere

Red Rocks is the place for live music fans of every stripe – be it hip-hop, singer-songwriters or rock. The iconic sandstone formations and panoramic views offer a truly otherworldly ambiance that pairs beautifully with any genre of performance.

Ship Rock and Creation Rock are two massive 300-foot sandstone ledges which flank the seating area to form an amphitheater with exceptional acoustics. A stage is situated between them; front-and-center rock tilts outward to create an expansive space perfect for performers.

Experience renowned hip-hop duo Atmosphere live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as their introspective lyrics and infectious beats transport you into another realm. Bring friends along for an unforgettable concert that features timeless classics.

The Food

Visitors of Ship Rock Grille will also find an amazing musical performance at this venue, not to mention delectable food offerings from concession stands to Colorado-themed creations from Ship Rock Grille – there’s something delicious waiting for them.

Keep hydrated before heading to any performance at an altitude of 6,500 feet; altitude combined with alcohol can result in an intense hangover (or sore legs for hiking nearby trails). You are permitted to bring non-alcoholic sealed beverages into the amphitheater – including camelbacks – so plan ahead by filling up your water bottles prior to leaving home so you have ample hydration during the show.

The Parking

Parking at Red Rocks can be challenging when attending popular shows; therefore, be sure to arrive two hours early in order to secure a space.

Tailgating is a popular practice at many concerts, offering music lovers an enjoyable opportunity to connect in beautiful outdoor spaces while building anticipation of the performance. Tailgate events in Upper North and Upper South lots provide fans with this enjoyable opportunity and allow them to connect with each other as they share in this experience together.

Upper North Lot provides the easiest and most scenic path into the theater, while Lower South Lots 1 & 2 may host shakedown events and/or long port-a-pot lines; both offer stunning views for sold out shows.

The Weather

Red Rocks attracts music fans from all around the globe due to its amazing setting and incredible acoustics, yet as an outdoor venue it can sometimes be affected by adverse weather such as rain or snow, which may hamper performances at concerts held there.

Red Rocks concerts typically go ahead regardless of weather conditions; in extreme cases or when weather poses a potential safety risk, organizers will notify ticket holders directly via official channels of potential schedule changes or warnings.

Be sure to dress for the weather conditions you anticipate at your show, bringing along raincoats or ponchos if necessary, and wearing sturdy footwear to avoid slipperiness on wet surfaces.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre stands out as an iconic outdoor venue due to its beautiful acoustics. Musicians of all genres come back year after year to perform here – such as legendary acts such as the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix!

Millions of years of geologic forces combined to form this breathtakingly beautiful concert venue. But it took a Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration project, led by Denver architect Burnham Hoyt, to turn those rocks into an amphitheater.

History

Red Rocks amphitheater has hosted thousands of concerts and other entertainment events in its 75-year history, often following popular musical trends; opera, classical music concerts and chamber orchestra performances typically dominating early 1900s to 1940s concerts; giving way to soft rock during 1960s/70s performances and then eventually psychedelic rock in later decades.

Hoyt designed his amphitheater to blend in seamlessly with its surroundings, working with Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees and Denver city officials to construct seating areas. His aim was to design something “with minimal architecture that does not detract from its great beauty or exceptional acoustics.”

Lily Pons was the inaugural opera star to perform at Red Rocks on July 3, 1952. Renowned for both her film work and having an entire Maryland town named after her, Lily had one of the most celebrated careers among opera singers of this century.

Seating

Red Rocks provides an unforgettable concert experience for its nearly 9,500-person capacity audience. Its natural amphitheatre’s domed shape and surrounding red sandstone formations enhance sound quality for an unparalleled listening experience no matter what genre of music is being enjoyed.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre provides both Reserved and General Admission seating options depending on which show is being staged at Red Rocks, depending on its capacity. The first few rows at the front and top provide Reserved seating, with rows 1-30 being General Admission seats; Reserved seating is indicated in green on this map while General Admission seats are marked in blue.

Visitors attending shows at the amphitheatre have various parking lots available to them. Car owners should park in either Upper South Lot or Top Circle Lot – these two lots are closer to the amphitheater and it is advised that comfortable shoes, such as hiking boots or regular sneakers, be worn since there will likely be some walking involved in getting from car to venue.

Amphitheater

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre draws music enthusiasts, outdoor exercisers and geology enthusiasts from all over the world. Ship Rock and Creation Rock both offer incredible acoustics; Red Rocks also offers stunning events spaces, concert venues, visitor centers, trading posts, two music Halls of Fame as well as hiking trails – making this park truly one-of-a-kind!

The amphitheater seats 9,000 guests within its spacious, unique seating area. It offers close-up views of the stage from its first rows while rows 12-20 provide an equal balance of sight and sound.

Concertgoers are welcome to tailgate before shows in the amphitheater’s parking lots, with non-alcoholic beverages sold in factory sealed plastic bottles allowed, unless specifically prohibited by a show. Concession stands are located inside both the amphitheater and Visitor Center offering food such as chicken fingers, hot dogs, nachos, ice cream as well as drinks such as draft beer, margaritas and Coke products; additionally there is also The Rocks Restaurant located within its confines which serves full-service meals and drinks throughout its seated capacity.

Getting There

Red Rocks Amphitheatre provides an unforgettable concert experience, having garnered the praise of legendary musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead. Here, visitors can experience Colorado culture first-hand in an exciting open-air setting.

No matter if it’s concerts or exploring the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, this iconic venue has something exciting for everyone to experience.

Arrive early to maximize your experience. Parking lots are included in the ticket price and usually open two hours prior to showtime, with upper lots typically offering shorter walks than lower lots but often filling quickly if they fill. Don’t worry if Upper North or Lower South lots fill quickly; other alternatives exist! It is wise to bring water and snacks with you; that walk at 6,500 feet can take some time; dehydration could put an end to any show!

The Black Keys & Modest Mouse Announce 2019 North American Tour

The Black Keys & Modest Mouse Announce 2019 North American Tour

The Black Keys announced details of their upcoming 2019 Let’s Rock North American Tour. Modest Mouse will open each show, with additional support on select dates from Shannon & The Clams, *repeat repeat and Jessy Wilson.

The Black Keys will headline the 2019 Life Is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas on September 21. The duo made up of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney will then embark on a 31-city tour on September 23 in Denver at The Pepsi Center. Additional arena stops that month include Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis and Cleveland. In October, the Let’s Rock Tour heads to Nashville, Columbus, Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Grand Rapids (Michigan), Toronto, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The November leg begins in Florida with shows in Sunrise and Orlando, followed by stops in Raleigh, Atlanta, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Tacoma (Washington). The tour is set to wrap on November 24 in Vancouver.

Tickets for The Black Keys’ 2019 Let’s Rock North American Tour go on sale on Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m. local venue time. Listen to “Lo/Hi,” the recently released The Black Keys single which marked the first new music from the band since 2014: