Stone-Cold Blues: Joe Bonamassa Turns Red Rocks into a Cathedral of Tone

After more than a year without touring, Joe Bonamassa’s two-night return to Red Rocks Amphitheatre was always going to be special. But the Monday night performance on August 9, 2021 — the second in his back-to-back stand — delivered more than a repeat show. It was a deliberate, blues-heavy counterpart to the rock-leaning set he performed the night before, and it demonstrated why Bonamassa remains one of the most respected guitarists in the world.

A Return Marked by Gratitude

The night began not with a chord, but with nostalgia — the Welcome Back, Kotter theme playing over the PA as the crowd settled in among the sandstone monoliths. Dressed in his trademark tailored suit and sunglasses, Bonamassa stepped into view with a wide smile and greeted the packed amphitheatre:

“I never thought I’d see this again!”

That single line summed up the significance of the night. For Bonamassa, for his band, and for the 9,000 fans in attendance, it was not just another concert — it was a celebration of live music’s return after the long shutdown caused by COVID-19.

Setlist Designed for the Faithful

Where the previous night’s show leaned into his more rock-oriented material, August 9’s setlist was crafted for deep fans of the blues. Opening with Evil Mama, the band moved through Love Ain’t a Love Song and Lookout Man! before slowing the pace for a stirring version of Midnight Blues — Bonamassa’s tribute to the late Gary Moore. The song’s extended bends and measured phrasing drew one of the loudest ovations of the night.

Other highlights included:

• Pain and Sorrow, featuring a Hendrix-flavored solo with flurries of sustain and feedback control.
• Lonely Boy, which began with a brief delay due to an amp failure — quickly covered by keyboardist Reese Wynans, who improvised blues fills until the issue was resolved.
• The Ballad of John Henry, complete with Bonamassa’s now-signature theremin segment and powerhouse vocals from backup singer Jade McRae.

Notably absent from this tour was Bonamassa’s horn section, giving the arrangements a leaner, more guitar-forward sound.

The Band at Work

Bonamassa’s lineup for the 2021 Red Rocks shows featured a seasoned crew:

• Reese Wynans (keyboards) — Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and former member of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble.
• Greg Morrow (drums) — delivering tight, driving grooves all night.
• Michael Rhodes (bass) — providing steady low-end anchor.
• Jade McRae (backing vocals) — whose voice soared during call-and-response sections and harmonies.

The chemistry between players was evident, from seamless handoffs between guitar and keys to dynamic swells that filled the open-air venue.

Closing Under the Stars

For the encore, Bonamassa shifted gears into the percussive acoustic showcase Woke Up Dreaming, his right-hand technique a blur of precision picking. From there, he strapped on an electric for Robert Johnson’s Cross Road Blues, delivering a muscular, modern take on the Delta classic.

The sky above Red Rocks was hazy from distant California wildfires, lending a surreal light to the amphitheatre. But the crowd — part of a combined 16,000 across the two nights — stood, cheered, and lingered even after the band exited, unwilling to let the moment end.

More Than Just Another Show

Bonamassa’s August 9 set wasn’t a career-defining night because of gimmicks or surprises — it stood out because it was rooted in connection. Between the post-pandemic return, the historic venue, the curated setlist, and the unfiltered musicianship, the concert captured something many feared might have been lost: the communal electricity of live blues, played loud, under an open sky.