FESTIVAL REVIEW: Mile High Music Festival, Denver, CO – July 19-20

Story by Big Croppa and Rusty Shakelford

Photos by Big Croppa

5,280 feet is pretty high, but not as high as the 95,000 music hungry people that attended Denver’s first annual Mile High Music Festival. The inaugural two-day event hosted 43 bands spanning over 24 soccer fields, three outdoor stages, and two tent stages (each the size of a football field).  

Denver has been a hotbed of music for decades – home to Red Rocks, The Fillmore Auditorium, and many small, intimate venues – yet the city has never had its own music festival. Now, thanks to music promoter Chuck Morris, it finally does.

The main objective of the Mile High Music Festival was to celebrate Colorado’s diverse music scene without excessively impacting the environment. Free upgraded parking was offered for people that carpooled with four or more attendees, recycled wristbands replaced the usual laminated band passes, and art instillations produced from 100% recycled materials were scattered all over 1.5 million square feet of soccer turf adding visual dimensions to the festivals atmosphere. After all was said and done, the grounds crew only had to replace 1,500 square feet of turf.

There was also a neon army of volunteers that circulated the crowd between shows grabbing recyclables. Volunteers from The Conscious Alliance collected 10,000 pounds of food at entrances and various booths around the festival.

The musical diversity was noticeable from early on Saturday afternoon when Colorado locals, The Railbenders, played the Bison Tent a half-mile away from the Bullsnake Stage where Michael Franti and Spearhead were preparing to go on. Large screens showed the boys warming up by juggling a soccer ball. One by one they made their way to the stage adding their respective instruments to the opening jam. The crowd burst into smoke as Franti rejoiced in song while joining his friends. Still juggling the soccer ball, Franti took one final kick, sending a happy fan home with an unexpected souvenir.

The festival’s diversity flowed over to the main stage Saturday night as the younger fan-based band, O.A.R., opened up for rock legends Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers bringing two generations of music lovers together for one big party.

Petty did not disappoint the sun-baked bodies that eagerly waited for night to fall and for the man to take the stage. He turned the 40,000+ people into a large karaoke sing along, with hits like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” “Free Fallin’,” and “I Won’t Back Down.”  Longtime friend Steve Winwood joined Petty on stage for a few songs, treating the crowd to “Give Me Some Lovin’” and Winwood’s 1969 classic “Can’t Find My Way Home.”

Sunday, hip-hop pioneers, The Roots, had the honor of playing an early afternoon set in the overflowing smoke-filled Bison Tent. The Roots have an uncanny ability to transcend different musical genres. Today was no exception, playing everything from Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War,” to Led Zeppelin and Wizard of Oz teases.

On the other end of the musical spectrum, The Black Crowes took the Bullsnake Stage supporting “Warpaint,” the band’s first studio recording in seven years. The Crowes gave fans a long anticipated taste of something new, while still holding true to their trademark blend of rock, blues, and soulful music.

As the sun set over the rocky mountains, all attention turned to the main stage where Dave Matthews was about to unleash a light show that would register on NASA’s radar.  Setting the tone for the evening, Dave and the band opened their set with an energy filled “Don’t Drink the Water.” Longtime friend, Tim Reynolds, helped fill the void left by injured saxophonist LeRoi Moore. The band’s three+ hour set list included fan favorites like “Ants Marching” and “Jimi Thing“ and a cover of “Sledgehammer.” 

Dave closed the festival with an extended funked out version of “Thank You for Letting Me Be Myself Again,” which was appropriate for the festival’s vibe, allowing people to experience new things, and to be themselves. 

Check out the MHMF photo gallery here