Project 70 Is Denver's Newest Music Venue...and It's Under a Bridge

Denver may be mourning the loss of such music activations as Five Points Jazz Fest and Underground Music Showcase, but new projects are emerging that show innovation is still thriving here.

On September 30, AEG will debut its new pop-up venue, Project 70, with Turnstile, Mannequin Pussy, Speed and Jane Remover. The venue will come alive again on October 4 with a decidedly different show, this time bringing a rave with drum-and-bass producers Chase & Status.

The pop-up, which will be located under the I-25 overpass at 46th and Humboldt Street, was inspired by the Brooklyn venue Under the K, says Don Strasburg, co-president of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains. "But even before I had known about Under the K, I always thought that it would be a really neat environment to actually do a show underneath the highway," he says. "Once Under the K came into existence and was received super well, the team went back to evaluate the opportunities under the bridge, and that was the inception of this concept."
Project 70 will have a capacity of 10,000, and a bespoke stage has been built that can be installed for shows, along with bars and other features. "One of the great things about the area is because it's more industrial and there's an impact of road noise, we're able to make a lot of noise ourselves," Strasburg says. "That's something that can be challenging in a city area. This area offers less limitations and more flexibility. And what's also super cool is there's weather protection," given that it's under a bridge.

Strasburg, who's been behind the creation of such venues as Mission Ballroom, says there "haven't been any significant roadblocks" in putting the venue together. "It's an unencumbered site, which enables us to activate it the way we envision it. ... These kinds of events get built more or less the week before the event," he says.

"This isn't a permanent venue that will live year-round," he continues. "This is a site that we are activating, that we will build bespoke events when the appropriate artist and us can come to an appropriate time period and date."

Right now, he says, "the focus is on executing the two great shows we have this year." As those concerts demonstrate, Project 70 isn't abiding by any genre limitations. "We're focused on these two different demographics and making sure that we over-deliver for the audience and the artist," Strasburg adds. "By doing that, everybody has a fabulous time. That experience will beget, hopefully, other artists wanting to come and taste the candy."

Such unique venues spark inspiration in both audiences and musicians. "We are really excited to bring these new creative experiences to our community," Strasburg concludes. "One of the joys of live music and the live experience is getting something new and different. Bringing the opportunity to explore new places to dance is our mission. We want to constantly evolve and create dynamic experiences for the entire community."

Learn more at project70underthebridge.com.