Anybody been to Red Rocks?

[The Dude]

Just a couple of weeks away from visiting a great venue, and seeing one of my favorites...LEVON HELM!!! Can't wait. Gonna see 311 and Ziggy Marley the first night, and then John Prine and Levon the next. Should be amazing. For those of you that have been, any suggestions on things to do in the area, places to eat, etc. Gonna be a short trip, but entertaining.

[jazzjones]

I visited once many years ago, and was blown away by how beautiful it was. Sadly, during my one visit to Colo I didn't get a chance to see a show at Red Rocks.

I'm envious.


Just a couple of weeks away from visiting a great venue, and seeing one of my favorites...LEVON HELM!!! Can't wait. Gonna see 311 and Ziggy Marley the first night, and then John Prine and Levon the next. Should be amazing. For those of you that have been, any suggestions on things to do in the area, places to eat, etc. Gonna be a short trip, but entertaining.

[McGregor]

I've been 7-8 times, beautiful venue.

One word of advice. If it's a GA show, it's worth going into the venue early b/c the sound can be a bit muffled around half way up due to wind.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vz62ilZ3X-I/ScBth_vgfWI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/zf5kD2ecbuE/s400/Red+Rocks+Amphitheater+1.jpg

I usually hit up the Morrison Inn for some drinks beforehand (mexican), pretty good.
http://www.denverpost.com/bars/ci_0001436094

[MormonMatthew]

I have had some amazing times at Red Rocks, one of the world's great music venues........

1st time I went it was an all day festival with Keb Mo, The Radiators, Taj Mahal and George Clinton and P-Funk. (and yes, it was every bit as wild as it sounds)

Since then I have been back several times including Van Morrison, Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic with the Neville Brothers and Galactic, and CSNY.........

It's about a 45 min. drive from downtown Denver, though there are several hotels right in Morrison, as well as a couple of joints to eat and drink at.

Tailgaiting is big at Red Rocks, people seem to go all out with gourmet food and fully stocked bars on the hood of thier cars, which is kinda cool.

Bring a jacket, as it can get chilly at night even during the summer.

Beer is sold in venue, but it's not cheap and there can be long lines at the stands; a few mini-bottles or a flask of your favorite label is a smart investment, and a good way to make friends with those sitting next to you, who typically have thier own goodies to share. (I have a few stories I could relate about communally shared supplementals and Norwegian supermodels)

You are in for a great weekend at a awe inspiring setting---Have a blast!!!

Matthew

[Phatpapa]

That's great Dude

I've probably seen close to 50 concerts, movies, comics, and it never, ever gets old. I believe this show is actually reserved seating as are a lot of the shows at RR. But if it is GA, I would heed McGregor's advice and get there early and try to park in the very upper lot because it's the closest to the gates and get a seat down low. They allow tailgating too and that's always fun if you have the time. I would also recommend checking out the welcome center at the top of the venue. A lot of pics and info of acts that have played there. Bring a camera if they are allowed (some bands dont mind) and $$ for beverages as they are a tad pricey.

Have fun. You will have a blast

[McGregor]

These items are permitted

Please feel free to bring the following items into Red Rocks Amphitheatre:

• Non-alcoholic beverages in factory sealed plastic containers (some shows may require the removal of lids upon entering the amphitheatere.)• Empty soft-sided water bottles
• Coolers 12” x 17” x 12” and smaller (must fit under designated seat)
• Cloth bags, soft packs 12” x 17” x 12” (must fit under designated seat)
• Food (fruit, vegetables must be sliced)
• Binoculars
• Seat cushions/soft side seat backs under 18” wide (no items with legs permitted)
• Small, compact umbrellas (24 inches maximum) Ponchos are preferred
• Small, personal cameras (unless prohibited by show)
• Strollers (folding umbrella style only)
• All personal possessions must fit under the patron’s designated seat

There's a store at the bottom of the hill that sells factory sealed tops still intact that you can put back on containers that you've added booze too. He has a bowl of about 100 of them at his house. He was worried they would make the guy stop selling them, pretty funny. I can't recall the name of the store but it's right down from the Morrison Inn. I always thought that was great.

[festbabe]

..

...(I have a few stories I could relate about communally shared supplementals and Norwegian supermodels)

..

Oh?

[McGregor]

I have a few stories I could relate about communally shared supplementals
I saw Leftover Salmon > Dirty Dozen > Widespread there for a couple of shows in '99 and after Leftover's set, they all came onto my row (lucky me) about twenty rows up and started passing out goodies for everyone to partake in, twas a good day!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Best venue for music!!!

[revjimk]

Red Rocks is terrific... some of the happiest moments of my life (Stevie Ray!!!!)
For cheap camping, try Chief Hosa campground (a tradition)
rev

[Phatpapa]

Best venue for music!!!

Absolutely, IMO

Red Rocks is terrific... some of the happiest moments of my life (Stevie Ray!!!!)
For cheap camping, try Chief Hosa campground (a tradition)
rev


Unfortunately, Chief Hosa has been closed the past few years :(

[PaulC]

I believe this show is actually reserved seating as are a lot of the shows at RR. But if it is GA, I would heed McGregor's advice and get there early and try to park in the very upper lot because it's the closest to the gates and get a seat down low. They allow tailgating too and that's always fun if you have the time. I would also recommend checking out the welcome center at the top of the venue. A lot of pics and info of acts that have played there.

it appears to be ga in the lower and upper sections and reserved in the middle,.. if that makes any sense...

was hopin' to make it out there for the mountainside mardi gras thing you alerted us to,.. but had to almost immediately switch gears to accommodate the far better half and her desire to attend her 30th reunion...

i knew robbin' the cradle would come back to haunt me someday.... :rolleyes:

[guitartech]

Red rocks is the best. Great staff, great location, great food in catering....
There's a tunnel that runs from under the stage out to the front of house position. You should see all the signatures in there..EVERYBODY...

Right after doors opened.
http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww244/guitartech92/100_0293.jpg

My best side...
http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww244/guitartech92/100_0289.jpg


My "guitar world" work area under the awning.

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww244/guitartech92/100_0302.jpg


Some quick guitar surgery.

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww244/guitartech92/100_0298.jpg

[VWGal]

Crap! Another musical experience to add to my long long bucket list! Gorgeous place!

[Corona]

omg, that looks friggin amazing!

[bird33]

We went last year to see My Morning Jacket and the Black Keys on ur way West to the Outside Lands Festival, best layover I have ever had!



http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv6/bird3321/MMredrocks.jpg

[MormonMatthew]

Remember, I still have an extra ticket to the 1st Annual Red Rocks Mountainside Mardi Gras show, (Aug. 8th---George Porter and Runnin' Pardners, Dr. John, Dirty Dozen, Trombone Shorty, Dumpstaphunk) if any of you want to experience first-hand the sublime majesty of an evening spent at Red Rocks, which as you can see from the photos, is indeed a fine place to do some serious Crescent City Jiggin'.........

I will meet up with Phatpapa and his Krewe, and Voodoohead has mentioned he will also be flying out, so you dont need to feel obligated to babysit this wayward Mormon, as there wil be plenty of "normal" people to hang with!!!

Seriously, if anyone wants my extra, it's yours for the cost of a (1) draft Abita, which will be for sale at the show. You all have been so generous with your kindness over the years, its my way of saying thanks; I just wish I had the means to offer tickets to everyone, but the good folks at American Express dont seem to think thats such a good idea.......

Matthew

[Corona]

lol Matthew! That's VERY cool! Looks like that's going to be an amazing show!

[Phatpapa]

Yo, Dude. Where y'at? The Denver Post gave the Prine/Helm show a raving review. What did you think of the whole experience?

Guitartech,
After a Widespread show one eve, I mozied on over to the soundboard and ducked under and took the tunnel and ended up on stage. As I was watching all the peeps file out, a stage worker asked me if I should be up there. I politely said no that I was checking out the scene. He was way cool about it and let me chill for about 5 minutes. Very, very cool :cool:

[swampwoman]

Unfortunately, Chief Hosa has been closed the past few years :(
Chatfield State Park is one of the closest to Red Rocks if you want to camp

http://parks.state.co.us/parks/chatfield/

There are several parking lots that are staggered at Red Rocks, so park at either the middle or upper lot - if you park at the bottom of the hill you will do a lot of climbing

Bring a blanket to sit on

Looking for a cool place to check out before the show, Cactus Jack's Saloon in Evergreen, CO is awesome

http://cactusjacksaloon.com/

You are close to Denver, so that is an option to head downtown - Sanchez's Broken Arrow and the other bars in that family are cool to check out and have live music

http://www.quixotes.com/

Also check out the music schedule for the Fillmore and the Fox Theater in Boulder

[Meters Fan]

Friends and I went to see the Dead there in 84. After the 66 VW bus crested the continental divide in 1st gear we cruised on down tot he venue getting there mid way through the first set and just in time for a storm of biblical proportions! Huge flashes of lightning, pouring rain. I've never seen Parish and the boys move so fast slapping tarps over everything.

Bring warm clothes, prepare for rain, smuggle in your own booze and have a great time!

[The Dude]

For those wanting to know....the show with Prine and Levon was AWESOME!! It was a true treat to see one of my musical heroes Levon Helm. First time I saw Prine and was blown away by his set...will definitely see him anytime he comes around.

I posted some video earlier.

The venue is without a doubt the best I've ever been to. Will be hard to beat it. I hear the Gorge is pretty amazing, but man the beauty of red rocks is simply breath taking. I will go back.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2250/dsc0133cqa.jpg
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/508/dsc0128w.jpg

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Dude---The Gorge IS a stuning concert venue, and it is right up there with Red Rocks, but as a whole I have to give the edge to the Rocks.......

Both have amazing natural settings, but besides that they are quite different; the Gorge is huge, holding at least 25,000 people, were as RR tops out at around 9,000.

The Gorge allows on-site camping, which can be a lot of fun, but is not for everyone.

Its been a couple of years since I was last at the Gorge, but something they started doing bothered me---While beer and wine is for sale in venue, they started making you drink it in a designated, roped off drinker corral, (which has no view of the stage) and would not allow you to bring your beer back to your seat with you. The first few times I was at the Gorge it was not like that, so I dont know if this is still the case or not..........
Of course Red Rocks allows you to bring your (overpriced) beer to your seat, like any civilized venue does.

Finally the biggest difference to me is access---While the Gorge is a 3 hour drive from downtown Seattle, which is a long haul after a day spent at a show, Red Rocks is only about a half an hour from the heart of Denver, so you have a million options for stuff to do after a Red Rocks gig. There is nothing around the Gorge but a small motel or two, a couple of gas stations and a couple of cafes. Anything for sale at these places will cost you twice what they would at an average convience store.

I am not saying the Gorge is not an amazing place for live music (in fact it is an excellent venue) but it is so remote from anywhere, (both Seattle and Portland at about 3 hours away) getting there is an all day affair. Red Rocks, by contrast, is just moments away from Denver, which gives you so many options for entertainment after a show.

In my opinion, Americas 3 best large outdoor concert venues are Red Rocks, The Gorge, and the wonderful Greek Theater in Berkeley; its hard to go wrong with any of these spots, and I have enjoyed some of the best times of my life at each of them...........

Now I am jonseing for a show, thankfully there is some great stuff coming to SLC throughout the summer!!!

Hope you ALL have a sun drenched, music filled summertime, Matthew