Since he began making music, DJ Tyler Coombs has always pulled inspiration from nature.
His stage name, Of The Trees, is testament to that, and in much of his music, Coombs uses natural sounds that evoke the feeling of being outside. Things like sticks breaking, leaves crunching, brooks babbling and birds singing, which lend themselves to the melody-driven bass music Of The Trees has become known for. Some of those samples he even records himself.
This month, Coombs, who lives in Highlands Ranch, is preparing to level up the vibe and immerse his fans in nature, literally, with a two-night camping concert in Telluride. The event, called Camp Alderwild, takes place Aug. 22-23 at Telluride Town Park and it is a realization of a dream Coombs has had for many years.
“I’ve been wanting to do a curated event outside in nature for a long time. We’ve been mulling over the idea for quite some time, waiting for the perfect venue and, for me, it was seeking out the ability to kind of create what I find to be a picture-perfect event,” he said.
That vision depended first on finding the right location. In fact, Coombs said he turned down several venues as he sought to throw the inaugural festival. It’s a good thing he did. In early 2025, Telluride unexpectedly became an option as Lyons-based production company Planet Bluegrass gained approval from the town council to throw a one-off music event. Camp Alderwild will be the first large-scale EDM concert in Telluride since 2016, when Pretty Lights played the same venue.
In May, Coombs visited Telluride for the first time to scout the festival grounds and found it to be the apt backdrop for his first Camp Alderwild – a place where the music and stage production could compliment the scenery instead of distract from it.
“I want this to be a magical experience,” Coombs said. “I’ve had so many life changing experiences within events located inside of a beautiful natural environment that I just want to replicate that for the attendees.”
That ideal also shaped the other artists he invited to fill out the bill. EDM acts Jade Cicada, Tycho, Ott., Eprom, Taiki Nulight, Thought Process (live band), Air Castles and Curra join Of The Trees on the main stage in Town Park over the two days. Additionally, acts like Detox Unit, Buku, LYNY, Freddy Todd and more will play after parties and ancillary events at venues around town throughout the weekend.
“Everybody that’s performing creates something that I think lends itself to such a beautiful location,” Coombs said. “It kind of goes back to wanting to create something immersive and complimentary to the natural environment as opposed to just taking a party and sticking it there. Everything was super intentional about it.”
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the inaugural Camp Alderwild, according to preliminary ticket sales. And while Coombs expects the festival will relocate in future years, he doubts this will be his last time in Telluride.
“I think I am going to be hyper fixated on it once this weekend’s over because I know it’s going to be so awesome,” he said.
Camp Alderwild comes to Town Park, at 500 E. Colorado Ave. in Telluride, from Aug. 22 to 23. The event starts at 5 p.m. each day. Tickets cost $111.34-$224.24 for single day access and $218.02-$443.80 for two days. Find tickets and more information at campalderwild.com.