Navigation

Reader: Red Rocks Is Mecca to My Music-Loving Soul

Billboard named the Denver-owned amphitheatre as the most-attended outdoor venue in 2024. Readers explain why.
Image: crowd at outdoor amphitheater
King Gizzard packed the place in 2024. Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonxar)
Share this:
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

In its year-end wrapup for 2024, Billboard named Red Rocks Amphitheatre the most-attended outdoor venue in the U.S. and the most-attended amphitheater in the world. That's up from 2023, when Red Rocks ranked as the second-most-attended venue in the U.S., just behind Madison Square Garden.

Since officially opening in 1941, Red Rocks has become a destination for performers and music lovers alike, and Billboard reports that nearly 1.7 million ticket holders went there last year (along with a few space aliens, perhaps). The Denver-owned venue held more than 200 events in 2024 — 198 of them concerts.

In their comments on the Westword Facebook post of the Billboard story, most readers applaud Red Rocks and this latest accomplishment. Says Steve:
That's awesome. Best place ever to go to.
Replies Joe:
Crazy considering all I ever see on social media is boomers and others complaining that nobody they've ever heard of plays at Red Rocks anymore...
Adds Larry:
Seems like a lot of concerts for an outdoor arena in Colorado.
Notes Bryan:
Impressive since it hardly touches 10k seats.
Adds Phil: 
And winter.
Responds Joe:
 'Cuz it's fucking awesome.
Offers Laura:
It's a pain in the ass but so worth it.
Counters River:
Doesn't deserve it, worst venue in Denver. They have zero scalper protections so it's impossible to get tickets at an affordable price for what they're actually worth. They have an awful sound system that's atrocious-sounding if you're past the first few sections. GA gets absolutely fucked over. The strenuous hike up would be fine if they had decent accommodations, but their accessibility for disabled people is the real joke here. The *only* thing this venue has going for it is the view.
Adds Jeff:
Coincidentally, they ranked near the bottom of number of parking spots available. Parking on Highway 93 and hiking three miles cross country to the venue SUCKS! Especially in the dark!
Responds Joanne:
I love Red Rocks, great venue, great music!!
Concludes Michael:
That place is fuckin' Mecca to my music soul.
What do you think about Red Rocks? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].