Travel Diary: Red Rocks
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
I count myself amongst a lucky few that get an insider's look at the life of those in creative industries.
Fashion (not the street style craziness that takes over our fashion week feeds these days)
Art (it's more than the glitz of Basel... step inside a Master Painter's studio and take that in)
and then, my first love Music.
My first job out of college was as an Assistant Publicist for an outdoor amphitheater. My job was to escort photographers down to the pit for the obligatory three songs, and then right back out to the press trailer. And while I was an absolute professional and kept my eyes on the photogs I was responsible for, I couldn't help but feed my obsession and take in every second of what was happening on the stage.
So when given the opportunity this year to spend a little time on the road with Ben I've taken it. The destinations are almost always magical. The travel, and I've mentioned this before, is certainly not. I take 5 a.m. flights, I sleep little en route from one place to the next and, like the rest of the world I have a job, actually two, and sometimes even three or four. I save every pretty penny to have these experiences, and you know what?! It is always worth it.
My trip to Red Rocks was perhaps one of the most surreal to date. And as a girl who was just tagging along with the band, if I could feel this much energy in the air, I can only imagine the dreamy sparkling OMG-ness those musicians must have felt that day.
Here's how it went from my little vantage point.
We started the morning in what I'm certain was the middle of nowhere Colorado. The more time I spend out West the more I feel it calling me to explore every little corner. The vastness is real. We took a walk as the sun came up and prepared for what was going to be an unforgettable day.
Arriving at the venue I was immediately struck by the massiveness. The place is Mother Earth's drama carved straight into the sky. The boulders surrounding the pavilion seats are taller than Niagara Falls, as old as the dinosaurs and create a sound that nears perfection.
We stepped out on the stage, peered up into the stands that would hold 10,000 or so screaming fans later that evening. As we took it all in my mind floated to Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, U2 and R.E.M. and thought - "what it must be like to know you're the next to go out on that same stage."
After soundcheck Ben and I nearly ran (picture: child at Disney style skipping) around the venue to check the view from absolutely every angle. We snapped photos and videos (which I'll have to steal from him and share) and found ourselves in full awe of the other worldliness.
One of the things that made the day so special was the genuine kindness of the staff. They seem to know (and I don't think they were just high) that this sort of specialness doesn't happen often... for the band, the crew and every single fan that climbs those pavilion stairs.
As the sun began to set and the band took the stage, I asked the rising crescent moon to make the night go on forever. I'll certainly never forget that day - there's a spirit floating in the air above those rocks that seems to understand Plato's quote on music giving soul to the universe.
The next morning, or rather... a few short hours later I was on another 5 a.m. flight. No all night rock and roll parties in real life, no umbrellas and pink drinks and vacation days like one would think. The band was off to their next destination and I was off to mine. And each of us were ever changed from the experience.
Much love to this one, who not only gives me the opportunity to join in on the adventure, but has a calmness while traveling that makes even the not so glamorous moments so much fun.
xoxo,
Andi
