Red Rocks: Nature's perfect music stage

Outside of Denver is one of America's most iconic music venues: a naturally-formed amphitheatre, millions of years in the making, that is today a stunning setting for concerts and yoga sessions. Correspondent Luke Burbank visits Red Rocks, and talks with members of the band The String Cheese Incident about the intensity and acoustics of a Red Rocks set.
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[@mrs.garrett1868]

A few years back, my husband and I flew out to Denver from the East Coast just to go see James Taylor at Red Rocks. It was a warm summer night under a full moon. One of the best shows I have ever attended. Truly magical.

[@samanthab1923]

I used to see James Taylor every summer at our local venue in NJ. Lawn seats in the 70's. Now I'm in PA & noticed his brother Livingston is playing at a nearby winery.

[@boogerdog5247]

In 2014, I was there several times. On one evening, sitting higher up the rows, I had a clear view over the staging, with the backdrop the illumination of the Denver skyline. It was a clear, cloudless night, and a huge, awesome big moon rose over Denver. It was, as photographs go, a very rare moment of perfection. I've wondered, at each month's full moon stage, how often mother nature would provide that same clarity and perfection. Truly an awesome sight. Throughout our national parks, the infrastructure in stonework that the WPA left in its wake, all these years later, a testament to craftsmanship and talent. Americana, at its finest.

[@rpal320]

Saw Jame Taylor at Red Rocks in 1976. It was AWESOME! Beach boys gave a free concert there around that time. It was SO good! Red Rocks is a very special place! Love that place! ❤

[@trwent]

How Sweet It Is !!

[@HNunyabusiness]

I lived 5 miles from red rocks for years. You tourists are f’ing it for the locals. Stay home next time

[@marcotix4]

This was my dad’s daily cardio training spot. This spot was the reason how he in his 80’s can still outrun me anywhere anytime!

[@RIPdBOON]

Man, my fat@ss needs to start doing cardio

[@NicholtheJournalist]

I was born and raised in Golden and Morrison which hosts Red Rocks, it was a magical place to grow up and for us natives it is a sacred treasure

[@chuckchilders9966]

I live in Coal Creek Canyon. Red Rocks is my church

[@sadeeq7596]

beautiful place

[@andreahicks967]

I'm from Wheat Ridge. We would go there for parties in high school

[@lobitome]

The best venue I have ever seen a concert at. Something really special about the place. Going back a few times this year.

[@jacquelinekohn2082]

I’ve been going to Red Rocks since the early 60’s, fortunate to have seen so many legends of music play there. It’s a magical place.

[@zachabsher8546]

That's awesome

[@satchmo5347]

I’m a Denver native and have been seeing shows at Redrocks since the late 1970s. Here are the shows I’ve seen: Barry Manilow, Doobie Brothers, Sting (2x), Spyro Gyra, Grateful Dead (2x), Crosby, Stills, & Nash (2x), Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Idena Menzel, Colorado Symphony, Stevie Wonder, Bela’ Fleck, Yo Yo Ma, an a few others that I may be forgetting. I’ve never seen a bad concert at Red Rocks. It’s truly magical.

[@dougmackey3696]

My wife and I finally made it to a concert at Red Rocks last Sunday night. We saw the Avett Brother’s, one of our favorite bands. What a glorious experience. This venue is so special. The weather was perfect and the music was terrific. We can’t wait to go back for another concert.

[@ikarooz]

I happily work at Red Rocks. We entertain with more than just great concerts. We are sold out for most shows, including movie nights. Billions of years in the making, it never gets old. ROCK ON!

[@bintheredonethat]

Posted a comment above before seeing yours. I worked at Red Rocks, a lot! Late 70s, 80s concerts. Take a look at what I said, from an old timer who knows that place like the back of my hand. ;0)

[@patton303]

I’ve had the honor of playing at Red Rocks with various bands about 10 times in my career. It’s the most thrilling place I’ve ever played and it feels like you’re in the crowd from the stage. You look out into a wall of people. I’ve seen many shows there too. Magical every time.

[@harrywinslow3946]

I grew up over the hill from Red Rocks, within hiking distance. "Back in the day", my brothers and friends and I hiked there, and at that time you could crawl up the crevasse to the opening that looks over the seats. It's now fenced off. I saw scores of concerts at Red Rocks when I got older. It's the most magical place on earth to see a concert. And my one claim to fame is that when I was 13 I got to help set up the Beatles equipment on their for their first American tour. It was the only venue not sold out. Go figure.

[@stevensolomon2166]

Great story but how did CBS not mention, U2’s legendary, rain soaked, epic “Under A Blood Red Sky” concert?! Big miss. Speaking of which, 2023 will be the “40th” anniversary of this historic concert. I’m hoping that U2 will return on June 5th to play and celebrate this momentous anniversary!

[@calford4710]

I dream of having the chance to attend a show or even perform here someday. Beautiful!

[@terin1862]

Amazing place to watch the sunrise. ☀️

[@Patricia-vs4dd]

Beautiful place! I saw Chicago band, and Sarah McLachlan over there. It was an amazing experience 🙏❤️

[@samanthab1923]

My brother saw the Dead there years ago.

[@davidg.3617]

Never heard of this place before but it sounds like a bucket list location.📍🌎

[@arthurvaldez2492]

Most beautiful venue on earth I'm glad it's in my backyard :)

[@Lovejazz01]

I first heard of Red Rocks when U2 performed there famously in the early 80’s , and I remember Stevie Nicks performing there back in the 80’s as well..

[@stevevaughn5365]

Any Red Rocks story that doesen't mention the blastoff of U2's career after playing there is an incomplete story. I DID like hearing how CCC built the venue.

[@pohanahawaii]

👏👏👏 Wow, now Red Rocks Amphitheater is officially on my bucket list.

[@SD-co9xe]

I'm in love with this place. My favorite place I've been in the US and I've been all over.

[@jasoncrump1886]

So amazing . Gotta go catch a concert there soon. What a beautiful place .

[@forthedoggiesguitars2277]

Get a good workout walking up the steps into this one of a kind beautiful venue.

[@blitzmonkey]

Red Rocks, The Gorge & Jones Beach on bucket list for a concert

[@trevor_corey8037]

String cheese is such an incredible band.

[@bircruz555]

Red Rocks have hosted a summertime seasonal event called Music on the Rocks since 1968. First to play in 1968 was Jimmy Hendricks. (I was not there.) For me, the lasting memory was Reggae on the Rocks. In the 1990s, I had the opportunity to see Burning Spear play. It was truly magical. There was lightning and thunder, and plumes of smoke of the Reggae kind deep into the night, Denver glowing far below. Magical!

[@tucko11]

Great audio quality

[@numberphive]

I graduated high school at Red Rocks

[@chrisandreas3142]

Marc Rebillet is comming November 30 baby!!!! Get ready 🔥

[@michellemarie1197]

It's so pretty

[@chrislong3938]

My wife and I went t oRed Rocks (It's close to home) to see Buddy Guy... About middle of his show, storm clouds were building over Denver. By the time they got to us and the drops began falling, he broke into "It feels like Rain'! It was surreal!!! Never missed a beat, and what a great show!!!

[@fibacademyusabusinessaccre1207]

Red Rocks was my first concert ever! I saw Dolly Parton there!

[@tomimpala]

Oh my God, it's beautiful

[@joanhargrove3765]

Beautiful place !

[@brreezy421]

Going for first time in June. So pumped!

[@franklinzappa7043]

Just saw Los Lobos/Tedeski Trucks 7-30-22⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fun Fabulous Show. . My First show at Red Rocks was Joe Walsh in 1981, when the entire venue was GA.

[@alecbutler2450]

John Denver had also performed at Red Rocks.

[@CapnBlood]

"the most incredible vista ever for your vinyasa" 0:35 we know what you're looking at Luke Burbank ; )

[@aurtisanminer2827]

Back in ‘03-‘05 I worked for Argus event staffing. Unfortunately I never did take the chance to work at red rocks but I could have. Looks like a pretty neat place.

[@johndavidkendle9405]

My cousin lives there, they went to concert there 👍🏻👍🏻

[@AT-yg4nk]

I’ve lived about 20 miles away from this beautiful, majestic place my entire life. It is easily the most energetic, spiritual place I’ve ever been to on the planet. One time I went to see TOOL at Red Rocks…I took 2 hits of some very potent LSD, 1/2 half eighth of shrooms, had a few hits from a joint and maybe a few sips from this mixed drink and I SWEAR!!!.. I was in heaven. I don’t know how to quite describe the feeling I achieved.. but it was something that I honestly feel a very small percentage of people have ever achieved on the planet!! It was so profound it literally changed my entire life. I felt something that night that shaped my entire destiny and ever since I’ve still been on the pursuit of… I’m still in the “creation process” of the idea that came to me that night. Other than a few pivotal moments in my childhood, ..or the birth of my daughter.. this night would go down as one of the most life changing events to occur in my life.

[@steveconn]

Santa Fe Opera similar experience (except stage gives a bit of reverb from highway thanks to recently built native casino next door).

[@GianLucaBernardi-o9r]

Luogo assolutamente straordinario, incantevole e mozzafiato. Poi quella, sera che suonarono gli U2... 👏👏👏💕🤝🤗

[@doncarmack5132]

I just spent last week at red rocks , fk it’s cool 💪😎

[@gstargmoney]

Can’t wait for Cannons to play tonight

[@Douglas-1994]

I want to go see a concert at red rocks someday. I found out one of my favorite Christian bands MercyMe will be performing there October 17!!!

[@tomimpala]

2:10 "driven out" eh don't wanna use language that's a bit more fitting for how brutal it was

[@PicklePaint]

Just saw the Wu Tang here. 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@robertduggan2085]

String cheese baby !!

[@Cdf1964]

Unfortunately, I've never been to Red Rocks, but it seems almost magical based upon everything I've heard. Since I don't know much about music venues, why haven't more of the "big name" rock groups played there? Is it not big enough or cost-effective (for their egos)? I would think most music groups would do about anything to say they've performed there, but then again, I know very little about the music industry.

[@hadrian0512]

The problem is capacity. It only seats 10k, and the huge acts can easily draw crowds more than double that. Big acts like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift also need a larger and more accessible stage for their huge production.

[@brucecarroll3563]

an 'out of body experience' for attendees of the Easter Sunrise Service at this incredible venue of Red Rocks that are celebrating the 'out of body' ascension of Jesus to heaven forgiving their sins. GOD created this place which is intended for 'this use' and countless others for the enjoyment of his children. Never been there?..never lived! (once considered to be one of the 7 wonders of the world before the 7 were firmly established... and still regarded by many as #8)

[@_A4A]

I just hope that all that bass and vibration that is absorbed by the rocks, dosen't cause them to collapse one day during a major venue, causing hundreds of casualties!....

[@ElTuco84]

This is the place where U2 became superstars.

[@KrystylSummers]

Lucille we like ice skating. Can you change the weather

[@philipbassist8255]

I know the best places to sit. Dont ask but if you know, you know. And if you know, dont tell. Our little secret.

[@Blueeyedsoul1986]

String cheese quartet had a run in with the law and told the sherif that there was string cheese in the bag instead of pot. That's how they got the name supposedly

[@xs5783]

Zane Was Hansta Mota-Ek Chaante Ka Play Tha..Kya Kara???

[@Thegeneralms1]

Widespread Panic has 66 consecutive sold out shows

[@franklinzappa7043]

I saw Widespread Panic for their #53rd sold out show . I got to go to the dressing rooms, under the Stage, and backstage. Lotsa fun

[@Jazzlobotomy]

Freddy Kruger Nichols canyon

[@djbryanladd]

Driven out 1800's

[@timusica]

Id be afraid of the extreme volume levels to not cause a landslide.

[@ikarooz]

Don't be afraid. It is well maintained. There is a volume limit.

[@xs5783]

Mahboob Or Meri Ek Hi Baat Hoi-10 Saal Ka Bacha Bhi Lolipop Nai Khata..Kya Chodya Chala Raha He Mere Bech Bech Me??

[@namegame]

nice place but its cursed from some of the activities taking place there especially after harming the indians that had the area before being driven out having their land stolen from them.

[@dope1725]

Nephew fake text😊2023