A few of our favorite Red Rocks shows

Red Rocks season is upon us! The weather is warmer, the days are getting longer, and so if you’re at all like us, you’ve been finalizing your summer concert plans.

We recently published a list of all the 2025 Red Rocks live music shows, which we’re updating regularly as events get added. And for further inspiration, members of The Colorado Sound staff now share some of the favorite Red Rocks shows they’ve seen in recent years.

Ben

The Strokes – August, 2023

This was by far the most crowded I have seen Red Rocks. I was stuck behind the trees for the first half of the show, thankfully the woman next to me got up and moved. Why did she do that? Not my problem, she gave up great seats and I could fully enjoy the amazing show. I still can’t get over how many people were at the show… actually, I can it’s the Strokes!

Brandi Carlile – September, 2024

The conditions of this show were set up to be a disaster – it was cold, windy, and rainy. However, it turned out to be a magical night. Brandi’s voice was incredible, and the acoustics couldn’t have sounded better. The rain added an extra touch of awesomeness as we all watched Brandi sing her heart out.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – June, 2023

This was probably the loudest Red Rocks show I have seen. I swear you could hear it in Colorado Springs. Karen O is a fantastic front woman and literally puts her body on the line for a show. She’s moving nonstop – jumping, spinning, twirling from end to end of the stage the entire concert. The energy was electric…and did I mention it was loud?

Ron

Lyle Lovett – August, 1995

Bring in Colorado for as long as I have, it’s hard to pick a fave Red Rocks experience. Maybe seeing the majesty of it all for the very first time with Crosby, Stills & Nash in August of 1990? Or when Van Morrison did his exactly 90-minute show in June of 2005 and was out the back door at 9:10pm? Or Neil Young in the pouring rain that became the Friends + Relatives DVD?

Nah, I gotta pick Lyle Lovett on Aug. 9, 1995. Lights go to half, and Lyle and cellist John Hagen solemnly play “Friend of the Devil,” as Jerry Garcia had just passed that morning. The full moon coming up behind them made the moment…magical.

Kurt

David Byrne – August, 2018

Before Byrne and his band took the stage, a crew came out and carefully swept the floor. It felt like a cleansing of the space – but as soon as the band came out, all barefoot, it made perfect sense. No elaborate sets, risers, or visible cables, either – the musicians all moved freely in beautifully choreographed movements. What a night – the sky was clear, temperatures warm, and the music was incredible, a mix of Byrne’s solo work and songs from his Talking Heads days.

Stacy

I’ve forgotten more shows than I remember, but here are a few highlights:

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – June, 2008

It was the Raising Sand tour – such a beautiful day and superb musicianship.

Gorillaz – September, 2017

A special appearance from De La Soul in the pouring rain made for a surreal show.

Odesza – June, 2018

One of the most stunning visual shows with NASA footage from space.

Beck – September, 2018

The hits, a Chemical Brothers cover, Jenny Lewis, and a full moon – yes please!

Kama

Tom Petty – May, 2001

This was my first concert at Red Rocks. Looking back at the ticket, I paid $55 to see legendary Tom Petty at the legendary Red Rocks. I remember my friend and I singing along to every song, because this was the music we listened to at the lake in our teens. We also made the classic mistake of showing up on time, which resulted in a memorable hike to the venue.

Coldplay – June, 2003

The first time I saw Coldplay was at the Fox Theatre in Boulder when “Yellow” had just come out. Getting to see them a few years later at Red Rocks was like watching a plant bloom. My ticket said “rain or shine,” and the rain came and poured and poured, and yet no one seemed to leave. It was magical.

Brandi Carlile – July, 2012

It had been a while since I visited Red Rocks, and I almost didn’t go to this one. As an uber-fan, I had seen more shows with Brandi Carlile than any other artist, but I had 2-month-old twins at home. After much planning and hesitation, I was there to witness Brandi in complete “aah” as she headlined her first show at Red Rocks.

Dawn

Counting Crows – Sept., 1997

My first concert at Red Rocks! I remember we had seats way at the top and couldn’t see the band well, but we could see the city, and while seeing the band is obviously the objective, seeing the lights of Denver shine is always a highlight for me at any Red Rocks show.

My Morning Jacket – Aug., 2008

This is always on my list of top 10 Red Rocks shows. And while I’m not a fan of the never-ending song, somehow when MMJ does it, it’s all good. I remember the pure musicianship and beautiful sound of the band, certainly not the guy I was with, who really just used me for a ride to the show.

Tedeschi Trucks Band with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – Sept., 2015

On our way to this show, Sharon Jones came on the radio, and my friend Jean said, “I’d really like to see her live someday” – clearly not knowing we were on on our way to do just that! Sharon’s set was interrupted by a huge rain storm, so huge that I read later an entire deer carcass had slid down the stairs of the venue. Once the rain stopped, most of the people had left, so we walked down to the front and saw two of the most amazing performances of our lives. Glad I missed the deer carcass though!