On March 8, 2025, the cool night air settled over Red Rocks as a fresh dusting of snow from the night before danced around the ankles of those attending Icelantic’s 13th Annual Winter on the Rocks. The sun set on the cityscape behind the stage and the rocks started vibrating with the sound of music for the first show of the year. What started as a chilly night ended as nothing short of an ultimate dance party under the stars.
Fans were layered up in true Colorado fashion, rocking fur coats, puffy jackets and fuzzy hats to battle the cold. Ski goggles and snow pants appeared because you never know when it comes to Colorado weather. Amidst the sea of bundled-up concertgoers, pops of neon, cheetah print and bold colors lit up the crowd, all moving in sync with the music. As it does each year, Winter on the Rocks proved that not even freezing temperatures can dull the magic of live music in this legendary setting.
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The Sponges kicked off the night with a lively set. Their high-energy performance blended disco and 70s funk with deep bass crimps, instantly igniting the crowd. From the first beat, the excitement in the air was undeniable, leaving the crowd with high expectations for the evening of a groovy night.
After a brief intermission, The Funk Hunters featuring the legendary Chali 2na took the stage. Together they created an irresistible fusion of funky basslines and old-school hip hop riffs. Their seamless blend of genres creates a rare sound that makes for a truly unique live experience. Chali 2na’s commanding presence and infectious energy kept the crowd moving in the cold, engaging the audience and ensuring hands stayed in the air, swaying with the beat all night long. They brought out a crew of incredible breakdancers who stole the show. Effortless flips, spins and gravity-defying stunts had the crowd roaring and matching with dance moves of their own.
Next up was Zingara, a rising star whose performance instantly earned her a spot on many new playlists. Mesmerizing doesn’t even begin to describe her set — her fresh, cutting-edge tracks blended beautifully with her ethereal beats, creating a truly immersive experience. Adding to the magic, she brought out skilled dancers whose fluid movements perfectly complemented the music. Midway through her performance, the night’s first lasers lit up the stage, met with ecstatic cheers from the crowd, gearing up for the headliner coming on next.
Gramatik has come a long way since releasing his first album in 2008, and after chasing him for many years, Red Rocks did not disappoint for my first ever show. He brought out a mixture of live elements, featuring Will Magid of Balkan Bump on the trumpet and a longtime collaborator, Stehreo (Adam Stehr) on the electric guitar. Together, all three of them created a legendary sound mixed with fast-paced visuals and lasers, that of course wouldn’t be complete without a couple bass drops.
Gramatik delivered some unforgettable moments of the night, especially when he dropped fan-favorite tracks like “Just Jammin’” and “Muy Tranquilo,” sending the crowd into a funky frenzy. The highlight of the night, though, was his performance of “As We Proceed” — the legendary collaboration between Big Gigantic, GRiZ, and Gramatik (Big GRiZMATIK). With Will Magid on trumpet crushing the horn solo, the energy was off the charts, making it a moment to remember. Stehreo joined him on the front of the stage to close out the song, adding to the production with smooth melodic plucks of his guitar strings.
The night ended spectacularly as green glowing beach balls rained down from the sky, bouncing wildly across the crowd and occasionally bashing into the unsuspecting fan. In a perfectly timed moment, Gramatik himself caught one mid-air, preventing it from hitting Stehreo as he played the final notes of the set. With all three performers coming together for an epic grand finale, they thanked the crowd for coming out and left the stage in a booming bass beat. It was the perfect culmination to an unforgettable night as Winter on the Rocks kicked off the 2025 Red Rocks season in style.