The Red Rocks Amphitheater near Morrison, Colorado is one of the most iconic locations to witness music in the world. Fans from around the United States and the globe trek to Red Rocks to see their favorite performers there. Only rivaled in stature by The Gorge Amphitheater in Washington State, or maybe the comparatively tiny Laurel Cove Amphitheater in Kentucky, there are few if any other outdoor venues that can match the majesty of Red Rocks. But leave it to Texas to try.
A rumored new outdoor venue near the area of HWY 71 and Southwest Parkway in Austin’s Bee Caves suburb has been buzzing for some years now in an area that mixes residential neighborhoods with a Hill Country natural preserve in the topographically rich portion of Central Texas. Now they’ve finally unveiled the plans for what they hope to be a destination venue similar to Red Rocks, and even will include a similar name.
The proposed White Rocks Amphitheater will include a 10,000-seat open-air amphitheater overlooking 10,000 acres of Texas Hill Country preserve. The name comes from the limestone hills and bluffs that make up the landscape west of Austin that used to be the shallow bottoms and seashore of the ocean in a different era. The development would include 71 total acres that would also incorporate a 150-room hotel, and 600 private condominium residences in multiple buildings.
The ties to the music industry and the development are strong. The full development is being called “UMusic Hotel & Private Residences Austin.” It is being proposed in partnership with the Universal Music Group. The property will also include an indoor performance venue, professional recording studios, a nightclub, bar, restaurants and dining options, a comedy club, and wellness center.
Environmental concerns have dogged development of the property in the past, with a proposed “Violet Crown” concept with a 20,000-seat venue and six total 6-story condo buildings facing headwinds from water use and sewage concerns. Cutting the capacity of the amphitheater in half, and going from six condo building to a proposed three might be what finally sees the deal go through.
But if the vision for White Rocks is realized, will it really rival Colorado’s 9,500-capcity Red Rocks, or the 27,000-capacity Gorge in Washington? Probably not. As beautiful as the landscape of the Texas Hill country is, especially compared to the relatively flat surrounding portions of the state, it’s not going to meet the grandeur and views of Red Rocks.
However, a new 10,000-capacity amphitheater in Austin with adjacent recording studios and other music infrastructure would definitely be an upgrade for the music scene in Central Texas, and potentially help continue to keep performers within the Texas ecosystem.
Central Texas already has other amphitheaters, including the 5,000-capacity Moody Ampitheater in downtown Austin, as well as the 14,000-capacity Germania Insurance Amphitheater at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) east of Austin. But as the recent lagging ticket sales for Willie Nelson’s upcoming 4th of July Picnic at Germania attest, the lack of shade, exorbitant prices, poor parking, and other issues have made it an unfavorable venue for music fans.
Texas can experience extreme weather, making outdoor events difficult, especially in the warmer months. But giving fans of Texas music and touring acts from around the globe another option to see their favorite performers in a world-class venue will only bolster Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World.
Construction on the White Rocks Amphitheater is expected to commence in 2027, with a debut by 2028 or 2029, and final completion of the greater development by 2030.
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