MORRISON, Colo. — Big Head Todd and the Monsters wrapped up their 40th anniversary celebration with a second sold-out night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sunday, but it was the opening set that sparked the most double takes.
Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers took the stage first—yes, that Bill Murray—and what started as curiosity quickly turned into a genuine, blues-driven statement. With respected guitarists Albert Castiglia and Mike Zito at his side, Murray led the band through a set of raw barroom blues and loose, soulful grit. No skits. No wink to the crowd. Just raspy vocals, harmonica licks, and a surprisingly dialed-in presence that turned a novelty into a highlight.
The Warren Haynes Band followed with a masterclass in musicianship. Haynes, a cornerstone of Southern rock through his work with Gov’t Mule and the Allman Brothers Band, leaned into long-form guitar passages and soul-saturated vocals, pushing Red Rocks into its familiar, jam-heavy pocket. Songs like “Soulshine” felt timeless under the stars, delivered with restraint and weight.
But the night ultimately belonged to Big Head Todd and the Monsters, who returned to the iconic stage with the kind of quiet authority only a seasoned band can carry. Formed in Boulder in 1986, the Monsters have made Red Rocks a ritual—Sunday marked their 37th headlining appearance—and their latest performance didn’t try to outdo their history. Instead, it honored it.
With no need for spectacle, the band delivered a tight, deliberate set rooted in the blues-rock traditions they’ve always carried. Todd Park Mohr’s guitar tone was unmistakable—smoky, sharp, and clean—and his vocals cut through with understated power. Tracks like “Broken Hearted Savior” and “Bittersweet” came early, grounding the set in fan-favorite familiarity, while deeper cuts and moments of improvisation added texture without indulgence.
No anniversaries were shouted out. No long-winded monologues. Just a band, four decades in, still sounding like themselves—and still sounding good.
Scroll on for a full photo gallery from the night.
Images by: Jason Alfaro of Right Eye Media, LLC.