Local pop-rock heroes the Fray and art-metal group Tool each will play one night at the second annual Mile High Music Festival on July 18-19, with jam band Widespread Panic contributing sets at both concerts, promoter Chuck Morris announced Thursday.
“We’re trying to spread out a little musically from what we did last year,” Morris said. “We’re definitely going for more alternative bands.”
Other acts scheduled to play the festival, which takes place in the soccer fields surrounding Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City: Incubus, Boulder’s 3OH!3, Ben Harper & Relentless7, G. Love & Special Sauce, Ani DiFranco, India.Arie, the Black Keys, Gov’t Mule, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Buddy Guy, Gomez, Galactic, Matisyahu, Lyrics Born, Denver’s own Paper Bird and more.
This year’s installment features 51 bands compared with last year’s 46. Morris also said the tents will be shorter and wider, in an attempt to get fans closer to the stage.
The festival drew nearly 90,000 in its inaugural outing with Tom Petty, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and other mainstream acts. A popular but edgy band such as Tool is a departure from last year’s largely middle-of-the-road artists.
Was the grab for a younger demographic intentional?
“We’re trying to go younger and older,” Morris said. “We have alternative bands for the kids, but we also have Buddy Guy for the parents. . . . We wanted to diversify a little bit, with the core of the artists being the core of (radio station) KBCO’s play list.”
Morris said the festival will offer improved parking and centralized concessions and restrooms. He also emphasized that Widespread Panic will not be playing Red Rocks or the Pepsi Center this year — even New Year’s Eve — and that Mile High is the best chance to see the jam band.
Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. April 3 via and .
Tickets also can be picked up at the box office at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park or Dick’s Sporting Goods stores. Two-day passes costs $162.50, and one-day passes are $90.
A “layaway” option, in the style of California’s Coachella festival, also is available. Fans pay half the cost now and half the first week of June.
Mile High Music Festival
When: July 18-19
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City
Ticket prices: $162.50 for a two-day pass; $90 for a one-day pass
Tickets on sale: 10 a.m. April 3 at and . They also can be picked up at the box office at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park or Dick’s Sporting Goods stores.
