Red Rocks Amphitheater, the only natural amphitheater in the world, must be experienced to be believed. Renowned for its breathtaking natural setting and unparalleled acoustics, Red Rocks has long been on many musicians and music enthusiasts’ bucket lists as an experience not to be missed! Filming music videos there and premieres of new songs have also become common practices at Red Rocks.
On June 15th 1941, this legendary outdoor venue hosted its inaugural concert to commemorate its official opening as an amphitheatre constructed from Red Rocks area sandstone formations. Government officials provided speeches at this groundbreaking event while ceremonies took place to recognize indigenous territory of Red Rocks area. Since then, this iconic amphitheater has hosted many musical and cultural events like concerts by Jethro Tull, The Beatles, U2 and Fleetwood Mac as well as filming locations for The Joshua Tree movie franchise and Star Wars series films.
Since its introduction, the amphitheater has undergone significant renovation and upgrade efforts since its inception. Between 1982 and 1994, new stages and sound systems were installed as well as visitor’s center facilities and parking facilities – marking it as a national historical landmark at this point.
Burnham Hoyt used his architect skills during construction of an amphitheater in 1936 to ensure as few manmade elements as possible interfered with natural formations while still providing views and acoustics to match those found elsewhere in nature. Construction crews from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s recovery programs such as Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration helped accomplish this mission successfully.
Steep pitches and panoramic views ensure there’s no bad seat in this venue. General admission seating fills quickly and tight spaces may become available before most fans get dancing by the end of each show – plan on leaving early! Exiting parking lots after shows may take a considerable amount of time as well, so bring a car and plan to leave early.
Attended concerts at Red Rocks? For your comfort and to protect the ground from getting rough and rocky in spots. Additionally, it may be beneficial to bring along a light jacket or sweatshirt as temperatures can quickly decline once nightfall sets in.
Final Note: Water should always be brought, as altitude can quickly render people dehydrated. Some locals recommend arriving early and enjoying cold beverages from a cooler before entering the venue – note, no glass is permitted inside the amphitheater so only bring plastic or metal bottles! Also pack snacks; food vendors in theater are pricey and overcrowded. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water; many fans forget this important step and end up dehydrated during a show!