Blues Traveler first performed at Morrison, COs Red Rocks Amphitheatre in September of 1991 with Widespread Panic and Acoustic Junction. The band returned the following year with the Allman Brothers Band for a two-night stand from July 3-4, kicking off an Independence Day tradition at the famed Colorado venue that continues till this day (though the band cancelled its 1999 appearances at the venue when John Popper underwent angioplasty surgery).

In 1993, the group rolled into Red Rocks as part of the second H.O.R.D.E. tour and, in the years since, the band has returned over the holiday with the likes of God Street Wine, the Tragically Hip, Leftover Salmon, Agents of Good Roots, Govt Mule, Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise, Pete Yorn, Pat McGee Band, Howie Day, G. Love, Ziggy Marley, Donavon Frankenreiter Band, North Mississippi Allstars, The Wood Brothers, Johnny Lang, Girl Talk, Violent Femmes, Collective Soul and Live, among others. This year the band changed things up with support spots by Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and Lewis Black, the latter of whom first bonded with the band at Bonnaroo. In addition, DJ Logic spun between sets and took the stage for a freeform jam and You, Me & Everything. Longtime band friend Jono Manson also played guitar and song on a cover of the Jackson 5s I’ll Be There. Blues Traveler also nodded to Michael Jackson by teasing Billie Jean during Brother John. Blues Traveler will appear at Ventura, CAs Ventura Theatre this Wednesday.