Colorado's live music line-up this summer is bigger than ever. From blues on a train to a concert series in the mountains, plus a brand new Denver event, the state has a festival for all ears.

1. Durango Blues Train (1st – 2nd June & 17th – 18th August)

Tucked away in the old mining town of Durango in the Animas River Valley, visitors board a train to experience this moving festival that steams down the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Beginning in downtown Durango, music fans can enjoy two bands and four solo artists performing live blues on-board as the train journeys through the San Juan National Forest. Concert-goers are able to move freely between carriages on the train, which includes two coaches of free music. This year the line-up features Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Amanda Fish and Left Lane Cruiser amongst others. Ticket prices are $119 per person.

www.thisisgala.co.uk/ www.durango.org / www.colorado.com

2. The Grandoozy, Denver (14th – 16th September 2018)

Music lovers listen up. The Grandoozy – a brand new music festival – is taking place in Denver, Colorado from 14th – 16th September 2018. Festival-goers can expect an exciting mix of home-grown Coloradoan artists alongside a diverse set of international names. Having just announced an impressive inaugural line-up, featuring headliners Kendrick Lamar, Florence and the Machine, and Stevie Wonder, the festival cements the mile high city as a live music destination. The creators of this new festival, Superfly, are the masters behind Outside Lands in San Francisco and Bonnaroo in Tennessee, so visitors can expect big things from The Grandoozy. Tickets for three-day general admission are $224.50.

www.grandoozy.com / www.denver.org / www.colorado.com

3. Red Rocks Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series (May – October)

The Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is a world-famous outdoor concert venue located approximately 30 minutes from Denver. The only naturally-occurring acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world, Red Rocks is recognised for its star-studded concert roster from May to October, as well as its awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park Amphitheatre gives visitors incredible views across the Rocky Mountains, with performances taking place under a star-studded night sky. Some of the artists performing at the amphitheatre this summer include Bryan Adams, Imagine Dragons, Jason Mraz and Paramore. Ticket prices vary for each concert, from $32 per person.

www.redrocksonline.com/concerts-events/calendar / www.visitdenver.com  / www.colorado.com

4. ARISE Music Festival, Loveland (3rd – 5th August 2018)

The ARISE Music Festival features three days of music, yoga and workshops at Sunset Ranch in Loveland. Surrounded by national forest, sweeping vistas and meadows, the landscape is the perfect setting for festival-goers to be inspired by music and nature alike. Running for its sixth year, the diverse festival features seven stages of live music, as well as art galleries and installations for visitors to explore. Slightly Stoopid and Thievery Corporation have been confirmed as headliners for 2018 with more to be announced in the next month. ARISE Music Festival is known for its bold and progressive sustainability initiatives, including an organic farmer's market on-site, a leave-no-trace ethos and promising to plant one tree for every ticket sold. A three-day pass is $229 per person with children under 12 gaining free entry.

www.arisefestival.com / www.visitlovelandco.org / www.colorado.com

5. Vail Jazz Party (30th August – 3rd September 2018)

The Vail Jazz Party features 11 sessions of music over the course of four days and is the grand finale of the Vail Jazz Festival which takes place throughout the summer. With a jam-packed line-up of 35 headliners, including John Clayton, Lewis Nash and Terell Stafford, the crowd is set to be wowed during the Labor Day weekend event. Evening session tickets are $75 per person and include entry to multiple sets of music and the Late Night Jam Sessions.

www.vailjazz.org / www.visitvailvalley.com / www.colorado.com

6. Snowmass Free Concert Series (9th June – 16th August 2018)

This summer, the Snowmass Free Concert Series is returning for its 27th season, showcasing reggae, soul, funk and rock genres. Kicking off on 9th June – alongside the Snowmass Rendezvous Craft Beer Festival – The Drunken Hearts will open the show, welcoming a summer of talented musicians. Following the opening concert the rest of the series will take place over ten consecutive Thursdays, where festival-goers will be treated to performances from various artists, including the Spin Doctors and Southern Drawl Band. Snowmass will continue to provide music throughout the summer with the JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience (31st August – 2nd September), featuring performances from Jack Johnson, Zac Brown Band and the legendary Lionel Richie.

www.gosnowmass.com / www.colorado.com

7. Telluride Blues & Brews Festival (14th – 16th September 2018)

The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is a three-day celebration of live music and microbrews held at the base of stunning 13,000-foot mountain peaks. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the festival continues to offers an eclectic mix of live blues, funk, jam, rock, gospel and soul performances, coupled with some of the best local microbreweries in the country. The historic mining town of Telluride will see Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Gov't Mule and Booker T's Stax Revue amongst other acts performing at the festival. A three-day pass is $200 per person.

www.tellurideblues.com / www.visittelluride.com / www.colorado.com

Colorado's summer festivals have never been more accessible to music fans from the UK, following United's seasonal direct daily flight from London Heathrow to Denver which launched this spring. The flight follows hot on the heels of Norwegian's three-times-weekly service from London Gatwick to Denver which launched in September 2017, from £179 each way.

Colorado is a year-round destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational activities, an abundant arts scene, Western heritage, distinctive cuisine and 25 renowned ski resort areas. The state's diverse landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of four major rivers, numerous peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 11 national parks and monuments and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet, known as 'Fourteeners'. Colorado is the gateway to the West with direct flights from the UK to Denver served by British Airways, Norwegian and United, as well as indirect with Icelandair.

Further information can be found at www.colorado.com

Consumer social media handles www.facebook.com/coloradoukireland & www.twitter.com/coloradoukeire

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For further press information contact:

Chloe White chloe@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6383 

Polly Beech polly@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6359 

Sarah Barnett sarah@blackdiamond.co.uk / 020 7845 6378