60 events per year that average 11,112 sold tickets per event at an average of $147 per ticket. What a very optimistic assumption. Almost downright unbelievable.

Yeah, pretty much no ****ing way that will ever happen.

60 events per year that average 11,112 sold tickets per event at an average of $147 per ticket. What a very optimistic assumption. Almost downright unbelievable.

"Fairy tales can come true, they can happen to me, they can happen to you".

Lots of eyebrow raising instances while looking through their marketing materials. - Signed, a securities attorney that specializes in laws and regulations surrounding the marketing of securities offerings.

60 events per year that average 11,112 sold tickets per event at an average of $147 per ticket. What a very optimistic assumption. Almost downright unbelievable.

The BOK Center last year ranked as the number 26th large concert venue in the US and 36th in the world with 415,000 tickets sold. Each of these Sunset Amphitheaters are going sell 50% more tickets than the BOK? They are all going to be in the ~20 venues in the world? What?

https://tulsaworld.com/life-entertainment/local/music/report-bok-center-among-worlds-top-concert-destinations/article_0370caae-983f-11ee-9aee-a7dd243cbe58.html

Well if you're promoting well (and dont try to have winter events) then you can push events in and out of these places like a conveyer belt. Not nearly the overhead of an arena, but also not the same capacity. It's a different group of events though as well. Top 20, no I dont think so either. But compared to the crap that is the Zoo Amphitheatre, I do think we're going to be surprised at the number of events (and what they are) with these places. And I'm also gonna bet that whatever OKC gets, Tulsa will also get....and vice versa.

^You can certainly push events in and out, but will 11,000 people show up for each one? A lot of the random events and shows at other events are sparsely attended. They often only make money on the days with bigger performers - and like others are pointing out, most larger indoor venues would have trouble putting up the numbers they are projecting. Would you guys be excited to go to an ampitheatre show in the current weather? Firepits and awnings only go so far.

Plus you have to consider the competition aspect. There's room in the market for this, but they will still have to compete with Paycom, Criterion, the Zoo, Dallas, and Tulsa. There aren't that many big acts to go around between all these places. I mean, not at the 11,000+ tickets level, and the indoor arenas are probably their first pick.

Ultimately the numbers they are putting out are nonsense. The investors will probably lose on this investment, but at least they'll get plenty of concert tickets and the overall business will succeed.

The $147 ticket price appears to apply to the fire pit suites only. With annual ticket revenue projected at ~$30.6M (per pro forma income statement), the average ticket price for all tickets would only be ~$46 at estimated attendance levels. I agree the attendance projection is optimistic, but the average ticket price seems reasonable.

Detailed seating chart (BA):
https://imgur.com/peVPg5I

Seating chart legend (BA):
https://imgur.com/ncS9Vmb

^You can certainly push events in and out, but will 11,000 people show up for each one? A lot of the random events and shows at other events are sparsely attended. They often only make money on the days with bigger performers - and like others are pointing out, most larger indoor venues would have trouble putting up the numbers they are projecting. Would you guys be excited to go to an ampitheatre show in the current weather? Firepits and awnings only go so far.

Plus you have to consider the competition aspect. There's room in the market for this, but they will still have to compete with Paycom, Criterion, the Zoo, Dallas, and Tulsa. There aren't that many big acts to go around between all these places. I mean, not at the 11,000+ tickets level, and the indoor arenas are probably their first pick.

Ultimately the numbers they are putting out are nonsense. The investors will probably lose on this investment, but at least they'll get plenty of concert tickets and the overall business will succeed.

This is all speculation by me, so take it for what it's worth.....

I dont think the Zoo will keep the amphitheater. I've always felt bad that we have something that loud, that near the animals too. It's really a weird thing to have on zoo grounds. And it's a complete and total pile.

No, i dont think they will have 11k people for every event, and for that reason, i dont think arenas are what they are going to compete with. You are not going to find a Taylor Swift concert at this venue. But you may see more folks that may have previously hit the large casino market or just that level down from the big arena players. Personally, i see this as for tier 2 acts in the concert world. Maybe a Diamond Ballroom competitor or some of that and a bit larger. I'm thinking with the general admission folks being more in the 20-30 per person, maybe 50 since it's new. It wont be as cheap as the zoo because, well for one thing, you get an actual seat and dont have to bring yours with you LOL.

Look no further than Walmart AMP in Rogers, AR for the type if shows this will be getting. Hozier, Greta Van Fleet, Parker McCollum, HARDY, Hootie and the Blowfish, Styx/Foreigner, NKOTB, 3rd Eye Blind, Sammy Hagar, Creed, Melissa Etheridge. The capacity at Walmart AMP is 10,500.

Frost Bank Center in San Antonio is another good comparison with 11,700. Bret Kreischer, Drake, Wynona Judd, Oak Ridge Boys, Cheap Trick, Randy Rogers Band, Chris Young, Big and Rich, Tom Segura, Jim Gaffigan and Blink 182, just to name a few.

Look no further than Walmart AMP in Rogers, AR for the type if shows this will be getting. Hozier, Greta Van Fleet, Parker McCollum, HARDY, Hootie and the Blowfish, Styx/Foreigner, NKOTB, 3rd Eye Blind, Sammy Hagar, Creed, Melissa Etheridge. The capacity at Walmart AMP is 10,500.

Frost Bank Center in San Antonio is another good comparison with 11,700. Bret Kreischer, Drake, Wynona Judd, Oak Ridge Boys, Cheap Trick, Randy Rogers Band, Chris Young, Big and Rich, Tom Segura, Jim Gaffigan and Blink 182, just to name a few.

Interesting, I have no desire to see any of these, regardless of what type of place they play.

Interesting, I have no desire to see any of these, regardless of what type of place they play.

I mean, take any band of that ilk and size, fanbase-wise. That's who they could get. But a bunch of bands skip OKC because a 10k to 12k venue isn't available without getting an arena involved, which is very likely more expensive.

Interesting, I have no desire to see any of these, regardless of what type of place they play.

I would go to see Hootie, Creed and the comedy shows, but that's about it. But, I am not sure I am the target market.

Interesting, I have no desire to see any of these, regardless of what type of place they play.

But if you did, the good news is that a lot of those bands have already played or are scheduled to play in the OKC market.

Just saw a TV commercial seeking investors for this project.

Chad Henning, former Dallas Cowboy, was featured and said he bought a firepit suite.

It was actually seeking investors for both OKC and Tulsa.

Just saw a TV commercial seeking investors for this project.

Dan Henning, former Dallas Cowboy, was featured and said he bought a firepit suite.

It was actually seeking investors for both OKC and Tulsa.

This is such a cool and very much needed venue. As much as I hope it all gets completed, I still don’t love the site. Can you imagine this thing next to new soccer stadium and connecting the river and lower Bricktown? They could extend the canal to go to the Amp, stadium, and we’ll also have the Dream Hotel and towers across the street. That would be an amazing thing and would also bring OKANA closer to BT/DT areas. This would be a home run in my opinion.

Throw in amazing aquarium and even better. I would also love to see that tall Oil Rig tower or some sort of novelty (space needle, oil rig, etc) type thing that would be another draw. I’m telling you, if this were to happen the tourism in this state would soar to new levels. Throw in a casino (world class vegas type) and we’d be shooting for the moon and this city will be talked about around the country in a whole different light. Love the progress this city is making and it’s on the verge on becoming a boom town perhaps. Now expand the airport and attract more company relocations then we have more than arrived.

This is such a cool and very much needed venue. As much as I hope it all gets completed, I still don’t love the site. Can you imagine this thing next to new soccer stadium and connecting the river and lower Bricktown? They could extend the canal to go to the Amp, stadium, and we’ll also have the Dream Hotel and towers across the street. That would be an amazing thing and would also bring OKANA closer to BT/DT areas. This would be a home run in my opinion.

Throw in amazing aquarium and even better. I would also love to see that tall Oil Rig tower or some sort of novelty (space needle, oil rig, etc) type thing that would be another draw. I’m telling you, if this were to happen the tourism in this state would soar to new levels. Throw in a casino (world class vegas type) and we’d be shooting for the moon and this city will be talked about around the country in a whole different light. Love the progress this city is making and it’s on the verge on becoming a boom town perhaps. Now expand the airport and attract more company relocations then we have more than arrived.

Name cities that have downtown amphitheaters? I will wait. Most, if not all, don't, and they are located in the burbs. That kind of noise pollution is hard to have downtown. Not everything has to be downtown, especially this. Indoor venue, sure! But a 12k outdoor venue is a hard, hard no for downtown. Just my opinion. Boston, Portland, Austin, Chicago, Detroit, NYC, San Fran, LA, etc. all have suburban locals for their outdoor amphitheaters for a reason. They are not a spur of development. Just an item on a master plan.

Name cities that have downtown amphitheaters? I will wait. Most, if not all, don't, and they are located in the burbs. That kind of noise pollution is hard to have downtown. Not everything has to be downtown, especially this. Indoor venue, sure! But a 12k outdoor venue is a hard, hard no for downtown. Just my opinion. Boston, Portland, Austin, Chicago, Detroit, NYC, San Fran, LA, etc. all have suburban locals for their outdoor amphitheaters for a reason. They are not a spur of development. Just an item on a master plan.

If noise pollution is a consideration then Yukon/Extreme west OKC is a terrible spot to put it. I'm sure those surrounding neighbors are going to raise hell as soon as they announce a construction date just like what is happening with the Colorado Springs location. Looking at some of the top amphitheaters, they are often buried into a hill or have some other scenic backdrop that allows people to escape the hustle and bustle of a large city. These spots seem to be often just outside or on the very edge of the suburbs.

Was having a conversation about developments I did not think were actually going to happen (mainly the tower of babel but this came up as well with the downtown soccer stadium announcement) and the person I was having the conversation with was adamant that this was happening and claimed the Tulsa location had already hired an engineering firm and he knew someone working on it.

Just saw a TV commercial seeking investors for this project.

Chad Henning, former Dallas Cowboy, was featured and said he bought a firepit suite.

It was actually seeking investors for both OKC and Tulsa.

I got a really nice pitch packet in the mail a couple months ago too. I wonder if they have to meet a certain presale of these firepit suites before they start construction?

Broken Arrow has selected Live Nation to be the operator of their amphitheater. I wonder who OKC will get. Hopefully Live Nation will do both (very possible), since they organize all the major summer tours. But who knows.

I hope that location isn't further along than OKC's. Tulsa is already ahead of OKC (not by as much as before) in terms of quality music venues. If they get this before OKC, then it would be truly damaging to this project being successful, in terms of bringing in shows.

Broken Arrow has selected Live Nation to be the operator of their amphitheater. I wonder who OKC will get. Hopefully Live Nation will do both (very possible), since they organize all the major summer tours. But who knows.

I hope that location isn't further along than OKC's. Tulsa is already ahead of OKC (not by as much as before) in terms of quality music venues. If they get this before OKC, then it would be truly damaging to this project being successful, in terms of bringing in shows.

OKC has Paycom, Criterion, Civic Center (very occasionally), Tower, Jones Assembly, Beer City Music Hall, Resonant Head, whatever 89th St. is called now, Blue Door, OCCC (very occasionally), Zoo Amp, Diamond, and maybe a few others I don't know about or forgot to include. Note that not all of those are really "quality music venues", but they are booked pretty well in terms of number of dates occupied.

I'm not as familiar with Tulsa, they have Cain's, BOK Center, and ...?

OKC has Paycom, Criterion, Civic Center (very occasionally), Tower, Jones Assembly, Beer City Music Hall, Resonant Head, whatever 89th St. is called now, Blue Door, OCCC (very occasionally), Zoo Amp, Diamond, and maybe a few others I don't know about or forgot to include. Note that not all of those are really "quality music venues", but they are booked pretty well in terms of number of dates occupied.

I'm not as familiar with Tulsa, they have Cain's, BOK Center, and ...?

Cain's puts them ahead of OKC. Huge bands play there for fun (Foo Fighters played there a couple years ago). Tulsa also has the Tulsa Theater (formerly Brady Theater, but changed for...reasons) that gets shows on par with the Friterion (which hasn't announced many new shows recently).

OKC has improved a lot. Not denying that at all. But not having a 10 to 12k amphitheater limits us drastically, especially in the summer. Rogers, AR gets better concerts than OKC. And if Tulsa gets this before OKC, then that chasm, especially in the summer, will get worse between OKC and Tulsa.

Again, OKC has come a long way. But a major amphitheater is something sorely needed. Being on I-35 helps even more for that Houston, DFW, KC route. An extra date here would be easy.

Cain's puts them ahead of OKC. Huge bands play there for fun (Foo Fighters played there a couple years ago). Tulsa also has the Tulsa Theater (formerly Brady Theater, but changed for...reasons) that gets shows on par with the Friterion (which hasn't announced many new shows recently).

OKC has improved a lot. Not denying that at all. But not having a 10 to 12k amphitheater limits us drastically, especially in the summer. Rogers, AR gets better concerts than OKC. And if Tulsa gets this before OKC, then that chasm, especially in the summer, will get worse between OKC and Tulsa.

Again, OKC has come a long way. But a major amphitheater is something sorely needed. Being on I-35 helps even more for that Houston, DFW, KC route. An extra date here would be easy.

I think you’re thinking of Green Day playing at Cain’s, not Foo Fighters.

Name cities that have downtown amphitheaters? I will wait. Most, if not all, don't, and they are located in the burbs. That kind of noise pollution is hard to have downtown. Not everything has to be downtown, especially this. Indoor venue, sure! But a 12k outdoor venue is a hard, hard no for downtown. Just my opinion. Boston, Portland, Austin, Chicago, Detroit, NYC, San Fran, LA, etc. all have suburban locals for their outdoor amphitheaters for a reason. They are not a spur of development. Just an item on a master plan.

The only one I can think of is Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville. One of the best in the country, imo

I think you’re thinking of Green Day playing at Cain’s, not Foo Fighters.

Oh, oops, my bad. Good catch.

OKC has Paycom, Criterion, Civic Center (very occasionally), Tower, Jones Assembly, Beer City Music Hall, Resonant Head, whatever 89th St. is called now, Blue Door, OCCC (very occasionally), Zoo Amp, Diamond, and maybe a few others I don't know about or forgot to include. Note that not all of those are really "quality music venues", but they are booked pretty well in terms of number of dates occupied.

I'm not as familiar with Tulsa, they have Cain's, BOK Center, and ...?

It's really just one of those legacy arguments in the never ending Tulsa v. OKC contests. Not many venues of its size garner as much (well earned) veneration as Cain's does, and, as such, it gets and will continue to get some very special engagements, but in terms of number of viable music venues and total bookings in each market, there's not much difference anymore and one could argue OKC has more at this point. In terms of number of tickets sold and gross sales, the two markets kind of bounce around in the rankings in the range of 30s to 50s each year. For example, in 2021 Pollstar had Tulsa at #45 and OKC at #59. For 2022, those basically flipped with OKC at #42 and Tulsa at #62. Looking at the raw numbers, it seems both markets were under reported as a a whole and, obviously, the industry was still ramping back up after covid in 2021, so take any of that data with a bunch of grains of salt, but it's the only market comparison I can find from an industry source.

Bison mentioned the Tulsa Theater as comparable to the Criterion, but the Criterion capacity is actually about 40% more than the Tulsa Theater, mainly because I think its still all fixed seating (I haven't been there in years, so I could be wrong). I think both are under utilized, but even with its larger capacity, Criterion had about 3 times as many events as the Tulsa Theater last year by my rough count (granted I did not take time to discern between comedy and music).

Jones Assembly is slightly smaller than Cain's, but is not run exclusively as a venue, and of course, will never have the history of Cain's, but it's had some heavy hitters and I think it's curated very well. I probably go there and the Tower most frequently with 2-3 shows at the Criterion most years.

Not sure what in Tulsa compares in size to the Tower (about 850 with the balcony) or the Diamond (aprox 1000 capacity), but, yeah, at this point, when taken as a whole, there is no "chasm" to speak of. I don't think I've ever been to anything in Tulsa in the 500 and smaller capacity range like Beer City, 89th, or Resonant Head, but all three of those stay pretty busy as far as I can tell.

Whether these amphitheaters would substantially change the volume of bookings and ticket sales in each market or simply cannibalize from other venues during the outdoor concert season remains to be seen. Certainly, their own projections suggest a big impact, but there are a lot of variables that have to line up for that to come to fruition. Sometimes it just comes down to who is on tour and how many dates they're doing. Neither market is really an "every tour" market for any size show at this point.

I'd imagine OKC's version of this would be managed/operated by Live Nation, as well, simply because they're being set up by the same enterprise and Live nation handles like 3 times the volume of the next promoter / operator, AEG Presents. That being said, maybe a different partnership would produce more variety in the market as a whole, as Live Nation already has a presence through other partnerships.

These are the main large venues in Tulsa that have regular concerts:

BOK Center up to 19,000
The Mabee Center up to 10,000
Tulsa Theater - 2,800
The Joint at Hard Rock - 2,700
The Cove at River Spirit - 2,500
The PAC - 2,365
Skyline Events Center at Osage Casino - 2,000
The Cains - 1,800
The Shrine - 500
The Vanguard - 500

Other places have shows less often, like Oneok field, Chapman Stadium, the Broken Arrow PAC and Cox Business Center and there are a number of bars that have national touring acts, like Maggies in Jenks, Soundpony and Mercury Lounge

I forgot about the casino theaters.

Does the Mabee Center book concerts on the regular? It's right in the capacity range of the amphitheaters.

I didn't mean to make it a vs debate. Just that having 2 amphitheaters that close will be a detriment to one of them. So being first will matter.

I didn't mean to make it a vs debate. Just that having 2 amphitheaters that close will be a detriment to one of them. So being first will matter.

That's fair. Sorry for misrepresenting your intent.

I mainly wanted to point out that both markets' concert industries as a whole perform similarly. I also think that if one outperforms the other by being first to market with one of these, it would only be reflected in that year. And, if only completed in one market, the other market has many viable venues already performing similarly. I think the impact of a dedicated outdoor concert venue of this size is more about an alternative format for bookers and concert goers than it is about missed bookings. Many of the examples given of acts that play similar venues as what's proposed in other markets have played in OKC and/or Tulsa during those same touring cycles, just at different types of venues.

Don't get me wrong. These, as proposed, would be nice additions to any market's portfolio of venues and would probably have a net positive effect on bookings. But, I don't see how they would create a chasm between markets and certainly not effectively double the current bookings of that size within either market.

I forgot about the casino theaters.

Does the Mabee Center book concerts on the regular? It's right in the capacity range of the amphitheaters.

They have one concert a month or so. They are of course limited in who they will allow to book.

These are the main large venues in Tulsa that have regular concerts:

BOK Center up to 19,000
The Mabee Center up to 10,000
Tulsa Theater - 2,800
The Joint at Hard Rock - 2,700
The Cove at River Spirit - 2,500
The PAC - 2,365
Skyline Events Center at Osage Casino - 2,000
The Cains - 1,800
The Shrine - 500
The Vanguard - 500

Other places have shows less often, like Oneok field, Chapman Stadium, the Broken Arrow PAC and Cox Business Center and there are a number of bars that have national touring acts, like Maggies in Jenks, Soundpony and Mercury Lounge

This is helpful perspective. Anyone with knowledge care to list the OKC comps? I am not trying to stir a Tulsa v. OKC debate but genuinely curious how OKC stacks up in terms of available attendance across all our venues.

This is all speculation by me, so take it for what it's worth.....

I dont think the Zoo will keep the amphitheater. I've always felt bad that we have something that loud, that near the animals too. It's really a weird thing to have on zoo grounds. And it's a complete and total pile.

I probably would be of the same opinion, but I took my then 7-year old daughter who is in both violin lessons and dance to a Lindsey Stirling concert with Walk Off the Earth as the opening act (and they were fantastic) last August. We had a blast. And of course what a small world. To our left was a lawyer I've litigated against and behind me was someone I've played in orchestras with on and off for the last 20+ years. OKC is such a small world.

The tickets were affordable, and I'm sure the shabby nature of the place helps keep costs down. I doubt it costs a fraction of what it costs to put on a show in an indoor arena in August--and I'll bet when the temperature is topping 90 degrees after dark, their drink sales have to be off the charts compared to indoor arenas and stages.

The stage itself has absolutely nothing wrong with it. I'm sure the performers were not absolutely thrilled to be performing in that heat, but they were definitely professionals about it.

I mean.. sure.. Taylor Swift won't play there. I guess that's correct, but if a venue makes money and packs them in while simultaneously keeping costs very low, I don't really see how you could be correct. I think the Zoo Amphitheater is here to stay.

This is helpful perspective. Anyone with knowledge care to list the OKC comps? I am not trying to stir a Tulsa v. OKC debate but genuinely curious how OKC stacks up in terms of available attendance across all our venues.

Paycom - 17,000
Zoo Amp - 7,000
Criterion - 4,000
Civic Center - 2,500
Jones Assembly - 1,600
OCCC - 1,000
Diamond - 1,000
Tower - 1,000
Beer City Music Hall - 500
Resonant Head - 250
89th St - 200
Blue Door - 100

I rounded up or down to the nearest 100 or so from what I found on the internet.

There are others.. I actually played OCCC Tuesday night. It's a very nice hall. Very modern amentities.

Northwest Classen has a pretty good venue, sits at least 1,000 people. It's not run by OKCPS, it has some sort of separate management. The Edmond high schools all have good venues as does Rose State, UCO, OU. There's a *really* nice concert hall out on Waterloo called the Armstrong Auditorium. I mean spectacular, and IMHO, it's a better venue than the Civic Center, but for the out-of-the-way location. I play a nutcracker show at the Yukon MS auditorium--not a fancy venue by any means, but the pit is big enough for a 60-ish piece orchestra and the stage is nice enough for a professional ballet production.

There are always smaller venues like the Blue Door which come and go. Back in the 90s/early 2000s, I played lots of gigs in bars in Bricktown, at the Boars Head Tavern (now the French Market Mall, that was a cool stage) and had a regular thing at the Split T Bar.

I'll tell you that from being a small part of it, the live music scene in OKC is vibrant. We have a lot of talented local musicians and we bring in some amazing out of state talent. We may not have broadway style shows running every night, but if you watch the stuff coming into town, whether you're wanting to hear a Mahler symphony or attend an ICP concert, the local music scene will provide.

Paycom - 17,000
Zoo Amp - 7,000
Criterion - 4,000
Civic Center - 2,500
Jones Assembly - 1,600
OCCC - 1,000
Diamond - 1,000
Tower - 1,000
Beer City Music Hall - 500
Resonant Head - 250
89th St - 200
Blue Door - 100

I rounded up or down to the nearest 100 or so from what I found on the internet.

Paycom is larger than that for concerts isn't it if done center areana. BOK is only 13,644 regular concerts.

There's also the Auditorium at Douglass (750).

From the Paycom Center website:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/paycom012624a.jpg

Live Nation will operate the Sunset amphitheater in Broken arrow ..

https://tulsaworld.com/life-entertainment/local/music/live-nation-selected-as-operator-of-planned-broken-arrow-amphitheater/article_d2f81c48-bb7e-11ee-81da-a7324af2ca2b.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Tulsa_World&fbclid=IwAR0zZ65XKxQulfyTbIYUYCMG6bukWFe2E7jnWDqPc r9VfYodrr14anqu8Dk

There's also the Auditorium at Douglass (750).

I've played that hall too. It's a nice place!

I've played that hall too. It's a nice place!

That's cool. It's a nice intimate venue and sounded great when I went.

There's also the Auditorium at Douglass (750).
Also the Hudiburg Center at Rose State (https://www.rose.edu/content/news-events/event-centers/rose-state-college-hudiburg-chevrolet-center) (1400) a VERY nice room that has hosted (among others) Martina McBride, Dave Chappelle, Clint Black, and David Sedaris. I saw the Avett Brothers there maybe a decade ago and its in my top 2-3 Avett Brothers shows I've seen. I've seen this band in particular around ten times, with my favorite show being (naturally) at Cain's.

The Lloyd Noble Center and Catlett Center on the OU campus, plus Opolis in Norman should all be included in OKC metro venues, I think. LNC and Catlett have their ebbs and flows, though I'm not sure whether that is driven by the university or by promoters. But in the past LNC specifically has featured the very biggest arena acts of the day.

As far as Opolis goes, it is now owned by different folks than the couple who started it, but just like them (members of Starlight Mints) the new owners are also local musicians. Haven't been to a show there since the change in ownership, but I've heard a few folks sing their praises. If they can keep Opolis alive and performing as it did for a couple of decades previously, it would remain one of the most important venues in the metro for touring artists who are emerging and even on the cusp of breakout. Much like Conservatory/89th, that room has historically punched WAY above its own weight classs.

Also the Hudiburg Center at Rose State (https://www.rose.edu/content/news-events/event-centers/rose-state-college-hudiburg-chevrolet-center) (1400) a VERY nice room that has hosted (among others) Martina McBride, Dave Chappelle, Clint Black, and David Sedaris. I saw the Avett Brothers there maybe a decade ago and its in my top 2-3 Avett Brothers shows I've seen (I've seen this band in particular around ten times, with my favorite show being (naturally) at Cain's.

The Lloyd Noble Center and Catlett Center on the OU campus, plus Opolis in Norman should all be included in OKC metro venues, I think. LNC and Catlett have their ebbs and flows, though I'm not sure whether that is driven by the university or by promoters. But in the past LNC specifically has featured the very biggest arena acts of the day.

As far as Opolis goes, it is now owned by different folks than the couple who started it, but just like them (members of Starlight Mints) the new owners are also local musicians. Haven't been to a show there since the change in ownership, but I've heard a few folks sing their praises. If they can keep Opolis alive and performing as it did for a couple of decades previously, it would remain one of the most important venues in the metro for touring artists who are emerging and even on the cusp of breakout. Much like Conservatory/89th, that room has historically punched WAY above its own weight classs.

Weird Al played at RSC! Also, Bruce Dickenson of Iron Maiden did his "speaking solo" show there.

Also the Hudiburg Center at Rose State (https://www.rose.edu/content/news-events/event-centers/rose-state-college-hudiburg-chevrolet-center) (1400) a VERY nice room that has hosted (among others) Martina McBride, Dave Chappelle, Clint Black, and David Sedaris. I saw the Avett Brothers there maybe a decade ago and its in my top 2-3 Avett Brothers shows I've seen. I've seen this band in particular around ten times, with my favorite show being (naturally) at Cain's.

The Lloyd Noble Center and Catlett Center on the OU campus, plus Opolis in Norman should all be included in OKC metro venues, I think. LNC and Catlett have their ebbs and flows, though I'm not sure whether that is driven by the university or by promoters. But in the past LNC specifically has featured the very biggest arena acts of the day.

As far as Opolis goes, it is now owned by different folks than the couple who started it, but just like them (members of Starlight Mints) the new owners are also local musicians. Haven't been to a show there since the change in ownership, but I've heard a few folks sing their praises. If they can keep Opolis alive and performing as it did for a couple of decades previously, it would remain one of the most important venues in the metro for touring artists who are emerging and even on the cusp of breakout. Much like Conservatory/89th, that room has historically punched WAY above its own weight classs.

the Armstrong Auditorium is very very nice and seats 823

I can vouch for the Opolis still being as relevant as ever to the OKC music scene under new ownership. In fact, I would opine that the Weirder Wednesday series hosted there is arguably the most important monthly music event in the Metro.

the Armstrong Auditorium is very very nice and seats 823

I agree with how nice it is. But, unless something has changed, there is no alcohol there which is a drawback for some.

I agree with how nice it is. But, unless something has changed, there is no alcohol there which is a drawback for some.

There aren't metal detectors. If you feel so strongly, I guess you could bring a flask. That said, whether you are seeing the Canadian Brass or the random touring orchestra, I'm not sure how alcohol would enhance the experience.

From the Paycom Center website:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/paycom012624a.jpg

I don't know why this struck me and l'm sure there is a good explanation but how would capacity for a 360 concert be less than for basketball?

OCU also has auditorium

Hudson Performance Hall is big and very nice. Performed on that stage in high school.

There aren't metal detectors. If you feel so strongly, I guess you could bring a flask. That said, whether you are seeing the Canadian Brass or the random touring orchestra, I'm not sure how alcohol would enhance the experience.

I think mushrooms are a much better choice than alcohol for sure.

I don't know why this struck me and l'm sure there is a good explanation but how would capacity for a 360 concert be less than for basketball?

Right. I think BOK Center lists 360 concert as MORE than the basketball seating.

I don't know why this struck me and l'm sure there is a good explanation but how would capacity for a 360 concert be less than for basketball?

The suites may not be available for concerts, unless the owner is interested in whatever act is playing. There also might be some section not used to support the productions.

Just saw a TV commercial, the one with Matt Pinnell.

Note in the first rendering, there is now a huge embankment at the back (west side) of the facility. There have been so many versions not sure if this represents the final plan.

Pinnell's quote: "Truly a game-changer for the state. It's going to give us the opportunity to show off Oklahoma to the world."

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sunset012824a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sunset012824b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sunset012824c.jpg

I have not followed this closely and this may have been discussed - but is this on land owned by Sam Khoury?

I have not followed this closely and this may have been discussed - but is this on land owned by Sam Khoury?

Yes, it is part of his Mustang Creek Crossing development.

Thanks Pete - I assumed with Carol Hefner’s involvement that was the case but wasn’t sure.

It seems so bizarre to have a government official endorsing an OKC amphitheater when the same company has plans to build a very similar one in Broken Arrow.

It seems so bizarre to have a government official endorsing an OKC amphitheater when the same company has plans to build a very similar one in Broken Arrow.

I should have mentioned the ad was for both OKC and Tulsa.