Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an iconic destination for music enthusiasts of all types. Be it concerts, films, or hiking in its scenic park – Red Rocks will leave an indelible mark upon you with its natural marvel of ochre sandstone!
Hippo Campus and Sylvan Esso provide crisp and clean sound that easily travels throughout the rocks of North Shore. Read on to discover this unforgettable venue!
The History of Red Rocks
Red Rocks not only hosts popular music acts but also hosts yoga classes and the Easter Sunrise service. Furthermore, Red Rocks Park welcomes hikers and mountain bikers for short tours that focus on its geology, pines, wildflowers, wildlife and stunning views.
Ship Rock and Creation Rock are just two of the impressive sandstone formations found within Red Rocks Amphitheatre that offer visitors breathtaking views and include dinosaur fossils that date back 16 million years. Visitors to the park can explore these geological marvels via foot, mountain bike or horseback to witness them first hand; traders Post Trail offers another challenge before scaling Red Rocks Amphitheatre steps for a serious leg workout! But for an unforgettable experience of Red Rocks Amphitheatre you have to witness a concert; notable artists have included Nat King Cole, Louie Armstrong Harry Belafonte and Ray Charles as among others!
The Venue’s Geology
Geologic uplifts, landslides and the erosion of ancient inland seas over hundreds of millions of years shaped the foothills of Colorado into two monoliths known as Ship Rock and Creation Rock that eventually came to symbolize them both.
John Brisben Walker began inviting musicians to perform on a temporary platform positioned between the iconic rocks in Denver during the early 1900s, which eventually gained such fame that in 1927 Denver purchased it and construction on Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre began shortly afterwards.
National Historic Landmark and beloved music venue, music lovers worldwide cherish it dearly. Now, performers ranging from rock bands to orchestras flock here for its famed stage and extraordinary acoustics.
The Venue’s Geography
Red Rocks shows are unlike anything else; artists tend to choose it over stadiums when booking shows elsewhere because music here transcends mere performance; it becomes part of an experience.
Amphitheatre walls constructed of 300-foot red sandstone walls slop upward to an altitude greater than Niagara Falls, with formations tilting backward or sloping at 90-degree angles, including two major monoliths called Ship Rock and Creation Rock that tower taller than Big Ben.
The rocks at Red Rock Canyon National Monument enact a 16-million-year geologic journey, featuring fossil fragments of 40-foot sea serpents and flying reptiles among other finds. Discover more by visiting their Visitor Center which also provides tours and a small museum.
The Venue’s Acoustics
The iconic venue‘s natural geological structure and towering sandstone monoliths act as natural amplifiers, amplifying every note and lyric with astonishing clarity – even whispers can be heard throughout its 9,525-seat amphitheater!
Red Rocks has hosted an impressive roster of artists from classical symphonies to The Beatles and U2, spanning genres and decades – no wonder this venue is considered one of the premier concert venues worldwide!
But Red Rocks can also prove challenging for performers; its acoustics may work against them if vocalists use harsh or overbearing tones; in such a scenario, Red Rocks may prove unforgiving and not every performer may find success at its acoustic testing ground.
The Venue’s Music Legacy
Red Rocks Natural Amphitheater’s striking red sandstone formations, open skies, and unmatched acoustics make it a sought-after venue for musicians and music fans from all around the world – it has hosted legendary performances by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead and more!
John Brisben Walker, former Cosmopolitan magazine owner and publisher, began inviting musicians to perform on a temporary stage located between Ship Rock and Creation Rock. To inaugurate this venue he invited Pietro Satriano with his 25-piece brass band for what became known as the Grand Opening of the Garden of Titans.
Since that time, artists of various genres have graced Red Rocks stage with their performances bringing their unique energy. Nowadays a visit can include yoga or hiking up its renowned stairs; touring exhibits; or just taking in a concert performance.