The Red Rocks of Texas? New White Rocks Venue Planned
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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June 22, 2026 @ 10:57 am
The Gorge has a terrible schedule this year, I heard it’s under new ownership. Its a wonderful venue we have in the NW, just hope they attracts more acts next year.
June 24, 2026 @ 1:13 pm
Live Nation have actually owned and operated it for the past two decades.
That said, I do agree their event calendar has been boring and interchangeable for a while now, as well as woefully underutilized. Chris Stapleton is the ONLY act scheduled throughout July, and the only event scheduled throughout August is an EDM festival known as Bass Canyon. I can’t help but feel a venue as iconic as the Gorge Amphitheater should have more scheduled events than that, and certainly more variety as well.
June 22, 2026 @ 1:19 pm
Would really be nice if they could bottle that Colorado weather also.
June 22, 2026 @ 1:52 pm
Is it going to be a venue where anyone can play? Or would UMG artists take precedence?
June 22, 2026 @ 7:11 pm
So the Backyard returns?
June 23, 2026 @ 6:19 am
From these pictures, it looks like it will be a very ugly looking complex. How about fitting the architecture to work into the beautiful hill country? Use some colors or styles to reflect the environment.
Looks like buildings you’d see along any interstate.
Red Rocks is so beautiful because it really fits into the nature of the area.
June 24, 2026 @ 1:17 pm
“White Rocks” somewhat resembles that Sydney Opera House-esque ballpark they’re currently constructing in Las Vegas for the A’s eventual relocation.
At least with the A’s future ballpark it has some distinct post-modern design touches. This just looks very synthetic and clinical as opposed to something that blends in with the surrounding geology and scenery.
June 24, 2026 @ 7:18 am
Cmon. Red Rocks is really a one of one type setting. Don’t sell it as Red Rocks. Everyone knows Red Rocks. The comparisons won’t age well. Just let it stand on its own 2 feet, if it can. The renderings don’t do anything for me, but I’m sure others will dig it.
June 24, 2026 @ 7:22 am
They really are setting unrealistic expectations with that name that the might find hard to live down. It’s Texas. We love to over-glorify stuff down here. People think Marfa is like Aspen.
June 24, 2026 @ 7:27 am
“Every thing is bigger and better in Texas…”
June 24, 2026 @ 9:18 am
Can’t wait for the $50 parking, $20 beers, and platinum seat pricing. Music venues are neck and neck with the airlines on who can extract the most cash from your pocket.
June 24, 2026 @ 1:07 pm
People seem unaware of where this is… it will cause extensive traffic on an already increasingly congested road through the hill county. The noise, the lights, the requirement to discharge wastewater into an environmentally sensitive area… all of these things should be considered over just thinking this is another big music venue. Chis Milam is the developer, and his company IDM has dropped the ball on completing projects properly multiple times, and he’s simply calling it this because the original project he proposed got rejected. He’s been banned from doing business in certain cities, facing lawsuits. He absolutely dropped the ball on rebuilding “The Backyard” which has simply sat as an unoccupied construction area for years. This guy is a massive grifter and manipulator, not to mention he’s been accused of sexual assault as well as exposing himself to children. This project should not be allowed to go through and anyone concerned about our hill county should reach out to TCEQ to have them stop the waste water permit from being accepted. .
June 25, 2026 @ 10:17 am
I have lived in Austin for over 50 years. This idea is worse than terrible putting it in a nature preserve. It should be located east of Austin in an area that is not environmentally sensitive.
July 1, 2026 @ 8:36 am
we sadly don’t require addition of turnoff lane or entrance lanes when new subdivisions or businesses build adjacent to these local highways. hwy620 is testament to proof we just add another traffic light. What was only a few lights now is miles of traffic lights with no merging or exit lanes and gridlock. I’m watching the same exact process happen along 71 from Oak hill to spicewood. in 20yrs, 71 will look like 620 all the way to Marble Falls. If this thing’s built with similar road ingress/egress, it will likely $fail as a concert venue