Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater debuts new seats for Après at The Amp music festival this weekend
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Après at The Amp returns to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater this weekend, bringing Tiësto, Purple Disco Machine, LP Giobbi, BUNT., and more to Vail for two nights of electronic and house music April 10–11. Festival audiences will be the first to experience brand-new pavilion seating, installed as part of the first phase of the amphitheater’s ongoing $19 million transformation.
The seating replacement is part of a multi-year renovation designed to enhance the guest and artist experience at one of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor venues as its programming continues to grow. Originally installed in 1983, the pavilion seats had reached the end of their usable lifespan. The newly installed seats feature upholstered cushions, cup holders, and a myrtle green color designed to complement the surrounding alpine landscape.
“We are so excited for guests to experience these new seats for the first time,” said Dave Dressman, Vice President of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. “This is going to be a big upgrade for our audiences, and it is just the beginning of what’s to come for The Amp. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Vail for an unforgettable start to the season.”
More improvements ahead
The seating installation, along with concrete repairs, fresh paint and no-slip texturing, an expanded production booth, and new hand railings, rounds out the first phase of the venue transformation.
By May 2028, the venue will also feature remodeled and expanded concessions, green room and dressing room enhancements, box office upgrades, a new multi-use studio and special event space, expanded storage, and improvements to lighting, acoustics, and office spaces.
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Taken together, the full $19 million renovation will position The Amp to attract the most iconic artists in the world while meeting artist, production, and guest needs across a season that will regularly span April through October. The upgrades will increase diverse programming by 25% during the peak summer months and improve food and beverage operations, strengthening Vail’s standing within Colorado’s competitive live entertainment landscape and ensuring that the Bravo! Vail Music Festival and Vail Dance Festival maintain their positions as world-renowned classical music and dance festivals.
The upgrades are part of the Vail Valley Foundation’s Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign, a $74 million initiative supporting arts, athletics, education and community support services across the Eagle River Valley. More information can be found at empower.vvf.org.
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