Getting their acts together: Les Schwab Amphitheater, Live Nation promise more shows, events
(Update: adding video and more information)
Partnership, years in the making, comes into view amid venue upgrades
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- You could call it a "musical act" four years in the making -- a new partnership that promises to entertain more Central Oregonians in coming years -- starting this summer, in fact.
The Les Schwab Amphitheater, the 20-year-old riverfront music venue in Bend’s Old Mill District, and Live Nation Entertainment, which bills itself as "the world’s leading live entertainment company," announced Wednesday they have agreed on "a historic partnership," saying the move will bring more music and events to the High Desert than ever before."
“We’re ecstatic,” Marney Smith, general manager of the amphitheater, said in a joint news release. “The depth of knowledge and expertise the Live Nation team has brought to the table has been invaluable. We’ve had the opportunity to work with their experts in every aspect of the live event industry. The end result will allow us to provide an even better live experience at the venue, and ensures that the amphitheater remains a cultural and music hub connecting artists and fans for years to come.”
The partnership between Les Schwab Amphitheater and Live Nation has been talked about for four years and is now becoming a reality. The venue ended its 19-year relationship with its previous promoter, Monqui Presents of Portland.
Smith told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday that the new partnership will bring a lot more shows to the venue.
If the upcoming season is an indication of that, she’s right.
Usually, the amphitheater has had about a dozen shows each year. But this season, close to 25 shows are planned -- though starting later than normal, as the shifting sands of COVID-19 requirements (and a renovation project) have delayed things a bit.
“Socially distanced will not necessarily work at our venue," Smith told NewsChannel 21. "We will follow the state guidelines for masks and vaccinations, as soon as we know what that is. We are hoping for clarification sometime soon.”
The first show is expected to take place Aug. 12 with the reggae rock band Rebelution. Employees will be required to wear masks and be vaccinated, Smith said.
Here's the rest of the news release:
The Live Nation partnership began with venue renovations, including upgrading the stage to accommodate larger productions and increasing accessibility throughout the venue in Phase I, which will be complete before the concert season kicks off in August. Additional upcoming upgrades will include more accessibility features, box seating, and improved lines of sight for guests, as well as refreshed food and beverage options.
“From our first visit, we could feel the heart of the venue and we knew we could help bring even more shows to Bend,” said Sherri Sosa, president of Venue Nation U.S. “More shows means more amazing memories for artists and fans along the river, as well as more jobs and support going back into the local community. Live Nation is excited to add to an already strong team and take the venue to the next level, without changing the spirit of what makes the place great.”
Built in 2001, the Les Schwab Amphitheater hosted its first ticketed shows in 2002, and for the past decade has averaged more than a dozen concerts a year. In 2021, the Amphitheater’s 20th anniversary, the 8,000-person capacity venue has already announced 14 shows, with more concert news coming soon.
In addition to a more diverse and robust show lineup each year, Central Oregonians will also see an expansion of the Amphitheater’s popular “Locals’ Deal.” Concert tickets purchased in person at the Ticket Mill in the Old Mill District will have a reduced service fee, similar to years past, but now there will no limit on the number of Locals’ Deal tickets. Additionally, a variety of VIP seating options, including season tickets in private cabanas and small groups, are available. For more information, visit www.bendconcerts.com.
Concert announcements and event news will continue to be promoted through BendConcerts.com. Shows booked for the 2021 season include:
August 12 - Rebelution
August 13 – Mt. Joy/Trampled by Turtles
August 15 - Dierks Bentley
August 18 - Primus
August 21 - Old Dominion
August 26 - Dirty Heads/Sublime with Rome
September 6 - Death Cab for Cutie
September 8 - Dave Matthews Band
September 18 - NEEDTOBREATHE
September 26 - Lord Huron
September 30 & October 1 - Luke Bryan
October 3 - My Morning Jacket
October 7 - 311/Iration
Tickets are on sale now. Continue to check in at BendConcerts.com or follow Les Schwab Amphitheater’s various social media accounts for upcoming news and announcements.
About the Les Schwab Amphitheater
The Les Schwab Amphitheater is an independent, outdoor riverfront amphitheater built in Bend, Oregon’s historic Old Mill District in 2001. Since its first season in 2002, the Amphitheater has hosted more than 1 million guests at the venue for ticketed and free concerts, brew festivals and races. The venue currently accommodates 8,000 patrons for concerts and other events, which includes some of the biggest names in entertainment and the second-largest brewfest in the Northwest. Learn more at www.bendconcerts.com.
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
