Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Concertgoers know that each show at Red Rocks is an unforgettable experience, while it also serves as a destination for hikers, climbers and fitness gurus to practice yoga or run, jump or burpee their way up the amphitheater steps.

John Brisben Walker began bringing musicians to Red Rocks in 1906, quickly building it into one of Denver‘s premiere summer concert destinations. When Red Rocks was purchased by Denver in 1936 and architect Burnham Hoyt hired to design its formal theater, John’s legacy lived on.

The History

Red Rocks Amphitheatre boasts both stunning scenery and amazing acoustics, as well as an extensive history that dates back centuries. Dinosaurs, ancient tribes and settlers, industrial businessmen, politicians, nonprofit organizations architects preservationists artists musicians have all played key roles in its development over time.

John Walker saw potential in using Denver‘s natural amphitheater as a performance space and began organizing concerts on temporary platforms situated between Ship Rock and Creation Rock. Later, in 1928, Denver bought the land and hired world-renowned architect Burnham Hoyt to design it into an amphitheater.

Construction on the amphitheater took five years and was completed in 1941, featuring perfect acoustic properties for music performances due to the sandstone cliffs’ acoustic properties. Concerts ranged from classical to jazz and in 1964 The Beatles debuted there and brought with them rock music; unfortunately a riot at a Jethro Tull concert led to five year ban on rock until 1976 was lifted.

The Venue

Red Rocks is world renowned not only for the music it hosts but also for the breathtaking landscape that surrounds it. Ship Rock and Creation Rock are two sandstone formations named to create an unparalleled concert experience in Colorado’s Red Rocks area, creating an experience like no other concert venue on Earth.

This natural amphitheater seats 9,525 people, and its famed acoustics make it one of the premier musical performance destinations in Colorado. Musicians seek out to play there and fans relish seeing them perform; everyone from The Beatles and Johnny Cash to Jimi Hendrix and U2 has taken to its stages since this legendary Colorado destination first opened.

Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks as getting into Red Rocks may take some time, as well as arriving early so that parking close by doesn’t mean a longer walk to get to your show. And be sure to visit the Visitor Center, with walls dedicated to all of the performers who’ve played there over time!

The Seating

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of Colorado’s premier music venues, known for its beautiful surroundings and distinctive acoustics. The venue features 70 rows of head-on seating that rise upward from its stage – giving visitors the perfect venue for music performances!

If you’re planning on attending an amphitheater concert, arriving early to general admission shows is key for getting the best seats. Most events open doors about an hour beforehand but often a long general admission line forms much earlier for popular concerts.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre has several rules and regulations that must be observed, such as banning certain bags and beverages (other than factory-sealed water) as well as no smoking. Blankets may be allowed, however their size must not exceed 40″x 60″, as all possessions must fit beneath a patron’s seat. For more information, visit their website.

The View

Red Rocks Park boasts 868 acres filled with adventures that go far beyond concerts framed by Red Rocks; you can test your endurance on its iconic steps or hike through stunning trails, discovering unique rock formations and wildlife habitats that represent both Rocky Mountains and Great Plains regions.

Big Head Todd & the Monsters front-of-house engineer Andy Torri acknowledges that it can be challenging for an outdoor venue like this to sound great due to temperature, wind and altitude factors which affect its soundscape. But while recording albums there can be rewarding experience for artists, creating stunning acoustics doesn’t come easily here: the venue requires special consideration when playing shows there due to weather-induced vibrations affecting sound levels – conditions like these make an effective performance more of a challenge for performers than at an indoor location compared with indoor settings due to temperature wind and altitude influences which affect its soundscape – Big Head Todd & The Monsters front-of-house engineer Andy Torri knows first-hand that making great sound at an outdoor venue can be tricky due to temperatures, wind speed and altitude factors all having effects on how shows sound at that venue is made possible thanks to it’s great acoustics; however it takes practice when performing live at this venue due to temperature, wind speed and altitude all having effects on its sound quality affecting its characteristics; these elements all having their impactful presence when performing at an outdoor venue like this venue can prove difficult; as explained Big Head Todd & Monsters front-of-house engineer Andy Torri found out.

Locals arrive early to tailgate in the vast parking lot, where they bring food and alcohol that’s not permitted inside. For those without access to transportation options or ride share services there is public transit available at Trading Post Road South or Upper South or Top Circle lots that pick people up for pickup services.