King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard | Colorado Springs | 8.8.25
Mountains, Music, and Madness! King Gizzard with the Colorado Symphony.
If you were at the Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs for King Gizzard, chances are you’re still buzzing—and if you weren’t, well, let’s just say you missed something truly special. For the first time, Empire West finally got to see KGLW live, and they were nothing short of spectacular. Pairing their kaleidoscopic rock sound with the Colorado Symphony, conducted by the brilliant Sarah Hicks, the night became an otherworldly collision of chaos and elegance that will live rent-free in our heads for a long, long time.
The moment the opening notes hit, the crowd exploded with energy, a sea of fans who knew every twist and turn of the Gizzverse. And these weren’t just casual listeners—this was a passionate, electric community that elevated the entire experience. Their voices, their energy, and their sheer joy made the amphitheater feel alive in a way only a Gizz crowd can.
The moment the opening notes hit, the crowd exploded with energy, a sea of fans who knew every twist and turn of the Gizzverse. And these weren’t just casual listeners—this was a passionate, electric community that elevated the entire experience. Their voices, their energy, and their sheer joy made the amphitheater feel alive in a way only a Gizz crowd can.
Setlist highlights had everyone talking: the pulsing drive of Rattlesnake slithered perfectly into the sweeping grandeur of Gamma Knife, while Iron Lung became a sprawling jam session that flexed the band’s improvisational muscle. The new album, Phantom Island, got its share of the spotlight too, and I can’t stop looping it since. Hearing those fresh tracks woven into the night, especially with the symphony behind them, made them feel instantly timeless.
Visually, the night was just as unforgettable. The sunset painted the Rockies behind the stage, and as the music swelled, it felt like nature itself was part of the show. The photos we captured are easily some of our all-time favorites—they don’t just show a concert, they tell the story of a night when everything came together: music, mountains, fans, and magic.
Visually, the night was just as unforgettable. The sunset painted the Rockies behind the stage, and as the music swelled, it felt like nature itself was part of the show. The photos we captured are easily some of our all-time favorites—they don’t just show a concert, they tell the story of a night when everything came together: music, mountains, fans, and magic.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard didn’t just play Colorado Springs—they owned it. And with the Colorado Symphony at their side, they reminded us that music can be both wildly unpredictable and beautifully orchestrated. For everyone there, it wasn’t just a concert. It was a memory carved in sound, light, and community.
(Rating: 5/5 – Pure energy, pure magic!)
(Rating: 5/5 – Pure energy, pure magic!)