Red Rocks Concerts That We Missed in 2020
With the ongoing pandemic, we all spent the summer unable to attend sporting events. However, it’s often overlooked that we also lost the ability to go to concerts and hear live music. That meant iconic venues like the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado remained empty all summer. As usual, the venue organizers had lined up an incredible list of Red Rocks concerts in 2020, all of which had to be canceled or postponed. It wasn’t fair, but we can at least think about how amazing it would have been. So, we thought we’d take a look at all of the Red Rocks events that we missed in 2020 but we that hope can be rescheduled so we can see them at some point in the future once it’s safe.
Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, and Wiz Khalifa – April 16
Seriously, how good would this show have been? These three acts essentially make up three different generations of hip-hop, all sharing the same stage on one night. Imagine being a fan of Wiz Khalifa and then hearing Cypress Hill for the first time. Plus, you know Snoop Dogg puts on a one-of-a-kind show.
Ice Cube, Method Man, Redman – April 20
Speaking of amazing hip-hop concerts, this one might have been even better than the one scheduled a few days earlier. We all know that Method Man and Redman have collaborated on some amazing tracks. Also, with Method Man and Ice Cube, you’d have representatives from both the Wu-Tang Clan and NWA. For fans of hip-hop history, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Trevor Hall, Citizen Cope – May 1
Concerts with a more chill and mellow vibe are perfect at Red Rocks, especially in the spring when it starts to get a little warmer. That’s exactly what you’d get with Citizen Cope and Trevor Hall on a twin-bill. Indie music fans would have had a field day at this show.
Lord Huron – June 3,4
Can you picture it, Lord Huron playing “The Night We Met” underneath the stars at the mountainous Red Rocks Amphitheater? Let’s be honest, if you take your girlfriend to the show, that’s a marriage proposal waiting to happen. No pressure, of course. Fortunately, Lord Huron is hoping to come back next summer on June 2 and 3, giving you guys more time to plan out the perfect proposal.
Chicago – June 18
Yes, Chicago is still performing more than 50 years after the group got started in 1967. Obviously, it’s no longer the original lineup, but if you look closely, you’ll be able to spot some faces that were with the band in 1967. The point is that Red Rocks is an ideal venue for a band like Chicago. Hopefully, you can be there on June 7 of next year when they try to make up the canceled show.
Barenaked Ladies – June 23
Obviously, things aren’t quite the same since Steven Page left the group in 2009. But for the most part, the original lineup of the Barenaked Ladies remains intact. They also keep releasing new music every couple of years. Of course, when they return to Red Rocks on June 22, 2021, to make up for the canceled show, they’ll surely be playing all of the old hits, of which there are several.
Andrew Bird, Calexico, Iron & Wine – June 24
This is another show that’s made for lovers of Indie rock who just want to chill out at Red Rocks all night while being serenaded by beautiful songs. The hope is that Iron & Wine, Calexico, and Andrew Bird will make it back to Colorado on June 23 of next year to play the show.
Blue Traveler – July 4
Don’t pretend like you weren’t dying to hear John Popper’s harmonica echo among the mountains. The kicker was that Blues Traveler was going to give fans the “Run Around” on the Fourth of July. There’s no question this would have been a special night at Red Rocks.
Foreigner – July 22
Admit it, Foreigner is one of those bands that never goes out of style. Hearing all of those old songs like “Waiting For a Girl Like You” at a venue like Red Rocks would surely bring back some memories, at least for those older folks. With any luck, Foreigner will be back at Red Rocks one year after the original date of the concert to give the show a second try.
Goo Goo Dolls – July 29
If it matters, the Goo Goo Dolls are still making new music. But it’s not like they’d come to Red Rocks without playing classics like “Name” and “Iris.” You know those songs would have been unforgettable at a venue like Red Rocks. Unfortunately, you’ll have to use your imagination to picture how it would have sounded.
Reggae on the Rocks – August 22, 23
Granted, reggae music isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But you have to admit that Red Rocks is a great venue for the laid-back vibe that reggae creates. While the two-day event had to be canceled, reggae fans can come back to Red Rocks on August 21, 2021, for a full day of fun, including performances from Rebelution, Inner Circle, Keznamdi, Judge Roughneck, and DJ Mackle.
Jimmy Buffett – September 8-10
Last but not least, all of you Parrotheads missed out on the chance to see Jimmy Buffett for three straight nights at Red Rocks in September. No matter how many times you’ve seen him before, Buffett never gets old. The good news is that this is one of the shows that’s been rescheduled, so you can try again at Red Rocks next September to see this music legend.