Apr
17

Backstreet Boys to Open Amphitheater

Raleigh_Amphitheatre_Rendering It was earlier presumed that the Paramore/Tegan & Sara show at Raleigh’s new downtown amphitheatre (which should be named the “Sir Walter Amphitheater”) would the venue’s first. Then news swirled this week about the Backstreet Boys coming to the facility. Sadly, the “band’s” website confirms this harsh new reality: the new facility will be christened by The Backstreet Boys on Sunday, June 6. Perhaps this kick-off event should be called the “Sir Walter Folly”.

Wouldn’t it be neat if another concert were slipped into that weekend so that it could be the kick-off event? Perhaps a local promoter ought to have a Raleigh Music Showcase on Friday featuring bands from all eras: Arrogance, Glass Moon, The Connells, Dillon Fence, Tift Merritt, Annuals. Just an idea.

So far there are 4 events on the venue’s schedule, but many more events will be named soon. Given that the facility is targeting the same supply and demand as Atlanta’s Chastain Park and Charlotte’s Uptown Amphitheatre, it doesn’t take too much creativity to figure we will also be getting acts like Hall & Oates with Todd Rundgren, The Gipsy Kings, ZZ Top, Jethro Tull, Jeff Beck, KC & The Sunshine Band with MC Hammer, Earth Wind & Fire, and the Bamboozle Roadshow. Some of those acts are hitting Atlanta and Charlotte earlier than “The Walt” will be ready, so the logistics may not work out the get them, but stay tuned!

  • http://ncsulilwolf.blogspot.com Lisa Jeffries

    No way.

  • Emily

    Is this a free show? If not, how do I get tickets? I’m so excited! I grew up listening to the Backstreet Boys but never had the chance to see them in concert. This will be a dream come true!

  • Maris

    Backstreet Boys!! Hell yea!!

  • Emily

    Nevermind my question. Looks like tickets go on sale 4/24 at 10am.

  • DPK

    Of all the bands they could have gotten for the opening… they had to get the Backstreet Boys? Really? Who is doing their marketing?

  • ball-z

    Backstreet Boys? This has Deep South Entertainment written all over it. Who’s in charge of letting those IDIOTS book live entertainment live (or dead, as it were) in/for this town? DAVE ROSE IS A MORON.

  • http://www.danamccall.com Dana

    Actually this is all Live Nation. They are promoting this tour in all of the mini sheds they are operating. They’ve done this kind of thing for years – make venues sign certain bands in order to get the biggies. So, these groups of concerts come as packages.

    Some decry the deal the city made with LN, however I don’t see the venue doing better without them. IIRC LN is not signing the Cary amphitheater any more, and they will really struggle to stay in the black while keeping a good mix of entertainment. I just hope that LN’s clinch on The Walt isn’t so tight that we can’t have any local productions there. Walnut Creek has been a VERY big-box, national chain strip shopping center equivalent with very little local flair whether its the acts on stage or the food in the courtyards.

    In fact, Dave Rose is the one I was hinting at in the middle of the article. I would LOVE for him to round up a mega reunion of older local bands mixed in with some of our really good current bands. That first weekend of Walnut Creek was fun…when the Connells headlined with Firehose and several locals opening.

  • Lew

    My goodness the “Backstreet Boys” … I guess Chuck Berry and Lou Graham were booked :)

    I like the rendering though. I think the amphitheater is a nice addition and should do well in making Downtown more alive!

  • http://www.raleighmsa.com Ernest

    Maybe we can see Black Sabbath and Judas Priest playing here, in a mini OzzFest :LOL: I will definitely be there ;)

Posted by Dana on April 17, 2010 | Tags: Downtown , Music . | ( 9 ) Comments

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