Fan Stories

This was a bucket list item. My family and I saw OAR in June of 2026. The view behind the stage was vast with the lights of Denver. The staff are so kind and crowd was welcoming to our family. Truly an Iconic Venue.

Don’t remember what year it was but had to be late 70s early 80s. Chuck Mangione was playing a song called “Chase the Clouds Away”. The band timed it that while they were playing the song there was a lunar eclipse. It appeared that it was right over Denver. This will be a lifelong memory

The first concert I saw was in 1962 when Herb Alpert and the Tijuana brass played there. My favorite memories when Mark Knopfler played and the crowd roared for so long with such high energy, I began to think if there were a way to capture all that energy it would be enough to light a city.

I saw Lorde at Red Rocks this past fall of 2025, and it was such a surreal and beautiful experience. I’ve been to plenty of amazing concerts, but this one was extra special because of the environment. Watching the sun set behind the stage was amazing, and singing to Green Light at the end with everyone jumping and dancing is one of my favorite concert memories.

When I was in Kindergarten, my class’s favorite song for music was Robots by Kraftwerk. In 2022, I won tickets from The Colorado Sound to see them at Red Rocks. It was my first visit and I know that 5 year old me was elated that he got his favorite song so many years later.

The Grateful Dead in 1979. At that show I heard “Althea” for the first time. The view of Denver at twilight was gorgeous. Right after they sang “It Looks Like Rain” it started raining, lightly and pleasantly. Probably the best of the 19 GD shows I attended.

September of 2013, night two of the Lumineers with the Colorado Symphony, 100% chance of rain. This was the evening my wife and I first met at Red Rocks because of a mutual friend who had some extra last minute tickets. Been married now for 11+ years with two wonderful kids. Red Rocks is a special place for us! Been back many times since.

When I heard one of my favorite groups, Rufus du Sol, was playing at the Red Rocks, I knew I would be there!!! Driving up to the Red Rocks is an extraordinary sight in itself. But then to witness the sunset and all the rocks changing to beautiful colors as the sun went down was just simply…phenomenal! You find yourself totally mesmerized by the crowd, the music, the ambience, the beat of the music, and there is no feeling to compare!

The venue is stunning! I was there on 6/18/26 to see the Third Day 30th Anniversary concert featuring Michael W. Smith. I’ve been to many concerts all over the world, and this was my favorite place. It was truly a worship experience with the beauty of Red Rocks. It was my first time to Colorado.

I brought my niece to Film on the Rocks (for both of our first times) and sat in the same section where my dad (her Opa) graduated high school ❤️

String Cheese Incident, not sure of the year. I was there with my homie when I lived there. It was raining the whole second set, and they turned lights out toward the crowd. The lights were catching all the raindrops as they fell, and it was like the air was just saturated with multicolored streaks filling the venue. Everyone was enveloped in these light streaks. Such a cool night.

Also, Billy Strings at Red Rocks was the first show my partner and I went to after we were together. Happiest day of my life.

Hands down, The Blues Brothers! When they were in their prime and John Belushi doing cartwheels on the stage. A magical experience! I was 16 yrs old and spent the summer of 1979 attending as many concerts as I could at Red Rocks.

I proposed to my wife during “Iris” at Red Rocks. I stepped in front of her to hold her hand, dance, and wait for the perfect lyric before dropping to one knee. Completely unaware of my plan, she looked at me and said, “Can you move? You’re blocking my view.” I did… by getting down on one knee. She said yes. ❤️

My favorite memory is seeing Bruce Springsteen in 1978. It was my first Red Rocks concert and his first concert west of the Mississippi. I will never forget Clarence Clemons dancing on the rocks in his white suit playing the saxophone.

Jethro Tull Concert in the 80’s, what a fantastic venue for a concert. Ian Anderson came out on stage in a wheelchair. It was after his bad accident. He stepped out of the wheelchair and started belting out songs every one screamed and cheered we were so happy he was healed. What a beautiful place for a concert. The sound is amazing.

I live outside of Boston, MA, but the only place I wanted to be for my 60th birthday was at Yoga on the Rocks. I had never done it, and it was the PERFECT way to celebrate. I had been dreading turning the big 6-0, but being at Red Rocks at 6 am made my day. It was life changing. I will never forget the experience. I hope to celebrate many more decades on the Rocks at sunrise.

Harry Connick Jr. where it poured and practically everyone stayed. Harry exclaimed, y’all are crazy but if you’re staying, I’m staying.

Saw Bruce Springsteen in ‘81 or ‘82. Got there early for good seats and it started to rain. When Bruce came out he did the song “who’ll stop the rain” by CCR and the rain stopped and a full moon came out. Magical!!

I am fortunate to have enjoyed Red Rocks for concerts, hikes, and yoga over the past 37 years. My first concert was Def Leppard — probably my most memorable, not only because it was my first, but because I attended with my older brother and friends. Leaving that concert, and every one since, fills my soul with joy. The beauty of the venue and the shared love of music with those around you — there is nothing like it

We visited red rocks in September of 2025. I surprised my girlfriend on her 60th birthday with tickets to see Get the Led Out. It was an awesome show and an experience that will never be forgotten. If you can, you have to see and feel the Red Rocks Amphitheatre at least once. You won’t regret it.

If I had to choose one favorite experience it would be the first time I saw RÜFÜS DU SOL at Red Rocks in 2022. I’ve seen them five times since then, but nothing has ever compared to that first night. The combination of their music, the towering red rocks, the cool mountain air, and thousands of people sharing the same moment created an atmosphere that felt almost transcendent. It wasn’t simply a concert; it was an experience that seemed to blur the line between music, nature, and pure joy.

The year was 1989, and Stevie Ray Vaughn was playing on the Rocks in August. During that show he laid down as sweet a rendition of ‘Tin Pan Alley’ as I’ve ever heard! Purple Lights were reflecting from a mirrored ball and magically floating throughout the venue.
I’ll never forget that show … and particularly the feeling that I had during his exceptional performance of that song. Thank you for the memory Stevie – and Thank you Red Rocks for providing us with the Best Concert Venue on the Planet.

Our very first Red Rocks show was Bonnie Raitt on 9/3/1994. We had our 9 week old firstborn with us at her first ever show. There was a severe thunder and lightning storm and we scurried to purchase “I got rained on at Red Rocks” bright orange ponchos. We don’t recall the band ever stopping or taking a rain delay. Bonnie kept backing up on the stage, still playing her electric guitar. Really wild show. In the following decades we saw dozens of shows but no weather events quite as wild as our first show at the Rocks!

I have two memories that will stick with me forever and I tell people about all the time. They’re both from the ’80s. One is when the Talking Heads played. It was about 10 minutes past showtime and there was not one stitch of equipment on the stage. People were wondering just how late it was going to start. Then David Byrne came out with nothing but a microphone and started singing and by the end of the song the entire band was set up wow! The other was when U2 played in the early ’80s and MTV was there with helicopters flying over. The video from that concert of Sunday Bloody Sunday ended up on MTV and I can see my silhouette up on the rock that I had climbed up on!

Mastodon and Lamb of God were absolutely epic a few years back. Incredible performance of complete albums by both bands. Toss in a few amazing encores combined with the first concert attended with my wife, it made for an unbelievable experience. Red Rocks is pure magic.

Seeing a show at Red Rocks has been on our bucket list for as long as I can remember. So, when we realized James Taylor was playing on June 3, 2024—our 16th wedding anniversary—we knew we just had to go. Sitting out there under a completely clear, starry night sky with those massive red rocks all around us was pure magic. James Taylor and his All-Star Band sounded incredible. We spent the night holding hands, listening to music we love, and just soaking it all in. It was the absolute perfect way to celebrate 16 years together, and it’s a night we’re going to hold onto forever.

I assisted with promotional lighting (gobos on the Ship and Creation rocks) for a few years for both Icelantic Winter on the Rocks and Jeep on the Rocks. As such, I got to go behind the scenes. Seeing all the performing artists’ names on the walls under the stage is something I will never forget. And knowing, “I got to be a part of a performance at Red Rocks,” is a career highlight.

Flying my boyfriend in to see Rufus du Sol for his 50th birthday. Our first time to Red Rocks and first time seeing Rufus du Sol. We became friends with the people around us and sang our lungs out with strangers. Still the best show either of us have ever been to.

I met my husband at the 9/15/13 Lumineers w/ the Colorado Symphony show! It was the most transformative experience of my life, thank you for the magic Red Rocks!

My first rock concert was at red rocks. I was 15 years old, and my mom dropped us off for the Jethro Tull concert in 1971. We had no idea what we were in for. As we were waiting for the band to come out, our eyes started burning from something in the air. We didn’t know what it was. We learned from the crowd that there was a riot outside, and it was tear gas coming inside. In the midst of it all, Ian Anderson walked out on to the stage with the band and said welcome to World War II, and started to play songs from Aqualung. To this day that was one of the greatest concerts I have ever seen. I saw so many red rocks concerts after that, but that one will always stick out.

My best friend and I road tripped to see Flume at Red Rocks. Flume has been a huge part of my life and a soundtrack so many fond memories. Getting to experience his discography at one of the world’s most unique and iconic venues is a memory that I will cherish with every fiber of my being for the rest of my life. I sincerely hope that everyone who wants to has a chance to experience one of their favorite artists at Red Rocks, and I very much look forward to my next visit. Thank you for existing <3

The Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem Show. It followed the first year of an incredible lineup at the Monolith Festival. We fell in love with that venue and hope to visit again very soon.

My first time visiting Red Rocks was in 2024 with my husband. We drove over 1500 miles on this trip and saw some amazing things. But we ended our trip at Red Rocks where we saw Wilderado and Mt Joy. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I can’t wait to go back!

My first show at Red Rocks was the Eagles in the 70s. I’ve traveled the country and world seeing shows and there’s no venue that comes close to the beauty and sound of the Rocks. Party on Red Rocks.

Seeing a shooting star go over Ship Rock while Weyes Blood opened for The Strokes in 2023

Depeche Mode World Violation Tour – as they performed Waiting For The Night, the sun set completely and was gone by song’s end!

It was 1971 or 72, Jethro Tull was playing. Myself and two friends were there but we didn’t have a ticket so we, along with a couple hundred people were sitting on the hill up and behind the theater. There were police on horseback and someone threw a rock at one of the horses and a riot ensued.

Best show at Red Rocks for me was Bruce Hornsby and the Range. During their performance of “The Red Plains” every time Bruce would sing “Fire” it seemed like lighting would strike over downtown Denver due to a rainstorm that was in process. Very cool and very memorable!

I’ve been coming to Red Rocks since I was 17 years old, I’m 70 years old now & I’ve gone to at least 10 to 16 shows every summer, since my retirement! I live quite far from the venue – up in the mountains, but I make the trip to see many different artists each year! I love Red Rocks! It’s the only concert venue I will go to now! I know the employees by their first names & I tip them!! My son told me to “Calm Down, Before You Have A Heart Attack” I was enjoying a concert to which I replied “I can’t think of a better way to Go!” Thank you for a lifetime of joy and great shows!!

First time at Red Rocks, we saw Mt. Joy perform in 2024. It was August 9 and my birthday! The next morning we woke up and did Yoga on the Rocks. Truly an amazing 24 hours at Red Rocks!

We were at Red Rocks for a Bonnie Raitt concert a few years ago!! It was our first time seeing a concert there. It had been on our bucket list!! It was a magical night!! Perfect weather and as she was singing the full moon was rising behind her!! Wonderful in every way!!

Watching Blues Traveler play on the Fourth of July with fireworks displays going off all over Denver behind the stage while John Popper played the National Anthem on his Harmonica. An unforgettable experience!

Many years ago, we flew into Denver where we would spend a night before driving to Steamboat Springs. We stopped into a tourist store located on the 16th Street Mall. A representative told us about a Red Rocks concert that night. But it was all moot – Tickets were not available. We left and walked a couple of blocks. Suddenly from behind us we saw the representative running after us. Two tickets had just become available, and she wanted to offer them to us. Incredibly good fortune! Red Rocks was beautiful! The concert was wonderful! We have enjoyed both the venue and the concerts we have seen at Red Rocks since that first concert we attended many years. Happy 85th Birthday.

Red Rocks has been a huge part of my life. It’s my favorite place in the world — and not just because of the concerts. As a teenager, my friends and I spent countless nights here. My first concert was here. My high school graduation was here. I’ve been bringing my kids here since they were little — hiking the trails, learning the history, and making memories together. I’ve watched so many sunrises and sunsets from these rocks.

This place has been my happy place, but also the place that brings me peace when life feels heavy. But the best part of all of it has been sharing these moments and memories with the people I love.

My parents’ first date was a Red Rocks concert in the summer of 1948. I found the program from that Glenn Miller band concert among my mother’s treasures after she passed. They obviously hit it off, as they were married in 1950 and were married for 58 years.

Many amazing concerts here…the best was continuing the experience with my 13 year old son to see his first concert, Imagine Dragons, in the summer of 2018! So rewarding to witness him respond to the music and the incredible venue that we’re so lucky to have in our backyard.

We had just learned that I was pregnant with our first child. We asked someone to snap a photo of us at Foster the People in 2014, and I held up 3 fingers. It was what we sent our family to announce our pregnancy! We also knew, even then, it was the start of the end of our spontaneity so we danced even harder than any show before!

It was June 5th, 1990. At the last minute I hesitantly agreed to join my co-workers and attend a weekday concert (Don Henley) at Red Rocks. We had general admission seats (about 15 rows up) and a few in our group happen to sit in some seats that were being saved by a few guys. One tall, attractive guy Andrew, came up to me to say we were in their seats but we could stay if I agreed to dance. We married 3 years later on May 30, 1993. Many, many years later he found the Don Henley Red Rocks ticket he had purchased and saved and had it framed for me (it is very worn). When Red Rocks re-placed the original bench seating in 2008 and made them available to the public I secretly purchased one and gave it to my Andrew for our anniversary. We still have the bench and the framed ticket in our home.

I have been to many shows at Red Rocks, but Nathaniel Ratliff on August 23, 2023 was the tops!! This was the day that I proposed to my beautiful wife outside of Red Rocks and she said YES!!!

I saw my first Red Rocks show in 2024…..Counting Crows and Santana. Beautiful summer night….a mellow well behaved crowd….and the sound was every bit as good as anything you have ever heard about the venue.

My first concert at Red Rocks was after I graduated high school in 1997 to see Dave Matthews Band and I have been to at least one a year ever since. I started working out there about 10 years ago, walking the bleachers, climbing the stairs and feeling incredible gratitude that this wonder is just 15 minutes from my house. I bring all of our out of town friends here and love that my kids are old enough to share the experience. Reggae on the Rocks is our most favorite recurring concert to attend!

Dancing on the stage with 1800 friends for Daybreaker’s 1000th event while Justin Jay had us all jumping in sync. Peak joy.

My 1st Red Rocks experience was Ween and The Flaming Lips, July of 2006. What a truly epic evening of rock n roll! The poster still hangs on my wall.

My favorite memory was the torrential rain during Deadrocks 10, immediately followed by Zeds Dead’s song “Sweet Memories,” which goes, “I can’t stand the rain against my window.” I started crying because it just felt so spiritual. We were all right where we were supposed to be!

In 1968 Aretha Franklin walked off the stage after her revue played for two hours, saying, “The man didn’t pay me my money.” She deserved “Respect” with her rising fame. She’s got soul. I was sitting with my tall blonde steady in the fifteenth row as bottles started flying over our heads. I’d like to protect her but she digs the chaos. The crowd torches the piano onstage and the brush around the park. I learn to love this story even though I didn’t hear Aretha sing.

Burning Spear headlined the 1996 Reggae on the Rocks. That whole day was magical, the epitome of the love and togetherness that can only be found at Red Rocks. Burning Spear took the vibe to another level, I’ve been chasing that energy ever since. In fact, I attended the next 10 RORX shows, driving from Iowa, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and New Mexico for many of them.

My husband Edward and I had our first visit to Red Rocks in April of this year. We saw Ice Cube and we had an amazing time! Red Rocks is absolutely beautiful and we will be back in October to see Cypress Hill.

My wife was out of town for a week and told me not to be a lump while she was gone. She suggested I go to Red Rocks on the weekend and walk the bleachers. I did. I saw a group of people exercising and thought it looked like fun. Maybe I could join them sometime, I thought. When I got home, I searched the internet to figure out who the group was. I saw that they were a free group that meets every Sunday, and I decided to give them a try. That was eleven years ago, and I’ve hardly missed a Sunday since.

Best in the world concert experience!

On July 1st, 1983, I took a date to Red Rocks to see Flock of Seagulls, The Fixx, and Howard Jones. I had no idea if she liked any of the bands and come to find out she knew nothing about them. She had never been to Red Rocks. I had, and it is one of my favorite venues to see a show for countless reasons. Kathy and I have been married now for 42 years. We have enjoyed so many shows there. Our children have grown up with a love for Red Rocks and I am sure our grandchildren will also have love for Red Rocks. Every time I hear those three artists, it takes me to a great place and how great my life became that night at Red Rocks.

My sister moved to CO in the late 1970’s. She kept raving about Red Rocks. So when I planned to visit her in May 1987, I asked her to please get tickets to ANY show at Red Rocks since I wanted to experience this magical and serene venue. We were able to see Bruce Hornsby and the Range and I was sold. I couldn’t wait to move to CO and take full advantage of being able to attend concerts at Red Rocks!