When it comes to concerts in Colorado, summer is the prime season. Red Rocks Amphitheater is arguably one of the most iconic concert venues in the nation — maybe the world. Ford Amphitheater has taken its place among the Centennial State’s elite venues and leveled up the Colorado Springs live music scene, drawing big-name artists to its scenic luxury experience. And Dillon Amphitheater has become a top destination, drawing an impressive roster to its intimate lakeside bowl surrounded by incredible Summit County scenery. Both Ford and Dillon amphitheaters benefit from a Red Rocks spillover effect, with many artists booking back-to-back shows at two or all three of those venues.
Then there’s Fiddler’s Green, Empower Field at Mile High, Weidner Field, Ball Arena and all the other great Colorado concert venues. And we haven’t even mentioned Colorado’s classic summer music festivals like Telluride Bluegrass, RockyGrass and Jazz Aspen Snowmass — but that’s a whole different story.
Put it all together, and it’s a good time to be a live music fan in Colorado Springs. Whether you want to stay home and kick it beside a fire pit at Ford Amphitheater or make a short day trip or mountain getaway, here are some of the biggest and best concerts in Colorado this summer.
We’ve arranged them by venue. We’ve stuck to summer shows. And while some artists are playing multiple venues, we’ve only selected them for one spot on our list. Be sure to check each venue for the complete schedules, and don’t sleep on those tickets. Happy summer concert season!
Best Concerts in Colorado Springs
Ford Amphitheater
Fire pit suites and Pikes Peak views define the elevated concert experience in north Colorado Springs. Find the complete schedule at fordamphitheater.live.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, April 30
The soulful, brutally honest lyricist opens the Ford Amphitheater season with his Americana sonics.
Leon Bridges, May 22
The Grammy-winning king of the new soul style will follow that proverbial River into Colorado for a string of shows beginning at Ford.
The Black Keys, May 25
The genre-bending blue rockers will be Howlin’ for You with electric soul. The hypnotic Latin instrumentation of the Hermanos Gutiérrez will be an excellent opener.
Beck with the Colorado Symphony, July 26
Is there a style Beck hasn’t done? The multi-Grammy winner will have much more than two turntables and a microphone in store.
Glass Animals, Aug. 7
The English indie rockers will bring the Heat Waves to town.
Dirty Heads, June 27
The California band will infuse summer with its blend of hip-hop, reggae rock, and they’ll play Red Rocks and the Dillon Amp after Ford.
Billy Currington, Aug. 16
The country star’s chill vibes are just right for summer nights.
The Red Clay Strays, Sept. 12
The bluesy country band is riding a big breakout with Academy of Country Music Award nominations for Group of the Year and New Duo or Group of the Year.
The Black Sheep
The no-fills Black Sheep keeps proving why it’s the little dive bar that could with shows like these. See the list at blacksheeprocks.com
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, May 23
The Sheep will turn juke joint with old blues vibes and new soul swagger.
Alien Ant Farm, Aug. 16
The nu-metal Smooth Criminals will storm into the Springs.
Best Concerts in Denver
Red Rocks Amphitheater
You can’t call yourself a respectable Coloradan until you’ve seen a show at this legend. There are so many good concerts to choose from! The full lineup is at redrocksonline.com.
Skrillex, May 13
The top DJ, producer and EDM artist spins a five-hour set on the Rocks.
Sting, May 19-20, 22
From The Police to solo stardom, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is reinventing himself again with the Sting 3.0 tour.
Lord Huron, May 28-29
To the Ends of the Earth, would you follow Lord Huron’s outdoorsy, cinematic indie rock? You only have to go to Red Rocks.
The Avett Brothers, July 11-13
The three-night stand by the indie-folk outfit is a favorite summer tradition.
Eric Church, July 14-16
All we want to do is put a Drink In [Our] Hand during this three-night run by the country star.
Mumford and Sons, July 21-22
It’s been a minute since the British folk rockers released a studio album (2018) and toured (2023). Now they’re doing both once again.
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Aug. 1-2
The 12-piece powerhouse roots rockers bring their bluesy jams for a double dose at Red Rocks.
Gracie Abrams, Aug. 11-12
From opening for Taylor Swift to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, the indie pop songstress has broken out and headlines her own tour now.
Teddy Swims, Aug. 26
With a Grammy nomination this year for Best New Artist, the soulful singer will shake those towering red rocks with his powerhouse vocals.
Gregory Alan Isakov, Aug. 31 – Sept. 1
The Colorado based indie singer-songwriter always puts on a stellar show in his own backyard. Read this interview with him from our archives.
Pixies, Sept. 2
Where Is My Mind? At this show by the iconic alt rockers. Bonus: They are joined by Spoon.
Empower Field at Mile High
Some bands are just so big they need a stadium, and Mile High delivers. Find the full schedule at empowerfieldatmilehigh.com.
Coldplay, June 10
The global giants last played Denver in 2016, but never Mile High. Expect fireworks, lasers and LED wristbands for the massive Music of the Spheres tour.
Post Malone with Jelly Roll, June 15
This one’s a mega-duo with both genre-blurring artists riding tidal waves of hits, awards and popularity.
The Weekend, June 21
Who’s the No. 2 artist in the world on Spotify? This three-time Grammy pop-meets-hip-hop superstar.
Metallica, June 27-29
One of the most influential metal bands in history, Metallica is still rocking sold-out stadiums.
The Lumineers, Aug. 2
The Americana giants are at their best for hometown shows, including the highest-grossing concert ever at Coors Field in 2022. This is their first gig at Mile High. Bonus: Fellow Denverites Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats open.
Ball Arena
Home of the Nuggets, Avs and A-list artists. See the full schedule at ballarena.com/misc.
Katy Perry, May 15
She has sung in space now, so the Mile High elevation should be nothing for the pop megastar.
Chris Stapleton, Aug. 22-23
The country-rocker has double-digit tallies of all the major music awards. He’s riding his White Horse into Denver on the All-American Road Show.
Linkin Park, Sept. 3
The nu-metal, rapcore band was one of the biggest acts of the early 2000s. They went on hiatus following the tragic death of lead singer Chester Bennington, then reemerged in 2023 withe new vocalist Emily Armstrong.
Ice Cube, Sept. 16
One of the most influential artists in rap history, Ice Cube’s tour name says it all: Truth to Power – Four Decades of Attitude.
Fiddler’s Green
The 17,000-seat outdoor amphitheater delivers an excellent slate of shows in Greenwood Village. Check out the lengthy schedule at fiddlersgreenamp.com.
Wu-Tang Clan, July 4
The nine-emcee crew revolutionized hip-hop in the ’90s, and the clan is touring its swan song tour, Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber. Bonus: The super-duo Run the Jewels opens.
Keith Urban, July 17
The pop-country superstar is still churning out hits and rocking shows going on 25-plus years.
Caamp, July 26
The indie-folk rockers will be running a hundred miles and hour in the fast lane on the Green.
Mt. Joy, Aug. 15
The Silver Lining is that the indie rockers are playing Fiddler’s Green and Red Rocks back to back with the Temper Trap.
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Sept. 1
The socially conscious hall of famer has been Rockin’ in the Free World since the ’60s, and he’s still rolling out new music and tours.
Denver Botanic Garden
The lovely venue hosts intimate outdoor concerts for 1,200. See the lineup at botanicgardens.org.
Fitz and the Tantrums, July 29
The LA-based indie rock band will make your hands clap.
Brad Paisley
As one of country music’s most decorated artists, Paisley plays a mean guitar — and concert.
Mission Ballroom
With a capacity of nearly 4,000, the RiNo venue draws some impressive names to its intimate environs. Check it out at missionballroom.com.
Jack White, May 8-9
The visionary rocker and producer has a multi-Grammy repertoire from his solo work and various bands, including The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.
The Kooks, June 13
The British indie rockers bring their swagger through the U.S. before playing a fall arena tour in the U.K.
The Fray, Aug. 27
It’s a hometown show for the piano-driven pop-rock band when they play the How to Save a Life 20th Anniversary Tour in Denver.
Best Concerts in the Colorado Mountains
Dillon Amphitheater
Miss your favorite band at Red Rocks? They may be playing the scenic at the intimate 3,600-seat Dillon Amphitheater. IYKYK. The full lineup is here: dillonamp.com.
Cake, July 25
The eclectic rockers are still going The Distance, playing Ford Amphitheater, Red Rocks and Dillon on successive nights.
Modest Mouse, June 27
Float On up to the Dillon Amp to catch the ’00s indie rock giants’ 20th anniversary tour of the album Good News for People Who Love Bad News.
Dispatch, Aug. 8
The roots-reggae-rock band blew up in the Napster era of the ’90s and still put on a rocking live show.
My Morning Jacket, Aug. 13
MMJ has been a psychedelic indie rock force since the turn of the millennium.
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
The intimate 2,500-seat outdoor venue brings big names to play among Vail’s stellar scenery. Get the full lineup at grfavail.com.
Wilco, Aug. 17
From alt-country to eclectic indie rock, Jeff Tweedy and company have been indie rock royalty since the mid-’90s.
Ray LaMontagne, Aug. 26
The mountain setting is a perfect backdrop for the soulful singer-songwriter.
The Black Crowes, Sept. 13
The Vail Valley will be quaking with the sound of the Southern rockers. They’re so Hard to Handle.
Best Concerts in Boulder
The Colorado Chautauqua
The historic venue is nestled at the base of Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, hosting shows for 1,300. Learn more at chautauqua.com.
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, June 16
The power couple of American folk has already sold out this show. So you can go to the after-market — or Denver’s Paramount Theater the following night.
Jake Shimabukuro, July 16
The Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso makes that little instrument sing with a blend of blues, funk, jazz, rock, folk and more.
Lucinda Williams, July 19
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter brings a gravelly edge to her honest country-blues style.
Ani DiFranco, Sept. 10-11
The multigenre singer-songwriter, author and activist has never been afraid to call it like she sees it.
Folsom Field
The CU Boulder stadium doesn’t host many shows. When they do, they’re big. Get details at cubuffs.com.
Phish, July 3-5
Join the devoted Phish Heads to see one of the biggest jam bands in history, second only to the Grateful Dead.
Best Summer Concerts in Pueblo
Colorado State Fair
The annual state fair in Pueblo hosts a wide variety of events and entertainment, including concerts. Find the list at coloradostatefair.com.
Lee Brice, Aug. 23
It’s no Rumor. The country star is playing the PRCA Rodeo at the Colorado State Fair.
Flo Rida, Aug. 29
The rapping party king of the ’00s will turn the state fair into My House.
Pueblo Memorial Hall
The historic venue in downtown Pueblo serves as an entertainment hub for the Steel City. Learn more at pueblomemorialhall.com.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bobby Rush, May 16
Axes will wail when these two decorated bluesmen tour their joint album, Young Fashioned Ways.
