For the past few years, downtown Raleigh's Moore Square has played host to biweekly summer concert series Raleigh Downtown Live, booking (mostly) second-tier acts for free all-day shows in the park. This summer, though, it looks like the arrival of the new downtown amphitheater has led to the demise of Downtown Live, reports the News & Observer's David Menconi.
Menconi says that Live Nation has committed to booking 15 to 20 shows at the amphitheater this year, making Saturday afternoons and evenings much more valuable time slots. He says that Deep South - who organized the previous Downtown Live shows - has a couple of Saturday shows planned for the park in addition to some mid-week concerts featuring regional acts a la "Alive after Five" a few years back.
While most Downtown Live vets will likely not miss the $5 Bud Light cans, the outdoor concerts will surely be missed by live music lovers and, undoubtedly, the businesses surrounding Moore Square. Anyone who has tried to grab a bite to eat at the Remedy or a drink at Landmark on a summer Saturday afternoon can attest to the flood of patrons the concert series brings to these businesses - and how much they will be hurt by its departure.
Comments
Another victim to a poor economy
Not poor economy just a way to get people to the new amphitheater, which i will not. Here's hoping this is a bust for Raleigh and Downtown Live is back in full swing next year.
I'm with you Tim. They're bringing the same C-list bands to downtown, but now you're expected to pay to see them (and the beers will still be $5). If they brought some real talent to the amphitheatre, I for one wouldn't mind cutting DTL.
It's a HUGE disappointment for us "Downtown Live Vets" and will definitely hurt the local businesses around Moore Square. PLEASE bring back Downtown Live in 2011!!!
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