One of my favorite summer activities is seeing live music, whether it’s at festivals or concerts in my area. Here are some big names and anticipated concerts of the summer if you’re looking for some fun activities or a night out with your friends!
Hippo Campus
Date: May 2, 2023
Venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Why you should go: If you’re looking for a cool new indie band to follow or just a fun Red Rocks show early on in the season, Hippo Campus is a great band to see “on the rocks.” With a marvelous view of Denver and its surrounding cities, Red Rocks is the perfect place to kick off your summer concert lineup. With a predicted long set list and a sold-out venue full of people just as passionate about music as you are, this is a show you can’t miss.
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0DJSWk?si=3cd6909dea38414b
Louis Tomlinson
Date: June 21, 2023
Venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Why you should go: Who doesn’t love the solo music of a former extremely popular boy band member? A previous member of One Direction, Louis Tomlinson is making it far in his solo career and is playing bigger and bigger venues over the years. With a very successful album that just came out a few months ago, Louis Tomlinson is sure to have a passionate crowd singing all his lyrics back at him. This is the perfect fun concert to look forward to a few weeks into summer!
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO30PG0l?si=acec6319fefd4c2a
George Strait
Date: June 24, 2023
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
Why you should go: If country music is more your style, George Strait may be the perfect summer concert for you. One of the most popular country singers of all time, George Strait has been writing and performing hit songs for decades. A concert full of a bunch of country classics in a huge stadium is the perfect concert for all ages. Whether it’s with your parents who are visiting, a night out with friends, or just some time with yourself, grabbing your cowboy hat and boots and making the trip to Denver is worth it for this concert.
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO3eVQqI?si=2d0bf1de297c4cce
Zeds Dead
Date: July 2 and 3, 2023
Venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Why you should go: As a Colorado native, I’ve seen electronic duo Zeds Dead on the Red Rocks lineup every year for as long as I can remember. People come from all across the country for the unique combination of this specific duo and this specific venue. It’s the perfect concert for EDM lovers looking for friends with similar interests and the best venue on a warm summer night. This concert sells out fast, and is one you can’t miss if you’re looking for a summer rave night not too far from Boulder!
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO3BPiTe?si=4be040213cf948f1
Taylor Swift
Date: July 14 and 15, 2023
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
Why you should go: Where do I even start with Taylor Swift? As one of the most popular female artists in the world going on tour for the first time in five years, she is an absolute MUST in your summer concert lineup if you can secure tickets. Though the original ticket sale has already passed and most of the people who fought in the Ticketmaster queue are likely to keep their tickets, there are still a decent amount of tickets available for resale. Though the tickets are a little more on the expensive side, “The Eras Tour” is one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer. Grab your sparkly outfits, meet up with your fellow Swifties, and scream the lyrics to your favorite songs from every album in Denver this year!
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX5KpP2LN299J?si=1844f029370846f6
Killer Queen
Date: July 18, 2023
Venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Why you should go: Killer Queen is a successful tribute band to the one and only former rock band, Queen. The name of the tribute band is based off of the song “Killer Queen” by the original band and consists of great impersonators of the original members. Complete with the vocals, mannerisms, and style of the original band, this is an incredible concert that I’ve attended before and will hopefully be attending again. Whether you’re just starting to listen to Queen a few decades later or you’ve been a fan since they started making music, this concert at Red Rocks is perfect for Queen lovers or anyone who wants a concert full of classic hits before school starts back up again.
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0ENBD2?si=4328ff5f7f7d4d7f
Noah Kahan
Date: July 26, 2023
Venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Why you should go: Noah Kahan was in Colorado a couple of months ago on his incredibly popular “Stick Season” tour and is coming back this summer to play at a bigger venue. He opened for another artist at a Red Rocks show last year and is now headlining one of his own. As someone who went to the Colorado show in February, this concert has an incredible set list, and you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by people who relate to Noah’s songs as much as you do. At such an amazing venue, Noah Kahan is set to put on a fantastic show for Colorado natives and travelers from across the country alike. From his early albums to his most recent one, there are anthems that everyone can relate to that will be sung at this concert, making it the perfect live music event to attend with your friends if you’re able to get tickets!
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO1Exmrs?si=d50562e5baef4ebc
Sam Smith
Date: August 18, 2023
Venue: Ball Arena
Why you should go: Sam Smith is one of the biggest artists on the board right now, especially after releasing their hit song “Unholy,” that’s topped the charts for weeks now. Though they were out of the eye of the media for a while, Sam Smith is back and excited to tour again. They just released a new album that so many people are already praising, and this concert is expected to be one of the best of the season. A preacher of body positivity and just having a good time listening to music, this is another concert to go to right before school starts back up again if you’re looking for a final fun event of the summer.
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX29brXfjEm5q?si=30e6e294c13c40b2
Ed Sheeran
Date: August 19, 2023
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
Why you should go: As someone who once opened for much larger artists, Ed Sheeran has made quite the name for himself over the years and is set to play a venue that holds close to 100,000 people. With hits from his previous albums that everyone knows and loves, and a new album set to be released in just a couple of weeks, Ed Sheeran is sure to be at the top of the charts all summer long. If you’re looking for a successful artist who is sure to put on a great show full of songs you can scream along to with your friends, Ed Sheeran is the perfect person to see to close out this summer!
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWWxPM4nWdhyI?si=d55c2d747dbc4a28
Young the Giant
Date: August 30, 2023
Venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater
Why you should go: I saw Young the Giant at Red Rocks in October of last year, and they delivered an incredible show. From the vocals to the atmosphere to the nearly two-hour set list, Young the Giant is a band you can’t miss. That being said, they are sure to have another amazing lineup this summer on tour, and even though the concert is after school starts back up for most people, this concert will give you a little taste of summer as school festivities start back up. Since they finished their album, “American Bollywood,” released in four parts, they have only been on the incline in popularity. With a show full of classic songs and a venue stacked with people just wanting to have a good time, this is a concert at the end of the summer that you should absolutely go to if you’re able to get tickets!
The songs you can’t miss: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO2weiuA?si=a42482f320f34b21
If you’re anything like me and feel like the summer can’t come fast enough, you’re looking for any excuse to plan your summer activities. From rock to EDM to classic pop, the venues in Colorado have it all this summer. Be sure to check out some of these amazing concerts if you can!