If there is a venue whose grandeur is truly fit to host the Yardburst, it is the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This site, with its stunning natural majesty, is famous for its impressive red rock formations and exceptional acoustics. It is an iconic open-air concert venue, cherished as much for its beauty as for its unique atmosphere. On the weekend of May 10, 2025, it was in this renowned quarry that the Yardburst could resonate, in the hands of Marcus King, Drew Smithers, and J.J. Julius Son of Kaleo.

The red rocks of Red Rocks have hosted, over the decades, many artists now considered major figures in history. The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, U2, Radiohead, and BB King are just a few names that write the impressive story of concerts at Red Rocks.

It was in this breathtaking space that Kaleo celebrated on May 10 the release of their latest album titled “Mixed Emotions”. Accustomed to stunning settings (after performing on a glacier and then at the edge of an erupting volcano), the Icelandic band chose this legendary venue to present their album. As a true enthusiast of American music and culture, who better than the Marcus King Band to accompany this truly special performance?

A longtime friend of both artists, Matt’s Guitar Shop made the trip to Colorado to cover this exceptional event. What better way to mark their presence in such a historic place than by bringing one of the most important instruments of recent decades? The team arrived at Red Rocks accompanied by the Yardburst.

The 1959 Gibson Les Paul of Jeff Beck, a true flagship of his career with the Yardbirds, subsequently played by Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix, has experienced many vicissitudes that mark the life of legendary instruments. Aware of its immense heritage, Matt’s Guitar Shop has since its acquisition strived to have it played by the greatest current artists—those inspired, marked, influenced, and moved by Jeff Beck’s prodigious genius.
This guitar embodies much of what makes an instrument legendary. The Yardburst has entered the realm of legendary instruments, surpassing its already grand status as a 1959 Burst.

After lending it to Craig Ross for the European tour of Blue Electric Light with Lenny Kravitz, it was fitting to have it played at Red Rocks by two very talented artists. Marcus King had made the Bataclan vibrate in November 2024 with one of Freddie King’s Gibson ES-355 guitars. This weekend was left to the Yardburst…

The magic of this guitar was thus able to resonate in this exceptional venue, made of red rocks and an astonishing legacy! The story of this guitar continues to be written, and we are proud to be part of several of its chapters.