Mile High Music: International Acts, New Festivals Fill Denver's Concert Schedule This Summer

"Live music really thrives here – there are concerts almost nightly, and, in any given part of the city, you will be able to catch a show," says Richard Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER. "Because Denver is the biggest city between Chicago and the west coast, we are fortunate to have many national and international acts play at some of our iconic venues like Red Rocks and our more intimate theaters. The creative nature of the city also fosters some incredible local talent that is not to be missed on any visit."

This summer boasts original annual events like the Underground Music Showcase and the Red Rocks Summer Concert Series, as well as brand new blockbuster events like the Velorama Colorado festival and new venues like the Levitt Pavilion, and there will even be a concert at Coors Field, home of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. Below are some of the best ways to experience live music this summer in Denver – for more information on schedules, tickets, special events and hotel deals, go to the VISIT DENVER website.

1) Summer-long Series
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is a world-famous outdoor concert and recreation venue located approximately 30 minutes from Denver. The only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world, Red Rocks is recognized for its star-studded concert roster and ambience, as well as its awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails. Headliners for the 2017 Red Rocks Summer Concert Series include Chris Stapleton, Paul Simon, Widespread Panic, Miranda Lambert, Lauryn Hill and more. In addition to concerts, the venue also hosts comedy shows, with 2017 headliners such as Dave Chapelle, and a Film on the Rocks series, featuring cult classic films.

The brand-new Levitt Pavilion in Ruby Hill opens on June 21. The venue boasts an innovative bandshell with a modern design at the base of a 75,000 square foot grass bowl; and it will feature a number of free and ticketed events during its first summer concert series. Two original UB40 members, Ali Astro & Mickey, will play on June 21 with Matisyahu and Raging Fyah. The summer lineup also includes 311 and Josh Abbott Band, with more to be announced as the venue opens.

Denver Botanic Gardens also features a summer concert series, Fiddler's Green hosts headliners all summer long and City Park offers free weekly jazz concerts on Sundays. For a list of outdoor concerts and venues, go to the VISIT DENVER Summer Concert Page.

2) Featured Festivals
New this year, from August 10-13, professional bike racing will return to the Centennial State with the new Colorado Classic & Velorama Colorado Festival, a four-day series of races that will bring together top international men and women cyclists. The multi-day Denver finale, August 11-13, will include a street party spanning more than 12 city blocks. The aptly-named Velorama Colorado will feature live music – including headliners Wilco and Death Cab for Cutie – a bike expo with 150 exhibitors, food, craft beer and various cycling events in the River North Art District (RiNo). It will be coupled with an expanded Denver Flea highlighting nearly 200 artisan vendors. 

The Underground Music Showcase (UMS), an annual Denver favorite, takes place July 27-30 at more than 15 different venues and stages along South Broadway and features more than 400 local and national acts. Having grown from just 300 attendees and four bands at one theater, UMS is one of the best ways to experience Denver's incredible live music scene. This year's headliners include Benjamin Booker, Zola Jesus and Esme Patterson, along with local favorites The Yawpers, The Oh Sees, San Fermin, Lee Fields & The Expressions and more.

Denver PrideFest in Civic Center Park is recognized as one of the top ten pride events in the country. Saturday, June 17, features activities and entertainment for kids, adults and pets. On Sunday, June 18, the annual Coors Light PrideFest Parade makes its way down Colfax Avenue to Civic Center Park, ending in a full-day of festivities, including live music and performances on three stages with headliners like Jennifer Holliday, A.B. Soto and DJ Dave Audé.

3) One Night Only – National and World Tour Stops

Zac Brown Band at Coors Field, July 29
Two years after their historic performance at Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, Zac Brown Band will once again take the field for a live summer concert as part of their national Welcome Home tour.

Guns N' Roses at Sports Authority Field, August 2
Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver will be the third stop for the Guns N' Roses Not In This Lifetime tour. Lead singer Axl Rose reunited with three other original band members – guitarist Slash, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and bass player Duff McKagan – to create a reunion tour that became 2016's most successful rock tour.

Justin Bieber at Sports Authority Field, August 12
Bieber will be coming to Denver's Sports Authority Field at Mile High as part of his wildly successful Purpose World Tour. Since the North American launch of the tour in March 2016, Bieber has sold out 64 U.S. and 52 international tour dates, thrilling fans around the world with a dynamic, must-see live show.

Ed Sheeran at Pepsi Center, August 15
Following the debut of Ed Sheeran's newest album, Divide, the Grammy Award-winning artist announced an international tour – including a stop at Denver's Pepsi Center.

4) Don't Stop the Music
For more on Denver's live music scene, including a rundown of hot local acts, shows at historic theaters, special events and a full music calendar, go to Visit Denver's Music and Nightlife Page.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating 108 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. A record 16.4 million visitors stayed overnight in Denver in 2015, generating $5 billion in spending, while supporting nearly 55,000 jobs, making Tourism one of the largest industries in Denver. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER or by phone at 800 2 Denver. Denver International Airport (DEN; flydenver.com) connects The Mile High City to more than 180 destinations worldwide including nonstop service to 23 international destinations in 9 countries. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates at: Facebook.com/visitdenver; Twitter.com/visitdenver; Instagram.com/visitdenver; and YouTube.com/visitdenver.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:
Jesse Davis: (303) 571-9450 or [email protected]
Ashley Taufen: (303) 571-9451 or [email protected]
Rochelle Jones: (303) 571-9418 or [email protected]

SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau

Related Links

http://www.visitdenver.com