In Pictures: Dierks Bentley Celebrates Inaugural Seven Peaks Music Festival

Dierks Bentley and live entertainment company Live Nation ascended 8,000 feet for a seminal experience this weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2), launching the inaugural Seven Peaks Music Festival. Set against the mountain view in Buena Vista, Colorado, fans traveled from 49 states and as far as Australia, coming together for three days of one of the most-uniquely curated festival lineups this year.

“It’s going to take a few days, maybe weeks, for me to process that Seven Peaks actually happened, and happened at the highest possible level,” said Bentley. “Everything about this journey was so special, from the initial seed of an idea, to the last song sung on Sunday night. I couldn’t be more proud of the team that came together to create this, and the fans that adopted the festival so quickly and easily, and have made it their own. Without a doubt I can say this festival is at the very top of any career achievements I’ve had.”

“It’s been a long journey to get to this day, when we can say the inaugural Seven Peaks Music Festival is under wraps,” said Brian O’Connell, President of Country Touring at Live Nation. “We wanted everything about this festival to be unique and so that meant that no stone was left unturned. I’m so proud of Dierks, his team and my team for this weekend. From the vibe, to the setting, to the first-class music, it is one we won’t ever forget.”

As fans and artists arrived on Friday (Aug. 31), Bentley greeted campers as they arrived to the site, and as the first day of music began he spent the day hopping up on stage, joining Sawyer Brown for a crowd-raising rendition of “Some Girls Do,” as well as a special version of “Killing Time” with Clint Black. Bentley’s own Hot Country Knights also took to the stage, followed by a late night DJ set by AYDAMN at the festival’s Whiskey Row Stage.

Bentley joined fans for Saturday’s (Sept. 1) “Somewhere On A Beach Party,” a daytime gathering set within the campgrounds. As a second day of music got underway, Bentley collaborated with Whiskey Row Stage artist Rapidgrass, and main stage artists Kiefer Sutherland, Sam Bush and Brothers Osborne. Headliner Miranda Lambert brought the night to a close with a hit-filled set.

On Sunday (Sept. 2), Bentley performed his headlining show, and invited many friends to join him including LANCO’s Brandon Lancaster, who hopped up on stage for John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold,” while Trombone Shorty accompanied Bentley on “Mardi Gras.” Elle King returned to the stage for “Different For Girls,” while The Travelin’ McCourys and Trombone Shorty joined for a unique spin on Johnny Cash’s “Jackson” and Avicii’s “Wake Me Up,” closing out a memory-filled Labor Day weekend.