MUSIC on the ROCKS

The Pandemic changed many things including Napa Valley’s premier concert weekend Bottle Rock. The three-day affair had to be moved from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weekend, so sadly, I missed it, and one of my favorite artists, Brandi Carlile. This year’s lineup was supposed to headline Stevie Nicks and Chris Stapleton, both of whom stepped out at the last minute due to COVID. Replacements were made and the shows went on to a sold-out crowd. Bottle Rock is an awesome experience. The venue is clean, spread out, with bumping sound systems, and filled with excellent food, wine, beer, beverages, and cool happenings for the young and old. The lineup is always good, featuring bands from different genres and personalities. This year featured more women artists with surprise live collaborations. They rocked it! If you want to attend Bottle Rock, plan ahead and get on the email list. Hotels book up quickly and are limited. See bottlerocknapavalley.com for all the information you’ll need. See you next year.

Although I missed Brandi Carlile at Bottle Rock I got to see her the very next weekend at Red Rocks in Morrison Colorado, live with the Denver Philharmonic and Mavis Staples. The best word to describe what it’s like to see artists perform at Red Rocks is, UNBELIEVABLE. Sitting out in the middle of literally thousands of red rocks, the Amphitheatre sits at 6,450 feet above sea level where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. Opened in June 1941, Red Rocks is a natural phenomenon of geographical significance, creating a hybrid of history, architecture, and geology, appealing to an array of musical artists for its perfect acoustic sound. Nothing else compares to seeing a show here. Bring your hiking boots for the 193 steps up to the seating area, which can seat 9,525. This is a must for any music lover, outdoor adventure seeker, or anyone who simply wants to see something spectacular. A short drive from downtown Denver, details at redrocksonline.com.