Political support helps Mile High Music Festival to fast recovery

By Don Frazier

The lineup for the upcoming Mile High Music Festival, July 19 and 20, extends far beyond national acts like The Black Crowes, Tom Petty and Heartbreakers, and The Dave Matthews Band to a number of Colorado politicians. Much of the state's political establishment, including the governor, Denver’s mayor, and two congressmen, has helped the festival gain credibility in its home market.

The reason: money. Economic development has emerged this season as a key driver behind many high-profile events. That’s why the typical setting of a big festival this season is less likely to be a bucolic retreat with campground and more likely to be an urban open space such as Chicago’s Grant Park (Lollapalooza), metro New York’s Liberty State Park (All Points West) and, now, a vast tract of prairie in a historically distressed industrial area near Denver.

The festival takes place a few weeks before Denver takes its place in the political spotlight when the Democratic National Convention comes to town in August.

Newly developed space for the Mile High Festival, the extensive grounds surrounding Denver’s pro soccer stadium, will accommodate more than 40 acts on five stages. There will be misting stations and tents—one the size of a football field—necessary amenities for this treeless desert prairie at high summer.

Mile High vaulted into prominence this season in a quick recovery from the collapse of its original plan to take place in a large but urban Denver public park. The resulting event is much more ambitious. The timing was perfect: a cadre of new Democratic officeholders saw this as a perfect way to spur investment. Festivals can be big business: Bonnaroo brings $14 million to rural Coffee County, Tennessee; The Austin City Limits Music Festival generates $27 million. With a capacity of 60,000, Mile High could be larger.

Putting on a festival of this size so near a major metropolitan area requires official cooperation—sometimes with leery partners. This time it was different, with all levels of government rushing to grant approvals, infrastructural support, and even enthusiasm.

As a result, a number of national acts have now chalked this event with no track record on their calendar; including moe, John Mayer, O.A.R., Steve Winwood, Michael Franti and Spearhead.

Growing pains there have been: the web site only recently came up. By now advance ticket sales are characterized as “strong and steady.” Ensuring receipts for Denver restaurants setting up in the food vendor area, this event is adopting a highly restrictive food and drink policy—a far cry from the days when festival time meant packing up the cooler.

Needless to say, there’s no camping out at this event. We'll have an upcoming "If You Go" report in Festival Preview with information on travel and lodging in this major city at the height of tourist season. Stay tuned.