More than 200,000 people have attended concerts at the Ford Amphitheater since its opening on Aug. 7, 2024. Boasting a sophisticated sound system, luxury boxes and fire pits, and panoramic views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding Front Range, it’s a stunning location for the exceptional performances featured there. This year, the influential music magazine Billboard selected the venue as the “Top West Coast Amphitheater” of the year, cementing its reputation as the region’s best outdoor venue.
One Republic was the first act to perform at the amphitheater, and the venue has attracted first rate, diverse talent ever since. This season is no exception, featuring such diverse talent as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, performing with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and Allison Krause & Union Station. The venue holds almost 9,000 people, including both upper bowl and lower-bowl seats in front of the stage, as well as a lawn-seating area at the back of the amphitheater. For those with a taste for luxury, there are 92 individual fire-pit suites that hold an additional 736 people.
An avid longtime album collector — amassing more 3,000 LPs from myriad artists, genres and decades — local JW Roth is the visionary and driving force behind Ford Amphitheater and the founder and CEO of Venu, an entertainment and hospitality company. An incredibly successful entrepreneur, Roth parlayed his success as the co-founder of a Castle Rock-based biopharmaceutical company into prepared foods, real estate development and a venture capital fund. Music is his passion, however. He says he “grew up in the 70s and 80s and I consider those decades from The Eagles to Lynyrd Skynyrd the greatest era of classic rock ever.”
Once he started his journey into music as a business, Roth began visiting sites all over the country, “and I discovered that many venues, especially those with outdoor seating, had done a very poor job of keeping up with both the sophistication of the fans and musicians. So, I decided to disrupt the venue space and started Venu.” Thus, the idea for the Ford Amphitheatre was born, and five years later the company has five other venues under construction in sites including Oklahoma City and El Paso and McKinney, Texas
Talent manager and television producer Judi Marmel was one of the first locals to invest in the “ultra-lux box” experience.
“When I first heard about the opportunity to invest alongside JW Roth, it was a no-brainer,” she says. “Growing up in Colorado Springs, I always knew that I wanted to have some kind of career in live entertainment and have seen how important a venue like this is to our community.”
Upcoming Events at Ford Amphitheater
Thursday, May 14 | 8 p.m.
John Mulaney
The four-time Emmy Award, Critics Choice award and WGA award-winning writer, comedian and actor brings along his friends Fred Armisen and Mike Birbiglia.
Friday, June 5 | 7:30 p.m.
Yo-Yo Ma and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra
The internationally acclaimed cellist forged an emotional connection to Colorado Springs when he performed with the Philharmonic on Sept. 11, 2001.
Thursday, June 18 | 6:30 p.m.
O.A.R. Three Decades Tour
O.A.R. (Of a Revolution) has been performing for more than 20 years, offering soulful and authentic rock. Gavin DeGraw and Phantom Planet also will perform.
Thursday, July 2 | 6:30 p.m.
Dierks Bentley
The multi-platinum country star has just released his11th studio album, “Broken Branches,” and brings his Off the Map tour to the Amphitheater.
Saturday, Aug. 1 | 6:30 p.m.
The Black Crowes
On their Southern Hospitality Tour, the Black Crowes will be joined by Whiskey Myers and Southall as they hit the road this summer.
Saturday, Aug. 8 | 8 p.m.
Lindsey Stirling
Not only a multi-award-winning musician known for her genre-bending virtuosity on electronic violin, Stirling has dazzled audiences with her extraordinary talents as a dancer
Friday, Aug. 14 | 7:30 p.m.
Alison Krauss and Union Station Arcadia Tour
The legendary performer remains one of the most influential and celebrated voices — and fiddlers — in bluegrass and Americana music.
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 7:30 p.m.
Brantley Gilbert
The singer and songwriter blends hard-rocking country with themes of redemption, faith and struggles with faith during his Tattoos Tour.
If You Go
Ford Amphitheater
95 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs
For doors open and show times, tickets and new shows as they are announced, visit:
fordamphitheater.live
Buy tickets at:
axs.com
Parking is available onsite for Owners’ Club, Premium tickets, fire suites and preferred ticket holders. Additional off-site parking for $20 at Phil Long Music Hall , or park for free at Bass Pro Shops .
Editor’s note: All performances and details are as of Feb. 15. Check fordamphitheater.live for current information.