New Sunset Amphitheater announces opening act, date in Colorado Springs
A couple of hometown boys who blossomed into superstars will open the Pikes Peak region’s new 8,000-seat Sunset Amphitheater this summer.
OneRepublic, the popular pop rock band founded more than two decades ago in Colorado Springs by lead singer Ryan Tedder and lead guitarist Zach Filkins, will christen the open-air venue Aug. 9. Pre-registration is available now for the grand opening. On sale for the general public is set for Feb. 10. Go online to sunsetamphitheater.live.
Notes Live, a Colorado Springs entertainment company, is behind the $90 million venue on the city’s north side, southeast of Interstate 25 and North Gate Boulevard in the Polaris Pointe development. It’s the culmination of a longtime dream for Notes Live founder, chairman and CEO J.W. Roth.
“It’s three years in the making,” he said. “We’ve gone through the Planning Department and City Council and the lawsuit, so by the time we get here we’re ready for the party.”
A homeowners lawsuit that sought to block construction and operation of the venue due to concert noise violating the state’s noise pollution law, creating a nuisance for residents, and hurting their property values was thrown out by an El Paso County judge in January.
Roth had a hand in selecting the venue’s inaugural band, whose founding members Tedder and Filkins met while playing soccer at Colorado Springs Christian School in 1996. The group released their debut album, “Dreaming Out Loud,” in 2007. Hits include “Counting Stars,” “Apologize,” “Stop and Stare” and “If I Lose Myself.”
“They’re one of the top bands in the country,” Roth said. “Ryan is from Colorado Springs. His dad has been a partner in our firm for 17 years. All of those relationships and pieces added up. You can’t open this without OneRepublic.”
The amphitheater will host 20 “A-list shows” this summer, Roth says, plus other smaller acts. A couple of new shows will be announced almost every week over the next month.
An average year will see about 40 to 45 shows from May through September. Depending on the band, ticket prices could range from $40 to more than $300.
During the off-season the venue might be used for rentals, such as an Easter sunrise service or spring graduations.
“For the most part the amphitheater will host live music and movies in the summer months,” Roth said. “I’m so excited I can’t see straight.”
