Rocking Out in the Great Outdoors
The Summer Concert Season in Denver
Summertime in Denver is all about the outdoors. Denverites spend these months doing their best to enjoy the plentiful sunshine and copious fresh air -- hiking, biking, sunbathing, and of course, enjoying a host of live music extravaganzas. The city and surrounding areas are packed with places to see a wide array of musical talents under the sun and stars. As you'll see below, 2009 is the Mile High City's biggest year yet for rocking out in the great outdoors.
Red Rocks Summer Concert Series
www.redrocksonline.com
May through September
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
No summer in Denver is complete without at least one -- or two or five -- trips out to the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Amphitheatre, just 15 miles from downtown Denver. 70 million years in the making, the 9,450-seat venue is flanked by enormous 300-foot red sandstone rock formations and always boasts star-studded musical schedule. This year is no exception, with kiwi comedy folk-duo Flight of the Conchords (May 16), the legendary Leonard Cohen (June 2), former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne with Denver faves DeVotchKa (June 20) and synth-pop band Depeche Mode (August 27) being just a few of the big names rocking Red Rocks this summer. Check the website for full details and tickets.
Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series
http://concerts.botanicgardens.org
June through August
Denver Botanic Gardens, CO
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a lush oasis located in the heart of the Mile High City, with hundreds of rare and lovely species of plants populating the grounds. But its also home to a stellar summer concert series. The lawns surrounding the stage are general admission -- bring a blanket or lawn chair along with a bottle of wine and a picnic dinner and enjoy the great music in an unparalleled setting. A word to the wise: virtually all Botanic Gardens concerts sell out -- so get your tickets early!
City Park Jazz
www.cityparkjazz.org
Every Sunday night, June 1 through August 3, starting at 6:00 p.m.
City Park, Denver, CO
Every Sunday night in June and July, the City Park Bandstand and Pavilion turns into a swinging, open-air jazz club as music lovers of all ages congregate for City Park Jazz. Bring a blanket or folding chair -- but be prepared to spend plenty of time on your feet, too. City Park Jazz encourages dancing! Did we mention these concerts are free?
Audio Picnic - Skyline Park Summer Concert Series
www.denvergov.org/HomePage/tabid/426214/Default.aspx
Skyline Park, Denver, CO
June through August
As you check out the shopping and dining options on the 16th Street Mall, you may hear the sound of live music emanating from the adjacent Skyline Park. If so, you've stumbled upon the Audio Picnic, a free lunch-hour concert series held every Friday June through August around noon. It's a perfect way to enjoy a sunny summer afternoon in Downtown Denver. Check the website for a list of performers.
Live from Elway's Backyard
www.elways.com
Elway's (Cherry Creek location at 2500 E. 1st Ave., Denver, CO)
Every Friday, June 11 through August 13
The "backyard" patio next to Elway's Cherry Creek location transforms into a hip and happening open-air music venue every Friday night in the summer. Great food, fun drinks and a lively crowd are all guaranteed. The backyard opens at 5 p.m. and the bands play from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Mix, mingle and rock out!
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre Summer Concerts
www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/394
June through September
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, Greenwood Village, CO
In maritime terms, a "fiddler's green" refers to a sailor's heaven that's a place "of wine and song." And that's just what Greenwood Village's Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre offers in the summer months, with an exciting and diverse schedule of performers in a classic open-air setting. This year's lineup includes NIne Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction (May 26), No Doubt (May 27), Rod Stewart (July 30) and Nickelback (Aug. 25).
Denver Vans Warped Tour
www.warpedtour.com
8/9/09
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Invesco Field at Mile High is the home of Denver's beloved Broncos, but for one day this summer, it'll transform into the home of punk rock, as the Vans Warped Tour sets up camp for what is sure to be a highlight of the summer concert season. Dozens upon dozens of bands, from million-selling acts to just-out-of-garage up-and-comers, will play on multiple stages. Bring the earplugs -- this one's going to be LOUD.
Confluence Concerts
www.greenwayfoundation.org
Thursdays in July
Confluence Park, Denver, CO (at 15th and Little Raven)
Nothing beats a cool summer evening kicking back in Confluence Park with some great free live music as the soundtrack. Every Thursday in July at 6:30 p.m., some of the Mile High City's best musicians set up shop along the banks of the river and jam the night away.
Rock Bottom Brewery Patio Concerts
www.rockbottom.com
Fridays, May through August
The Rock Bottom Brewery is located right on the 16th Street Mall (between Champa and Lawrence Sts.) and offers a weekly happy hour concert series on its sunny patio. Sit back with one of the brewery's famed handcrafted ales and enjoy some great live music!
Latino Rhythms
www.denvergov.org/HomePage/LatinoRhythms/tabid/426710/Default.aspx
7/18/09
Sloan's Lake, Denver, CO
Get your required dose of Latino music and dancing at Sloan's Lake in the Highlands neighborhood during the annual Latino Rhythms festival. The entire 177-acre park will be filled with spicy foods, delicious drinks and vendors selling one of a kind items -- not to mention all varieties of music, from traditional mariachi to contemporary pop to hip hop. This is one fiesta you don't want to miss!
Mile High Music Festival
www.milehighmusicfestival.com
7/18/09 & 7/19/09
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver, CO
In the tradition of such popular (and enormous) music festivals as Coachella and Bonnaroo, the first annual Mile High Music Festival will celebrate with a lineup jam-packed with stars, including Tool, Widespread Panic and The Fray. But the big names are only part of what's great about this festival. Attendees will also get a chance to check out some of the best local Denver acts, not to mention some of the coolest national bands. The two-day festival is the largest event of its kind ever held in the Denver Metro Area, and marks the first outdoor festival held at the Outer Fields of Dick's Sporting Goods Park, a location boasting immaculate lawns and spectacular views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountain Front Range. Concertgoers will enjoy the music and much more, with a wide range of cuisines to choose from, offered by Denver's most popular restaurants. An artists' village, including an extensive exhibit of local arts and crafts, will be another highlight of the festival. Get ticket information and updates at the festival website.
Monolith Music Festival
www.monolithfestival.com
September TBA
Last year's second annual Monolith Music Festival was a blast, featuring the hippest bands on the scene, and this year's lineup is sure to continue the tradition. Held over two days and two nights at Red Rocks, Monolith's lineup is still in the works. But with multiple stages, a wide array of food and drink and thousands of fellow music lovers, you can't go wrong at Monolith. Check the website for a full schedule and ticket info.
Discover more Denver events at www.Denver365.com!