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Monolith Festival 2008!

July 17th, 2008 Posted by: Dust Devil

Last year I finally had an opportunity to do two things music related I had always wanted to experience: see a show at Red Rocks in Colorado; catch the Flaming Lips live. That Lips show was one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed and to this day is one of my all time music moments. However, this post is to talk about Red Rocks and the festival I saw the band at, the inaugural Monolith Festival.

As a high school kid I remember being blown away by the U2 video for Under a Blood Red Sky and thinking, “I have to see a show there one of these years.” Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, is quite simply the best venue this writer has ever been to, and I have seen a lot of concerts over the years. Driving up to the venue was an experience all its own, simply for the sheer beauty of the surroundings. Driving through this huge natural rock archway to the parking lot at the top was spectacular. Getting out of the vehicle and looking out over the valley was breathtaking.

Upon entering Red Rocks I walked open-mouthed, realizing I was in music Utopia. Once I actually made my way to the seating, saw the amphitheatre and the rock surrounding it, I was quite simply blown away. I hope the residents of Colorado realize just how fortunate they are. By the end of the weekend I was partly wishing I lived there, just so I would have the opportunity to see a concert, any concert, at this magnificent venue anytime I wanted.

The acoustics are unbelievable. Every band that played sounded fabulous … even if the music from some was not up to the standard of the venue (Art Brut anyone?). The stage is enormous, the seating, although made of rock, is quite comfortable. I love the fact that there are signs posted on the sides where you walk up to the terrace that tell you how many calories you will burn walking all the way up to the top! Needless to say, the elevation does play a part in the Red Rocks experience. There is a very cool vistor’s center at the top of the venue. It is definitely something to check out, especially the hallway listing every performer who has ever played there, as well as listening stations to check out past performances.

The Monolith Festival is in its second year now and is the biggest event Red Rocks hosts. I can tell you from personal experience that the Festival team does a fabulous job putting on this event. Everything is in order, the facility was clean the entire weekend, there were plenty of vendor and food tents and of course, the line-up secured last year was fabulous! In addition, the Monolith Festival is very green and eco-friendly and there is plenty of information readily available with environmental concerns given away during the festival.

This year’s line-up is sure to be a big hit again. Two of the bands, Tokyo Police Club and the Silversun Pickups, are personal faves and I have seen both bands on two occasions each. I am really excited both will be performing on the main stage.

Check out the full line-up here! There will be over SIXTY bands performing on five different stages during the two days of the Festival. The organizers do a great job of timing the performances in such a way where sound from one does not affect the other. The only “drawback” is figuring out what band you definitely want to see since at least one if not two others will be performing at the same time.

I strongly suggest if you are planning to attend both days to purchase the VIP Gold Pass. Regular two day passes go for $110, but those you have to buy from Ticketmaster, and we all know how that company kills the industry with its service charges. A VIP Gold Pass can only be purchased at the Monolith Festival site, costs $225 with no service charges or shipping fees and the amenities are fabulous! Best of all, you have VIP parking access at the top of the venue and trust me, that alone makes the price worthwhile. Seating at Red Rocks is general admission, but VIP patrons have an area all to themselves directly surrounding the soundboard, maximizing the sound experience. Only 500 of these are sold; I have mine, I suggest you get yours before they are gone.

This festival has not reached the status of Glastonbury, Coachella or Bonnaroo yet, but someday I think it could. It is that wonderful of an experience. Folks, take it from the Dust Devil, make the trip to Morrison, CO the weekend of September 13-14 and prepare for an experience you will never forget!

Cheers!
The Dust Devil

regular one or two days passes for the Monolith Festival http://www.monolithfestival.com/pages/buy-tickets

Filed under: Concert Tour Announcements, Venue News & Reviews, Cheers and Jeers