Red Rocks Amphitheater Lives up to Expectations
Concert going has always been a shared love for the two of us. We’ve probably seen 500 shows in our decades together. And now, over the past few years, we’ve tried to kick it up a notch. We began scheduling destination concerts – looking for great locales to see our favorite artists.
The venue at the absolute top of our bucket lists was Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. Like many fellow rock music fans, Red Rocks showed up on our radars 40 years ago when U2 shot an iconic concert film at the park. The imagery was stunning and the performance legendary.
After checking this year’s schedule, we zeroed in on a Stick Figure show. We’ve seen Stick Figure before and thought the band’s earthy reggae vibe would be a great fit for Red Rocks. We snagged two tickets and planned our trip to Colorado.
The drive into the park was simply beautiful. Red Rocks Park is a worthwhile destination on it’s own. Covering nearly 1,000 acres, it’s an awesome place to bike or hike, and admission is free. The amphitheater is also open to the public during the day and is a hugely popular spot to workout. After enjoying the scenery, we visited the onsite museum. The photos and artifacts inside were awesome for music lovers like us. We also enjoyed viewing the historical record of the daunting construction endeavor which are on display. When you head to Red Rocks, make sure you arrive early enough to enjoy the museum and grounds.
If you’re not familiar with Red Rocks, here’s the scoop. The structure is a natural amphitheater located about ten miles outside of Denver. Humongous red rock formations surround the amphitheater, providing amazing views in every direction. And by huge, we’re talking over 100 feet tall – this site was once called Garden of the Titans.
In the early 1900’s local shows took place on a small platform at the bottom of the formation. Then in 1936, the Civilian Conservation Corps began construction on the current venue. It looked like a miserable job, but the results had to be satisfying. Terraced benches were carved into the formation during a painstaking process that took five years. The end product is amazing, ultimately resulting in a cozy outdoor arena that comfortably sits 9,000+ guests.
How special is Red Rocks? It was winning the best venue award in the US every year. So, they removed Red Rocks from consideration and renamed the award the Red Rocks Award!
Arriving early also allows you to snag a parking spot close to the entrance. Get there late and your hike to the gates could be a long and rugged one. Jackie’s friend Stacy is a Red Rocks veteran who joined us and helped us learn the ropes. We tailgated at the top lot for a few hours as the amphitheater was readied for the show, enjoying some local Denver-area brews. The smell of pot was everywhere and although it is apparently illegal to fire up in public, no one was shy about lighting up throughout the lot. It was a comfortable party and we met some chill folks in the spots nearby. Concert-goers started lining up at the GA entrance a few hours before the show. We decided to hang out in the lot pregaming, as we’d heard from numerous people that there wasn’t a bad seat in the house.
As the show began, we found ourselves about 1/3 of the way back from the stage. The seats were wooden benches, not terribly comfortable, but there was a ton of legroom – more than we’ve ever seen at any venue. The rows curved gently giving the seating area a more natural feel. It should be noted that there is no cover over any of the seating areas, so guests are fully exposed to the elements, but the positive is that there are beautiful views everywhere you turn.
It’s hard to explain just how wonderful the view around the arena is. Everything revolves around the way the amphitheater seamlessly blends in with the unparalleled natural views. A stunning horizontal rock formation frames the back of the stage, with beautiful desert views just behind. Two gigantic slanted outcroppings frame either side of the amphitheater, with a collection of stately Aspen Pines lining the walls. Behind the crowd sits another magnificent natural structure. Stunning vistas every direction you look. And the rocks do something magical to the sound, too.
The sun was still shining as the first two bands, The Elovaters and Pepper took the stage. The sound was great, and the vibe in the stands was wonderful. Just a fun, relaxed crowd enjoying their day. It’s a special place for the performers, too, and it is obvious that they feed off of the energy pouring down towards the stage. Both of the first two bands pulled out some special twists to celebrate their day at Red Rocks. Everywhere we looked, the action was framed by beautiful natural red rock formations, and the view from the stage was likely more spectacular. The performers were clearly inspired.
Stick Figure took the stage as the sun began to set. Just over the stage behind the band, nature’s beauty unleashed a beautiful show as the sun dropped. Our fantastic night was turning magical. The red and orange hues that bathed the sky just added to the exceptional views. I’ll spare you the concert review but share how special this place is. Stick Figure played their longest set ever – playing 45 minutes longer than their previous longest. They brought out special guests at three different times, including reggae legend Barrington Levy who freelanced with the band for twenty minutes. It was an unforgettable set, on an unforgettable night in an unforgettable place.
Bottom line: a show at Red Rocks needs to be on everyone’s list. It’s the best place either of us has ever seen a show. Red Rocks is a rare special place that absolutely lives up to the hype. We will be back, and it might just be for Stick Figure again…
Ay other venues that we need to add to our list?
Bob and Jackie
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Two video snippets from the day. Stick Figure – All For You” and Pepper “Warning” – the Pepper video shows a bit more of the beautiful backdrop behind the stage.