Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater facts for kids
The venue seen from the nearby bridge (c. 2010)
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| Former names | Tuscaloosa Amphitheater (2011-2023) |
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| Address | 2710 Jack Warner Pkwy Tuscaloosa, AL 35401-1023 Tuscaloosa |
| Owner | City of Tuscaloosa |
| Operator | Danny Wimmer Presents |
| Capacity | 8,410 |
| Acreage | 15 acres |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 14, 2009 |
| Opened | April 1, 2011 |
| Construction cost | $14.9 million ($20.3 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Davis Architects |
| Project manager | HPM |
| Structural engineer | Neel-Schaffer |
| Services engineer | Hyde Engineering |
| General contractor | Harrison Construction |
The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater is a cool outdoor concert place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It sits right by the Black Warrior River on 15 acres of land. This big venue is mostly used for music shows and can hold up to 8,410 people.
The amphitheater is found on Jack Warner Parkway. It is right next to the Hugh R. Thomas Bridge. It's also very close to the University of Alabama campus. The lively downtown area is just a few blocks away. This makes the amphitheater the biggest outdoor spot for fun events in West Alabama. It is a top place for arts and entertainment.
Besides many great concerts, the amphitheater hosts special events. One is the annual Celebration on the River. This is a free 4th of July party. It features music from the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. The venue also holds graduation ceremonies. You can even rent it for private parties and other events.
History of the Amphitheater
The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater was first called the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. It was designed by Davis Architects. Harrison Construction built it. Work on the amphitheater began on July 14, 2009. It was first expected to open in August 2010.
However, the Tuscaloosa area had a lot of rain in the months that followed. This caused delays in building the venue. Because of the rain, the opening was pushed back to 2011.
Opening Concerts and Events
The country music star Kenny Chesney was supposed to open the amphitheater. He planned to perform with Uncle Kracker on March 31, 2011. But their show had to be moved to May 25 due to scheduling issues.
Later, it was announced that The Avett Brothers and Band of Horses would open the amphitheater instead. Their concert happened on April 1, 2011. The very next night, Patti LaBelle and The O'Jays performed.
Over the years, many famous artists have played at the amphitheater. Some of these include Phish, Def Leppard, John Mayer, The Lumineers, Fantasia, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Aldean, Mary J. Blige, Chris Stapleton, KEM, Widespread Panic, Jill Scott, Bob Dylan, ODESZA, Brad Paisley, Hall & Oates, John Legend, Willie Nelson, and Erykah Badu.
New Name for the Venue
During the last shows of the 2023 season, the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater made a big announcement. It was changing its name. The venue was rebranded and is now known as the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater.
See also
- List of contemporary amphitheaters
