When was Tyler Childers at Red Rocks?

Tyler Childers is an American country music singer-songwriter from Kentucky. He is known for his authentic Appalachian sound and heartfelt lyrics. Childers has developed a dedicated following and his popularity has steadily grown over the past several years. One of his most notable concerts was a multi-night engagement at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, Colorado in 2021. Red Rocks is one of the most legendary music venues in the United States and it was a career milestone for Childers to perform there. In this article, we will look at the details around Tyler Childers’ concerts at Red Rocks in 2021, including the dates he performed and what the shows were like.

About Tyler Childers

Tyler Childers was born in Lawrence County, Kentucky in 1991. He grew up in a rural area and much of his music is influenced by the Appalachian culture of eastern Kentucky. Childers taught himself to play guitar as a teenager and started writing his own songs. In his early 20s, he self-released his first album titled Bottles and Bibles. His breakthrough came in 2017 when he released his second album Purgatory, which included songs like “Whitehouse Road” and “I Swear (To God).”

Purgatory earned Childers critical acclaim and got him noticed by major record labels in Nashville. He signed with Hickman Holler Records and released his third studio album Country Squire in 2019. That album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and #2 on the all-genre Billboard 200. It featured Childers’ most popular song to date “All Your’n”, which peaked at #1 on Billboard’s country digital song sales chart. By 2019, Childers was selling out mid-size venues and headlining festivals around the country. His success landed him a slot playing the hallowed Red Rocks venue in Colorado.

About Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an open-air concert venue located near Morrison, Colorado, about 15 miles west of Denver. Red Rocks sits nestled in the natural red rock formations of Red Rocks Park. It first opened in 1941 and has hosted concerts by major artists ever since. Some legendary performances at Red Rocks include The Beatles in 1964, U2 in 1983, and Stevie Nicks in 2017. The striking sandstone amphitheater with its awe-inspiring views has a seating capacity of just over 9,500.

Due to its limited size compared to many modern arenas and stadiums, playing Red Rocks is seen as a rite of passage for musicians. It means an artist has reached a high level of popularity and success. The venue typically books roots, rock, indie, electronic, jam band, and country artists. Red Rocks also hosts the annual Film on the Rocks movie series. It remains one of the most coveted concert venues for both artists and fans alike.

Tyler Childers’ Concerts at Red Rocks in 2021

In 2021, Tyler Childers finally got his opportunity to play the famed Red Rocks natural amphitheater. He performed two concerts on consecutive nights on September 30th and October 1st. Childers brought his full touring band along for the shows, featuring fiddle, pedal steel guitar, drums, bass, and keyboards. The concerts marked a significant milestone and achievement for the young country/roots musician from Kentucky.

Both Tyler Childers concerts at Red Rocks in 2021 sold out extremely quickly, demonstrating his exploding popularity. The scenic venue allows concertgoers to tailgate in the parking lots beforehand, leading to a festive party atmosphere. For many fans, the concerts were their first opportunity to see Childers perform live.

Here is a look at some details from each of the two shows:

Night 1 – Thursday, September 30

The first show took place on a comfortable early autumn evening. The doors opened at 6:30 PM and the opening act, Charley Crockett, performed from 7:30-8:15 PM. Then Tyler Childers and his band took the stage shortly after 8:30 PM as daylight dwindled over the iconic venue. They opened with the jamming song “Bus Route” and featured a wide-ranging setlist of songs from all three of Childers’ studio albums. Some highlights were lively performances of “Whitehouse Road”, “Lady May”, and “All Your’n.”

Childers and his band returned for a three song encore, closing out the night with “Nose on the Grindstone.” The show lasted around 2 hours from start to finish. Most concertgoers felt it was an amazing showcase of Childers’ heartfelt songwriting and the incredible musical talents of his band. The back-and-forth between Childers’ vocals and the band’s solos and jams made for an unforgettable experience.

Night 2 – Friday, October 1

The second Red Rocks show opened with the same start times but featured a slightly different setlist order. It was another clear and mild night. Standout songs from the second show included “Shake the Frost”, “Feathered Indians”, and “Universal Sound.”

For the encore, Childers again sang three songs but opted for “Tattoos” instead of “Nose on the Grindstone” to close out Night 2. While very similar overall, the second show contained a looser, more relaxed vibe. By the end, Childers had played nearly every song in his catalog over the two nights. Fans speculated that he seemed to savor the magnitude of headlining two Red Rocks shows.

Setlists from Tyler Childers’ Red Rocks concerts

Here are the full setlists from Tyler Childers’ two concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2021:

September 30, 2021

October 1, 2021

Fan Reactions to the Red Rocks Shows

The overwhelming sentiment from fans after Tyler Childers’ concerts at Red Rocks was extremely positive. Many cited it as one of their all-time favorite concert experiences. Here are some examples of fan reactions:

“That was my first time seeing Tyler live and he absolutely blew me away. His songwriting and lyrics are incredible but his voice live is just unreal. And his band is so tight. I’ll never forget how beautiful it looked when the sunset during the show.” – Sara R. from Denver

“I’ve seen shows at Red Rocks before but Tyler Childers tops them all. You can tell he and the band love playing live and they really make you feel every emotion. I laughed, I cried, I sang and danced all night. His music touches your soul. So glad I got to witness those magical shows.” – Jake T. from Salt Lake City

“We drove 10 hours from Kansas just to see Tyler at Red Rocks and it was worth every mile. The venue is unbelievable and he sounds even better live. You can just feel the passion he has for his songs and his home. And he brings so much energy on stage. I really hope he plays Red Rocks again someday because those shows were unforgettable.” – Jessica P. from Wichita

Overall, Tyler Childers’ concerts at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre lived up to the lofty expectations. For his fans, it was the perfect blend of an incredible outdoor venue matched with Childers’ heartfelt songcraft and fiery live performances. The shows undoubtedly marked a pivotal point in his career that he’ll remember forever.

Conclusion

In September and October 2021, rising country/roots musician Tyler Childers finally got to cross Red Rocks Amphitheatre off his list of dream venues. He performed two consecutive sold-out shows at the iconic Colorado open-air concert hall on September 30th and October 1st. The concerts capped a meteoric rise over the past few years that has seen Childers graduate from self-released albums to topping the country charts.

The Red Rocks shows allowed Tyler Childers to showcase his authentic songs and energetic live show to adoring crowds against the backdrop of the venue’s breathtaking natural beauty. Both nights featured extended jams, fiery solos, and poignant ballads from all eras of Childers’ catalog. Fan reactions were overwhelmingly positive, citing it as a bucket-list concert experience. Tyler Childers at Red Rocks amply demonstrated that he is poised for even greater success and ascendance in the years ahead.