Winter in Colorado isn’t just about fresh powder and après-ski parties—it’s also about braving the elements for one of the most epic concert experiences of the year. Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks is back, bringing world-class music to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre for another night of high-energy grooves, genre-bending bass, and icy mountain air.

This year’s headliner, Gramatik, is a master of weaving hip-hop, funk, soul, and bass into a seamless sonic journey that feels tailor-made for a crisp winter night under the stars. Beyond his music, Gramatik has always been one to push boundaries, becoming a pioneer in digital music distribution by making his entire discography available for free and even tokenizing himself with the GRMTK cryptocurrency. His Winter on the Rocks performance promises to be an electrifying blend of cinematic beats, deep basslines, and futuristic soundscapes, turning Red Rocks into a frozen dancefloor paradise.

Joining him is Zingara, a rising force in bass music known for her otherworldly sound and astral-inspired energy. Having already made waves at festivals like Electric Forest, Lost Lands, Okeechobee, and Bass Canyon, she brings a hypnotic presence to the stage, bending space and time with deep, immersive bass and ethereal melodies. Her breakout single “Astra” propelled her into the spotlight, and she continues to evolve, leading listeners on a journey through pulsating rhythms and mind-expanding soundscapes.

The night wouldn’t be complete without the funk-fueled energy of The Funk Hunters, a duo that seamlessly fuses classic soul, hip-hop, and house into an irresistible groove. Their ability to bridge the gap between old-school funk and modern bass music guarantees an infectious, high-energy set that will keep the crowd moving—no matter how cold it gets. Last year, they teamed up with fellow Winter on the Rocks opener, The Sponges, on their insanely catchy collaboration, “I Like 2 Party.”

If you’ve never been to a winter show at Red Rocks, here’s the deal: it’s cold. But it’s also one of the most surreal, breathtaking concert experiences you’ll ever have. With towering red rock formations dusted in snow, a skyline of city lights in the distance, and thousands of bundled-up fans dancing to funk, bass, and beats, it’s an unforgettable way to send off the winter season.

Pro tip: Layer up, bring hand warmers, and embrace the cold. You’ll forget about the temperature the second the music starts hitting. Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks isn’t just a concert—it’s a celebration of everything Colorado is about: adventure, music, and good vibes in the great outdoors.

Tickets for Winter on the Rocks 2025 can be found here. We had a chance to speak with Gramatik to discuss his longstanding relationship with Red Rocks, the inspiration behind his latest album, and future projects. Check out our conversation below!

[Rooster]: You’ve headlined Red Rocks numerous times in the past. And we know that every headline is always different from the last. What makes this ‘Winter on the Rocks’ set different? How does the magic of this winter setting influence your set, and what special vibe are you hoping to create for the fans?

 [Gramatik]: Everyone knows Red Rocks is one of those rare venues that’s magical all on its own, so every time I come here it really feels more like what special vibe does The Mountain have in store for us? All I hope for every time I return here is that the fans and I both leave having had a one of a kind experience that could only ever happen HERE. 

Ten years ago I played here in May when you’d probably expect decent weather, but not if you know Colorado! We wound up playing through a blizzard. Most people stayed through the weather, so I said “I’m gonna play until my gear dies or the city shuts us down, whichever comes first!” And the city came first that night. The fans dubbed the show Blizzmatik. Needless to say, it was an epic night to remember, one of the shows I’ll never forget. When you play as many shows as I do, it’s not easy to remember each individual show as it stands alone. But Blizzmatik is one of those shows I’ll remember for the rest of my life. 

What inspired the name ‘Aequoreus’ for your latest album, and how does the title reflect the music on the project?

Most of this album was produced while I was staying in my hometown on the Adriatic coast of Slovenia. It’s an ancient sea town where I grew up. I drew a lot of inspiration from the culture there, from my childhood, and ghost stories that have circulated the coast since medieval times. My hometown was built by the Venetians, it was part of Venice for over 500 years. 

Each track is a reference to the culture. “Tales from the Pirate Bay” is actually a reference to the fact that my town was known as the Pirate Bay back in the day, but most of my fans know that Pirate Bay has more than one meaning for me… 

Every track on this album is a nod to the sea in some way, including the album title itself which means “of the sea” or “pertaining to the sea” in Latin. 

Technology has clearly played a huge role in your journey—from file sharing to blockchain. How do you see these innovations enhancing your live performances, and are there any tech-driven surprises fans should look out for at ‘Winter on the Rocks’?

I’m always looking for fresh ways to bring my non-musical interests into my music and live sets.  Merging my interests is not only super enjoyable for me as I’m creating, but I strive to bring awareness to those things which inspire me, be it technological innovations, stand up comedy, the crypto culture, etc. 

Working with the same production team since I came to the states in 2009. They’ve been my Day One’s, my good friends. My first tour was their first tour and we grew up together in the touring industry. Their company is called Voyage and they’re Denver-based. They’re always the first people I call when Red Rocks calls me. 

With fourteen albums, multiple EPs, and a vast discography all available for free, how do you continuously evolve your sound while staying true to your roots in accessible, genre-blending music?

Honestly, I don’t really think about it that way I just keep making music every day and hope that I evolve and get better. It’s not a conscious decision to evolve my sound. If you’re doing it the right way, you’re getting better every day. (That even rhymes!) And in the process, you just naturally evolve and figure out new ways to approach your art without thinking about it. 

If you think about it too much you can get lost, overworked, and it can be detrimental to your progress. And most of the time it’s an ugly process, you know? There’s a lot of struggle involved in figuring things out that you haven’t figured out till now. It’s messy sometimes. 

Throughout your career, which artists or moments have most inspired your musical journey, and how do those influences come through in your live shows today?

When I was a kid, Snoop Dogg and Chemical Brothers and Garbage all came to Trieste, which is the next town over from my hometown, for a huge show. It was a one day festival organized by MTV. It was the first time I got to see major stars in a major festival scenario. I’d never been to a show like that up to that point, where it’s global superstars performing in my home region where 20,000 people came out to see them. That made a huge impact on me as a fourteen year old kid. Just the fact that we had access to a show of that scale in my region, and at that age, it left an impact on me. 

It was all the genres I was into at the time. Hip hop, electronic, grunge and indie rock. It was the first time I saw a blend of genres together on one stage. 

With every show I always hope I’m leaving similar impressions on someone, even if it’s just one person, I hope what we’re doing on the stage and what the production brings is something that transcends  

As you continue to break boundaries, what new projects or ideas are you most excited about for the future, especially with your innovative approach to content creation?

What I’m most excited about right now is a brand new project that I started with Stehreo, who’s my best friend and has been playing guitar live with me for the past many years. We started a duo during the pandemic and created an album that’s nearly complete. It’s the most mature music I’ve ever had the pleasure of producing. We haven’t decided on a name for the duo yet but the album is called “Always Somethin’”.

Cover Photo Credit / Chris Lavado