Show Review: Maggie Rogers at Red Rocks 08.09.23
Following the release of 2022’s Surrender, fans have been awaiting Maggie Rogers’s return to the stage in Colorado. In the time since Maggie’s 2019 performance at Denver’s Mission Ballroom she has toured much of the world without making another stop in the Mile High City. This past April the ‘Summer of 23’ tour was announced and with it the confirmation of Maggie’s debut headlining show at Red Rocks. While this may not be her first time gracing the stage at the iconic venue, it had been 5 years since she had opened for Haim here in 2018. Maggie headlining at Red Rocks was not a question of “If” but “When”.
In addition to the tour announcement was the news of a special in-person ticket sale at venues box offices in an attempt to thwart ticket scalpers. “F–k bots + f-k fees. Come buy a ticket in person. tomorrow only,” Rogers posted to her Instagram account prior to the April 7th sale. These in person sales seemed to be a massive success.
Maggie's return to Red Rocks was marvelous and she had great company to join her. Canadian indie/pop rockers Alvvays started the night off with their bubbly high energy pop-rock songs. Maggie later said during her set that Alvvays are one of her favorite bands, and it’s easy to see why. Their songs are infectious and quickly had the crowd energized as the sun set over the venue.
When the time came for Maggie’s set, she kicked things off with 3 songs from Surrender. ‘Anywhere with you’, ‘Want Want’ and ‘Be Cool’ had the entire venue dancing and screaming in pure elation of seeing these songs performed in Colorado for the very first time. Following the performance of ‘Want Want’ it seemed to set in to Maggie that she was really headlining at this historic venue. With her hands on her head she let out a joyful scream. A smile was plastered ear to ear as she gazed up at the 9000+ fans filling the mountainside. It took Maggie a few moments to compose herself before thanking the crowd for this amazing evening and starting the band back up with ‘Be Cool’.
Rogers acknowledged that she hadn't had the chance to bring the songs of Surrender to Colorado and that she was excited to finally play the songs here. While fans were over the moon to hear the songs of Surrender, they were treated to something truly special. Rogers shared with the crowd that she had recently recorded a new album. “I somehow very quickly made a record in January and I’m in the middle of mixing right now. The way I’ve been describing it to friends is that it sounds like Sunday Morning, Blue Jean, Driving… It sounds like Colorado.” Rogers stated before cutting into her newest song “Don’t Forget Me” from her forthcoming album. The acoustic guitar driven song felt very much like Colorado as the warm guitar chords and Maggie’s amazing vocal melodies resonated through the crowd and bounced off the venue's massive sandstone cliffs.
The night’s feelings of shared intimacy between the crowd and Rogers grew as she gave fans insight into her mindset when writing ‘Symphony’. “The whole time I was working on Surrender, I always pictured (performing) “Symphony” here at red rocks.” Her captivating performance of the song on this very stage made that sentiment feel true.
At the finale of the night, Maggie returned onstage for her encore and had a straightforward request of pure silence from the crowd. The crowd complied. 9000 people stood still and mute as Maggie broke the silence with ‘Color Song’. The gorgeous vocal harmonies of her acapella performance the only sound cutting through the crisp summer mountain air. This chill inducing moment without a doubt will stand as one of the most memorable moments of any Red Rocks show this season. It felt as if the entire venue was holding its breath, letting each sung syllable from Maggie’s voice wash over them.
Between the performance of ‘Don’t Forget Me’, a new album on the way, and Maggie teasing a future Colorado concert it’s hard to not get caught up in anticipation for her next show. Regardless, this monumental night will not be quickly forgotten. Maggie’s headlining debut at Red Rocks was a special once in a life time event for both her and the crowd that was lucky enough to witness it.
