With construction of Grand Rapids’ riverfront amphitheater well under way, Local Spins asked a key project player last summer about bands he’d like to see on stage when it opens in 2026 and much more.
In Acrisure Amphitheater’s Future? Greta Van Fleet, at left, and Billy Strings are Michigan stars on a potential wish list. (Courtesy Rendering/Local Spins Photos)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Our countdown of Local Spins’ top stories of 2024 continues today with our June interview with Rich MacKeigan, executive director of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority. He talked about many aspects of the much-ballyhooed riverfront amphitheater set to open in 2026, including his own wish list of potential performers. So, who would you like to see play the new venue?
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Ascending to universal popularity and following in the footsteps of Michigan icons such as Bob Seger, up-and-coming stars Greta Van Fleet and Billy Strings are changing the musical landscape while celebrating their Great Lakes State roots.
That’s why Rich MacKeigan, who grew up in Canada embracing Seger’s Motor City-driven rock, would love to see these Mitten State heroes play a role come 2026 in christening the much-ballyhooed, $184 million Acrisure Amphitheater being built along the Grand River downtown.
“Having a heavy focus on … some of the newer Michigan artists, I think would be spectacular,” said MacKeigan, executive director of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority and regional general manager for ASM Global which oversees operation of Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall (and the new amphitheater).
Rich MacKeigan (Photo/Local Spins)
“The other thing is they might be more willing to give the market and venue a shot becuase it’s Michigan. … So I am hopeful that we get some good Michigan content to get things started. And then it’s about what’s hot, what’s out there.”
To complement Michigan’s robust summer music festival scene, MacKeigan also envisions future opportunities for dynamic urban festivals utilizing the new 12,000-seat amphitheater, proposed soccer stadium and newly developed open spaces in the downtown area (especially after voters approved an Aug. 6 referendum on a Kent County hotel tax increase — from 5 percent to 8 percent — that will help provide funding for the soccer stadium as well as some amphitheater enhancements).
“I think the amphitheater — especially with the soccer stadium — now presents a very unique opportunity for Grand Rapids to have a kick-ass festival in an urban environment rather than a rural environment,” he said.
“The concessions that are being designed right now for the amphitheater will allow for standalone events to happen on the street side … without coming inside the amphitheater. The backside of the berm is going to provide another park-like environment right along the river. So if we’ve got a show, it’s going to be a great B-stage or tailgate party.
“Because it’s the urban environment, think about the cool factor of grabbing a beer at Founders (Brewing), but then also being a block from the festival at the amphitheater. I’m hopeful that becomes part of our annual programming. I think that’d be pretty spectacular.”
Another View: Artist rendering of the amphitheater.
He also said he expects the Grand Rapids Symphony to play a role in performing at the new amphitheater, which could also host a variety of community events such as graduation ceremonies and other gatherings.
Other snippets from that interview:
• Financing: “You’ve got the city, the county and the state as partners. You’ve got Acrisure as a monster partner, donating $30 million to the project.”
• Booking touring bands: “The reality is an artist is making a decision (on an outdoor shed tour) a couple of years out. … It means they can play Grand Rapids (now). So that is going to be spectacular just from an entertainment offering perspective. People of Michigan, especially West Michigan, love being outdoors in the summertime. So I think it’s just going to add an elevated experience to a big concert vibe that doesn’t exist today.”
• Live Nation and ASM Global’s involvement in the amphitheater: “I look at it as the amphitheater will have the benefit of having the best of all worlds. ASM as a global operator brings expertise and already has staff locally, Live Nation from an amphitheater perspective … has best practices from other amphitheaters and they’ll bring that to the table. I really think the talent, the employees, the community are all going to be the benefactors of that relationship.”
Scroll down for more of the interview as part of that weeks Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast. Local Spins will delve deeper into that discussion with MacKeigan — as well as other officials involved in the Acrisure Amphitheater (including Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington) — and explore details of the project in future stories and podcasts.
While on the subject of Michigan music festivals, the late June radio show also featured several acts performing at the Smiling Acres Music Festival in Trufant (Pocket Watch, i.am.james, May Erlewine), Black Squirrel Bluegrass & Americana Music Festival in Albion (Alex Teller) and Dam Jam in Calumet (Stormy Chromer).
The show also featured fresh tracks by Phabies, Kait Rose, Sean Anthony Sullivan, Overdrive Orchestra and music from Michigan artists mentioned by MacKeigan: Bob Seger, Greta Van Fleet and Billy Strings (a collaboration with Cris Jacobs on “Poor Davey”). Listen to the show — which spotlights Michigan music at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays at WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org — here.
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (6/28/24)
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