The invite-only Contractor Appreciation Music Fest with 9 regional acts will unfold the weekend before the official May 15 opening. Today, take a new video and photo tour of the amphitheater.
SCROLL DOWN FOR AMPHITHEATER TOUR IN VIDEO AND PHOTOS
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When Lionel Richie, The War and Treaty and Brian Vander Ark play the first “official” concert at Grand Rapids’ new Acrisure Amphitheater on May 15, they won’t be the first bands to christen the $184 million, 12,000-seat outdoor venue.
A private “Contractor Appreciation Music Festival” with nine regional bands performing will take place on May 9 at the amphitheater for invited family and friends of contractors and construction crews who have worked on the project over the past two years.
The Rockit King, Stolen Horses, Domestic Problems, Edison Kitt & The Strangers, Par-Llo Connection, Half Ton Band, Pioneer All-Star Band, Bergsma Family House Band and Rachel Horter will play short sets on the big stage along the Grand River downtown during this inaugural event, with a fireworks display capping off the evening.
All of the bands performing have some connection to host Pioneer Construction or the many contractors involved in the project, with the event serving as a test run for amphitheater operations, concessions, ticketing, security and other functions.
Thrilled to Play the Amphitheater: Jessie Beveridge and The Rockit King. (Courtesy Photo)
“It’s a run-through before the real events start to work the bugs out, get systems in place and dialed in before it counts,” said Chistopher Kallemeyn, vice president of operations for Pioneer Construction.
“It’s not a public event. It’s limited to ticket requests from participating contractors. We have over 50 different contractors that worked on building the amphitheater.”
That amphitheater hosted a media tour this morning, showing off the new venue’s stage, amenities and other features with a few weeks of final touches to complete. Scroll down to view photos and take a video tour of the entertainment complex. (There have been dramatic changes on the site since Local Spins first toured the amphitheater in February.)
With more than 1,200 workers who have participated in the project, Pioneer has handled more than 9,000 requests for free tickets for the private festival from contractors, ensuring a robust crowd for the May 9 event that starts at 5:30 p.m. with opening remarks and a ceremony, followed by live music at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 10:30 p.m.
Jessie Beveridge of the Grand Rapids rock outfit The Rockit King said band members “are super-excited to be a part of the first Acrisure party.”
Beveridge has worked on the project for the past year “setting all of the ornamental metals: stairs, rails, gates, ladders. This is subjective, but the amphitheater is the coolest thing that’s ever been built here in Grand Rapids.”
Kallemeyn noted that Pioneer Construction owner, president and CEO Tim Schowalter wanted to sponsor an event to thank all of the contractors and workers involved, while also showcasing local bands on the amphitheater stage.
“This has cost him quite a bit of money out of his pocket,” Kallemeyn said. “He’s stepping up to the plate to show this appreciation of the local contractor community but also supporting the local music scene. He wanted to make this about (those workers) who’ve spent the last two years of their lives here, and show off their work to their friends and family.”
The family-friendly event will include self-guided venue tours and a full slate of concessions, with ticketing through Ticketmaster “like a 100-percent real show.”
By the way, tickets — $162.70-$293.45 — for that first “real show” on May 15 headlined by Lionel Richie are still available online here. Resale tickets for unreserved lawn seats start at $90.63.
On Friday (April 17), Legends Global and the amphitheater also will announce the band lineup for the May 16 public open house at the new venue.
VIDEO: The Acrisure Amphitheater: The Tour
PHOTO GALLERY: The Acrisure Amphitheater (April 14, 2026)
Photos by Joshua Tufts
