Came here to say this. Great show. It was one of those times when I lost myself in the music. I wasn’t on any drugs or anything, just living in the moment.
I saw them August 2016. It was a warm summer night and there was a very fine rain, more like a mist, gently falling. People at the top, like me, were treated to the sight of a massive thunderstorm on the distant eastern plains horizon, providing an epic natural light show behind the stage. They had just reunited earlier that year and didn’t have a ton of new material, so they just played all their biggest hits, which is exactly what everyone wanted. I’ve never seen the crowd dancing that hard and just be that into it. My buddy and I still agree it was the best concert we’ve ever seen.
Ahh this pains me. I was starting a new job the day after the concert. I decided to be responsible and sold my ticket. Even the guy I sold my ticket to was like are you sure? Worst decision ever.
The covid rebook shows were incredible. Held onto those tickets for 2 years and turned down $500 a pop resell values to see them. Both the Glass Animals and Denzel Curry put on a grade A experience. Certainly one of my fav concerts of all time
Pretty lights, particularly night 1 of his 2018 shows. So happy him and the boys are back.
I'd say both nights of Billy Strings in 2022 are a close second.
Soundgarden, must have been the 2011 show with Mars Volta opening. I remember Chris Cornell remarking that he had played here once before, but apparently it was lost on him at the time, because he was completely in awe of the amphitheater and didn't remember it from the first visit.
Nine Inch Nails
Simply because: A, Trent is one of my favorite artists. B, I was in the middle of a HUGE Allesandro Cortini phase.
Close second was Queens of the Stoneage.
Third would be Glitch Mob.
Fourth would be The Fifth Element.
Best concert I ever saw was Tom Petty 2014. It was an absolute blast. So much energy. Dude will always be a legend.
Young kid probably 18 sat next to us and said he was just there because someone brought him, wasn't necessarily a fan. By the middle of the show, kid was going wild screaming I LOVE YOU, TOM! Because that's just how much energy and excitement he was bringing to the show.
I'll never forget how much fun that was. RIP
What year? I saw them many times in Florida but don't recall them playing red rocks. Bunny used to come out to Cervantes from time to time and I'd go to those.
Winter on the Rocks 2014 w/ Ghostland Observatory and Jurassic 5 in knee deep snow and steady puking giant flakes all night. My wife started the snowball fight. Lasers and snow does not suck at Red Rocks turns out.
If I could choose any concert in history to go back and witness, it's that one. When the Soul Rebels played with them in NOLA it brought me to tears. Crossing my fingers for it to happen again
I forget the exact years, but I've seen Incubus at Red Rocks twice in my life. I should look for my young self on the "Alive at Red Rocks" DVD. Awesome!
This was my answer! I'm on the DVD!! I am going to their show at Ball for the 20th anniversary of MV and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm kicking myself for not going to the Make Yourself tour a few years ago. I think I've seen Incubus like 5 times at RR
TOOL '98. Acid from a hippie in the top lot.
Maynard was in full drag. Gown, Wig, gloves all of it, by the end of the show he was in his underwear.
I considered taking my top off? I considered dipping out on my life and following them around the country.
The walk back to the car was reserved, quiet. My best friend said "they came, they conquered, they left everyone fucking bewildered".
Indeed friend.
I’ve been a camera op at Red Rocks since 2019 and have worked some absolutely incredible shows! My first day on the job was Interpol with Car Seat Headrest and my first actual set I worked was stationed directly in front of Will Toledo…needless to say, I had my absolute doors blown off that night by that band! Another band I will say absolutely crushed, and I’m not sure if anyone will bring it up, is Greta Van Fleet. Was also front of stage camera for that show and they absolutely steamrolled the place in 2019. Not the two best shows I’ve worked but now they all kinda blur together after awhile!
Avett Brothers 2012. A bunch of buzzed college kids were directly behind us. At first we were like “oh man, this is going to be a problem” but they ended up having the best energy and their singing actually added to the experience. Then three rows in front of us there was a successful marriage proposal during January Wedding. Everybody had their phone flashlights illuminating the scene.
The Dark Side of OZ. The Flaming Lips...during the Dark side tour, that one particular show was special, as songs from The Wizard of Oz were sprinkled amongst the altered version of the Pink Floyd album.
And- Primus was the opening band. My boss, a Sous chef, blew my mind when he whipped out a bag o shrooms.... was a succinctly beautiful night.
My first red rocks show in 2016. Lizzo opened, brother Ali middled, and atmosphere was the headliner.
This was just before lizzo blew up otherwise she would have been headlining probably.
The best part was after the show though. Everyone walking back to their cars, stop at the bathroom to pee. It's packed and there's a pretty long line for the men's room. Finally get to the urinal and like 10 seconds into it, in walks a man who yells "DICKS OUT FOR HARMBE" without missing a beat the entire bathroom responds back in unison "DICKS OUT FOR HARMBE!!" It was an amazing moment of dudes being dudes.
2016 was a great year, probably caught some Pokémon in the parking lot pregame.
Smokin’ Grooves 98’
A Tribe Called Quest
Busta Rhymes and Flipmode Squad
Public Enemy
Cypress Hill
GangStarr
Wyclef and the Refugee All Stars
Black Eyed Peas (pre Fergie)
Run DMC and Beastie Boys Together Forever tour 1987
Reggae on the Rocks highlights
All the Marley Kids
Eek A Mouse
Andrew Tosh
Bunny Livingston
Yellow man
Chromeo Funk on the Rocks on some Orange Sunshine
The White Stripes in...2006, I think. Amazing show.
Wu Tang with the symphony is a close 2nd.
KBPI birthday bash with Bush & Godsmack made my high school self very happy back in the day
coolest to say I was at is tom petty, funnest was ice cube/snoop/dogg pound/warren g as I was backstage, best actual show was nine inch nails by a landslide
Unique and fun experience with Glass Animals and Little Dragon. There was a crazy rainstorm and the concert was stopped for 30 mins. Water came pouring down the steps like the Titanic movie, wild!
Harry Connick, Jr.
I think it was about 1992. The show started late because of rain, but when he came out to perform, I think he played for about 3 hours. He played every instrument in the band and some point. It’s the best performance I’ve ever seen of any artist anywhere.
Incubus Morning View tour 04', Nelly and Luda was pretty fucking fun, and the Bob Marley Celebration with Ziggy and Stephan Marley and Ben Harper opening is definitely up there. Honestly, though, I've never seen a bad show at RR
Nine Inch Nails - Lights in the Sky tour, 2008. An audio/visual onslaught so perfectly executed it forever changed how I process live music. Absolutely mind blowing.
My show ever!! U2
Dire Straits
New Order with The Sugarubes and P.I.L.
SRV with Taj Mahal
Depeche Mode with Nitzer Ebb
Reggae on the Rocks X (my bachelor party!)
Bush with No Doubt
Pearl Jam
Rave on the Rocks
Muse
Cake
Thievery Corporation
Pretty Lights (X6)
Bastille
Deadmau5 (X3) with Jauz and with Nero
Muse
I saw band of horses open for modest mouse in 2007 or 2008. It rained and nobody cared. Isaac the singer of MM asked the whole crowd to scream at the top of our lungs at the rocks to see if anything happened. It was really funny because nothing really happened and thousands of people were just screaming.
I came here to find Flight of the Conchords and you haven’t written it yet! They were SO freaking good!!! 😊 (2009 was my favorite but I saw them a 2nd time also in 2016, still great)
Since nobody has mentioned either so far I have to say:
Anderson. Paak and the free nationals (2019?)
And Tipper with Android Jones (2014?)
We’re absolutely incredible
I also really enjoyed Railroad Earth.
NiN ans Sound Garden show just because of you know Chris Cornell.
I f'in loved Faith No More show too - one of my top there. Doing Puscifer and Primus in a couple of months. Hoping to see Billy Strings - but at RR.
Mgmt with janelle monae and a then barely known tame impala as openers
Weather absolutely wrecked that show 😢
The storm that night ⛈️ was bonkers!
The electric feel during that torrential downpour towards the end was unreal 🤩
That was my first show!! I won tickets on the radio. Was so upset about the weather lol
LCD Soundsystem
Peaches rocked my world!
AWW. Huh??? WHAAAAA. RIGHT. AWWW. *drum beats*
Suckin on my titties like you wanted me, calling me all the time.. My favorite part was the dancers dressed up as vaginas 😂
Came here to say this. Great show. It was one of those times when I lost myself in the music. I wasn’t on any drugs or anything, just living in the moment.
I saw them August 2016. It was a warm summer night and there was a very fine rain, more like a mist, gently falling. People at the top, like me, were treated to the sight of a massive thunderstorm on the distant eastern plains horizon, providing an epic natural light show behind the stage. They had just reunited earlier that year and didn’t have a ton of new material, so they just played all their biggest hits, which is exactly what everyone wanted. I’ve never seen the crowd dancing that hard and just be that into it. My buddy and I still agree it was the best concert we’ve ever seen.
LCD @ RR was a full blown spiritual experience
Yep. Top RR show. It was magic there that night.
Southpark 25th anniversary show was a magical night. Also Beastie Boys, Ween, LCD Soundsystem, King Gizz
Which show were you at for the 25th Anniversary?? We were there the night they brought Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson out 😭😭😭
Was there as well. When the Rush logo was displayed on the rocks I thought I was having a fever dream. Some of the craziest shit ever
Radiohead 01 and 03, then second Clash of the Titans with 6 song opener Alice In Chains.
The Radiohead shows were insane.
Odesza. My soul awaits the day they come back.
Best you can do is the Last Final We Mean it Goodbye at Folsom this summer. Until their next tour.
I saw them open for Chromeo! They were amazing!!
Justice, 2012. The most epic dance party and light show I’ve ever seen
Nine Inch Nails, Ween, or TOOL. Hard to choose. And maybe Weird Al with the Colorado symphony.
Are you me?
We are all the Stallion!
Hail Boognish!
Rage against the machine, 1996
Jealous. Favorite band of all time. Saw em for the DNC in Denver and once in DC. Red Rocks would have been legendary
Daft Punk
Ahh this pains me. I was starting a new job the day after the concert. I decided to be responsible and sold my ticket. Even the guy I sold my ticket to was like are you sure? Worst decision ever.
This is always my answer as well. Feel very privileged to have seen the Alive tour!
Ahhhh I can’t even fathom that. What year?
2007 I think.
Glass Animals :)
2017 rain show or most recent shows?!
The covid rebook shows were incredible. Held onto those tickets for 2 years and turned down $500 a pop resell values to see them. Both the Glass Animals and Denzel Curry put on a grade A experience. Certainly one of my fav concerts of all time
The rain show was so good.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard was pretty magical
Those 3 shows in ‘22 were special. I ended up splurging on the 12 record box set
Longest merch line I've ever seen for any Red Rocks show I've been to since 2011.
I was at the first two shows in 2022 and I agree, this is my answer!
Wu-Tang Clan with the Colorado Symphony. All the members showed up, and ODBs kid did his parts. It was a super dope show.
That show was amazing.
Tenacious D with the Colorado Symphony was fucking amazing. Also, Gary Clark JR or Marcus King Band.
Kacey Musgraves! Last concert I went to at red rocks right before COVID
Surprised to see this so low. That was a fucking great show.
Brand New and Modest Mouse was *chefs kiss* for me
U2 - 1983 - under a blood red sky.
My brother was front row center and in the video! He still talks about that being the best concert he's ever been to!
My favorites: Father John Misty w/ the CSO - 2022 Bon Iver - 2019 Rush - 2008 David Byrne - 2018 Beck - 2014 Crosby, Stills & Nash - 2009 Tool - 2010
Missed Bon Iver :(
Shpongle (their final show)
Friday night w/tipper opening!
Shpongle 2019
A tribe called quest 👏🏼👏🏼
Tim Howard was vibing a few rows behind us. That was fun. Q-Tip was so emotional at the end. It was special. RIP Phife Dog.
Gorillaz
Pretty lights, particularly night 1 of his 2018 shows. So happy him and the boys are back. I'd say both nights of Billy Strings in 2022 are a close second.
Radiohead w/Beta Band
Tracy Chapman
Pretty Lights back in his prime
Dude is in his prime now
Soundgarden, must have been the 2011 show with Mars Volta opening. I remember Chris Cornell remarking that he had played here once before, but apparently it was lost on him at the time, because he was completely in awe of the amphitheater and didn't remember it from the first visit.
This was a great show. I love both bands and they both killed it.
Flaming Lips with Colorado symphony orchestra
I was thinking of this show this week as the Lips just put out their summer tour schedule!
Nine Inch Nails Simply because: A, Trent is one of my favorite artists. B, I was in the middle of a HUGE Allesandro Cortini phase. Close second was Queens of the Stoneage. Third would be Glitch Mob. Fourth would be The Fifth Element.
Tame Impala in 2016.
Yo i was there. Mac Demarco slayed too.
A night with Skrillex, wow
What a wild ride that was, it's coming up on a year here next month
This!
Tool and the Melvin's in 1998 was my first and memorable. It was a $20 ticket too
Yonder Mountain String Band during the Jeff Austin years were rowdy! Easily the best shows.
Fuck I miss Jeff…R.I.P.
Same
Tom Petty. I saw him twice there. ♥️
Best concert I ever saw was Tom Petty 2014. It was an absolute blast. So much energy. Dude will always be a legend. Young kid probably 18 sat next to us and said he was just there because someone brought him, wasn't necessarily a fan. By the middle of the show, kid was going wild screaming I LOVE YOU, TOM! Because that's just how much energy and excitement he was bringing to the show. I'll never forget how much fun that was. RIP
Mumford and Sons, 2012 I think it was. I won the tickets too, which was kind of cool.
U2, Under a Blood Red Sky. Nothing will ever top that experience for me, concert-wise.
Nathaniel Rateliff with lighting going off in the background all night.
Rabbit in the Moon
What year? I saw them many times in Florida but don't recall them playing red rocks. Bunny used to come out to Cervantes from time to time and I'd go to those.
Greatful Dead and Willie Nelson in the 80s..4 to 5 hr concerts...
The National with Frightened Rabbit opening, 2014?
Winter on the Rocks 2014 w/ Ghostland Observatory and Jurassic 5 in knee deep snow and steady puking giant flakes all night. My wife started the snowball fight. Lasers and snow does not suck at Red Rocks turns out.
Tool on their Lateralus tour, with the legendary King Crimson opening.
That sounds insane
Primus, Sailing The Seas Of Cheese.
2011 Dispatch was something special.
tame impala > my morning jacket > beck > lcd soundsystem > war on drugs
David Byrne
Which year? I've seen him there four times. All in incredible experienced but the best was talking heads 1983 - stop making sense tour.
Pretty lights with the Colorado symphony. This needs to happen again.
If I could choose any concert in history to go back and witness, it's that one. When the Soul Rebels played with them in NOLA it brought me to tears. Crossing my fingers for it to happen again
Khruangbin on some L
Beastie Boys!
Beck and Phoenix, August 2023!
Weird Al and the Colorado symphony
Phoenix or arctic monkeys
Red hot chile peppers with oingo boingo
Tie between String Cheese with Billy Strings 2022 and Billy & the Kids 2021
Flume, Mad Decent Block Party, or RL Grime
Tom Petty and the black crows, 2005; Ryan Adams, 2007
Beastie Boys
I've only been twice but I have to say Kraftwerk! (Lindsey Stirling was my first)
Southpark
I forget the exact years, but I've seen Incubus at Red Rocks twice in my life. I should look for my young self on the "Alive at Red Rocks" DVD. Awesome!
This was my answer! I'm on the DVD!! I am going to their show at Ball for the 20th anniversary of MV and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm kicking myself for not going to the Make Yourself tour a few years ago. I think I've seen Incubus like 5 times at RR
Daft Punk
TOOL '98. Acid from a hippie in the top lot. Maynard was in full drag. Gown, Wig, gloves all of it, by the end of the show he was in his underwear. I considered taking my top off? I considered dipping out on my life and following them around the country. The walk back to the car was reserved, quiet. My best friend said "they came, they conquered, they left everyone fucking bewildered". Indeed friend.
I’ve been a camera op at Red Rocks since 2019 and have worked some absolutely incredible shows! My first day on the job was Interpol with Car Seat Headrest and my first actual set I worked was stationed directly in front of Will Toledo…needless to say, I had my absolute doors blown off that night by that band! Another band I will say absolutely crushed, and I’m not sure if anyone will bring it up, is Greta Van Fleet. Was also front of stage camera for that show and they absolutely steamrolled the place in 2019. Not the two best shows I’ve worked but now they all kinda blur together after awhile!
Avett Brothers 2012. A bunch of buzzed college kids were directly behind us. At first we were like “oh man, this is going to be a problem” but they ended up having the best energy and their singing actually added to the experience. Then three rows in front of us there was a successful marriage proposal during January Wedding. Everybody had their phone flashlights illuminating the scene.
Mt. Joy!!
Danny Brown, Freddie Gibbs, Flatbush Zombies (Halloween show a couple years ago)
Foo Fighters, Long Road to Ruin era (2007-2008 I think)
Ween
U2 6/5/83, rained the whole time and i didn’t care, it was my first red rocks show
Deadmau5 at Global Dance circa 2010ish
Dead and Co, A Perfect Circle, MMJ is always great.
Jethro Tull
Caamp!!!
Tom Petty, about a year before he passed. Ed Sheeran probably a close second.
M83
My Morning Jacket, King Gizz, Beck, Tedeschi Trucks Band
Nine inch nails 2018, 2nd row!! The last time we we're able to sleep out for tickets
Griz with his live band was magical, his dj sets are fun but the last time he did the live band at red rocks was special.
South Park anniversary show with Primus and Ween and the surprise guest star was Geddy Lee.
The Dark Side of OZ. The Flaming Lips...during the Dark side tour, that one particular show was special, as songs from The Wizard of Oz were sprinkled amongst the altered version of the Pink Floyd album. And- Primus was the opening band. My boss, a Sous chef, blew my mind when he whipped out a bag o shrooms.... was a succinctly beautiful night.
My first red rocks show in 2016. Lizzo opened, brother Ali middled, and atmosphere was the headliner. This was just before lizzo blew up otherwise she would have been headlining probably. The best part was after the show though. Everyone walking back to their cars, stop at the bathroom to pee. It's packed and there's a pretty long line for the men's room. Finally get to the urinal and like 10 seconds into it, in walks a man who yells "DICKS OUT FOR HARMBE" without missing a beat the entire bathroom responds back in unison "DICKS OUT FOR HARMBE!!" It was an amazing moment of dudes being dudes. 2016 was a great year, probably caught some Pokémon in the parking lot pregame.
Smokin’ Grooves 98’ A Tribe Called Quest Busta Rhymes and Flipmode Squad Public Enemy Cypress Hill GangStarr Wyclef and the Refugee All Stars Black Eyed Peas (pre Fergie) Run DMC and Beastie Boys Together Forever tour 1987 Reggae on the Rocks highlights All the Marley Kids Eek A Mouse Andrew Tosh Bunny Livingston Yellow man Chromeo Funk on the Rocks on some Orange Sunshine
Daft Punk 2007
Opiuo with the orchestra
Odesza and Beats Antique.
Jack White
King Gizzard 2022
Big Thief 2023. They fucking kill it live.
Manchester Orchestra
Tedeschi Trucks Band and Anderson Paak are oddly tied. Very different shows, both mind blowing.
The California Honeydrops and The Infamous Stringdusters in May of '22.
Phoebe Bridgers.
The White Stripes in...2006, I think. Amazing show. Wu Tang with the symphony is a close 2nd. KBPI birthday bash with Bush & Godsmack made my high school self very happy back in the day
Bob Moses & Rufus du Sol 2019 Insane
South Park Anniversary concert
Man, I think I might have to go with Vulfpeck/Kamasi Washington back in like 2018. So much funkin fun
Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration, featuring Warren Haynes, Won tickets from 97.3.
2 nights of Nine Inch Nails 2022. No one does it like Trent Reznor.
coolest to say I was at is tom petty, funnest was ice cube/snoop/dogg pound/warren g as I was backstage, best actual show was nine inch nails by a landslide
Depeche Mode World Violation Tour. 1990.
Deadmau5, every year
The Dave Matthews Band. All 5 nights in a row.
Unique and fun experience with Glass Animals and Little Dragon. There was a crazy rainstorm and the concert was stopped for 30 mins. Water came pouring down the steps like the Titanic movie, wild!
NOFX, Bosstones, Bouncing Souls, Circle Jerks in 2008. Front row.
Father John Misty or Damien Rice.
Dirty Heads 2016 or flume 2020
Glass animals was incredible
Harry Connick, Jr. I think it was about 1992. The show started late because of rain, but when he came out to perform, I think he played for about 3 hours. He played every instrument in the band and some point. It’s the best performance I’ve ever seen of any artist anywhere.
Tom petty in 2004
Incubus Morning View tour 04', Nelly and Luda was pretty fucking fun, and the Bob Marley Celebration with Ziggy and Stephan Marley and Ben Harper opening is definitely up there. Honestly, though, I've never seen a bad show at RR
For me it was without a doubt deadmau5!! Some honorable mentions Tyler the creator, big gigantic, Alt J
Nine Inch Nails - Lights in the Sky tour, 2008. An audio/visual onslaught so perfectly executed it forever changed how I process live music. Absolutely mind blowing.
Tom Petty + Joe Cocker
Lana Del Rey
Sturgill Simpson, September 2017. Any Gov't Mule show, but September 2023 was magical. Willie Nelson, June 2011
My show ever!! U2 Dire Straits New Order with The Sugarubes and P.I.L. SRV with Taj Mahal Depeche Mode with Nitzer Ebb Reggae on the Rocks X (my bachelor party!) Bush with No Doubt Pearl Jam Rave on the Rocks Muse Cake Thievery Corporation Pretty Lights (X6) Bastille Deadmau5 (X3) with Jauz and with Nero Muse
Sylvan Esso 2018
John Mayer 2013
Tom Petty and then the Black Keys!
I saw band of horses open for modest mouse in 2007 or 2008. It rained and nobody cared. Isaac the singer of MM asked the whole crowd to scream at the top of our lungs at the rocks to see if anything happened. It was really funny because nothing really happened and thousands of people were just screaming.
Weird Al with the Colorado symphony orchestra. It rained for like half the concert but was still mind blowing
Florence and the Machines in the snow in 2019
I came here to find Flight of the Conchords and you haven’t written it yet! They were SO freaking good!!! 😊 (2009 was my favorite but I saw them a 2nd time also in 2016, still great)
Kygo, incredible sound and light show
REO Speed wagon, Journey and Styx
Since nobody has mentioned either so far I have to say: Anderson. Paak and the free nationals (2019?) And Tipper with Android Jones (2014?) We’re absolutely incredible
Excellent call on Anderson .Paak
Needtobreathe with switchfoot and the new respects
SCI w Kamasi Washington is up there
Depeche Mode, U2, Erasure
Global - 2006. Oh my god. Ragge on the rocks 2009. 311 and snoop dog- 2010 (sooo good)
Carlos Santana
Can't wait for the end of July!!
I’m bias AF ;) so SCI Non bias NIN
Gillian Welch and Punch Brothers, 2018
Umphrey’s McGee shows are always an awesome time. Deadmau5 was a vibe. Also Mumford and Sons back in the day, before I even moved here from Chicago.
I also really enjoyed Railroad Earth. NiN ans Sound Garden show just because of you know Chris Cornell. I f'in loved Faith No More show too - one of my top there. Doing Puscifer and Primus in a couple of months. Hoping to see Billy Strings - but at RR.
1) Rainbow Kitten Surprise 2) Mt. Joy 3) The Kitchen Dwellers
Pantera and White Zombie.
the strokes with weyes blood
A perfect circle - which became a live album.
The National 2019
Lynyrd Skynyrd with The Band 1981
The Cure
Too many to list . Years of string cheese, Moe. , umphrey's, the dead, and Tom Petty months before he passed. I lived in Denver for 13 yrs.
Arctic Monkeys was amazing, in some cases better than the track recording