Kingswood Amphitheatre Underutilized?

[WolfeJet]

New to the board, and really appreciate the informed and engaged community.

I have searched high and low, on here and in general, but have not found any significant explanation as to why KD lets Kingswood sit empty? Does anyone here know or can point to earlier conversations about it?

I can think of so many reasons it would have been profitable, drive more traffic to the park, but now that ship has sailed with Innsbrook set up down the street.

With plenty of Country and nostalgic rock acts which would typically that tier of venue, it just seems logical to cater to the thrill ride crowd…. I understand that appetite for “shows” seems to be down, but don’t get why they let the opportunity pass them by…

Appreciate any perspectives.

 

[Jonesta6]

Perhaps there's either inadequate modern facilities for most touring artists, or there's conditions that make it too difficult or unprofitable for an outside promoter to operate as a standalone venue?

I could also guess that with it being isolated from the rest of the park, CF's alleged overall reduction in live entertainment budgets across the chain, and general staffing shortages (plus the need for highly specialized training for some positions such as rigging, audio controls, lighting, etc that usually are union jobs in many venues), and the need for a booking agent with the proper industry contacts and potentially a division of the legal team to go over performance contract stuff could also be factors as to why the amphitheatre barely gets used.

 

[Unagi]

Kingswood use to get a lot of great shows back in the 70s and 80s. However, it took a hit when the Classic Amphitheater (now Virginia Credit Union Live), a mid-sized amphitheater with 6,000-capacity and a pavilion with covered seating, opened in 1991 next to the Richmond Raceway. Artists now had the option to play a bigger venue that was also a shorter drive for the Richmond area residents. Kingswood did manage to get some top artists to still perform there in the 1990s however its usage waned by the end of that decade. With Virginia Credit Union Live still in use and the new 7,500-capacity Riverfront Amphitheater set to open next year, it gives touring artists newer and bigger options to perform at in the Richmond Metro Area.

 

[horsesboy]

Kingswood use to get a lot of great shows back in the 70s and 80s. However, it took a hit when the Classic Amphitheater (now Virginia Credit Union Live), a mid-sized amphitheater with 6,000-capacity and a pavilion with covered seating, opened in 1991 next to the Richmond Raceway. Artists now had the option to play a bigger venue that was also a shorter drive for the Richmond area residents. Kingswood did manage to get some top artists to still perform there in the 1990s however its usage waned by the end of that decade. With Virginia Credit Union Live still in use and the new 7,500-capacity Riverfront Amphitheater set to open next year, it gives touring artists newer and bigger options to perform at in the Richmond Metro Area.

You also have the after hours venue down at Meadow Event Park that pulls in a significant crowd. Then there is the Live Nation issue. For those not aware of it the company Live Nation which runs and promotes probably about 95% of all touring events in the country is currently in an antitrust case for suppressing small independent venues which is the category that KD would fit into.

 

[bradd1319]

You also have the after hours venue down at Meadow Event Park that pulls in a significant crowd. Then there is the Live Nation issue. For those not aware of it the company Live Nation which runs and promotes probably about 95% of all touring events in the country is currently in an antitrust case for suppressing small independent venues which is the category that KD would fit into.

How is BGW different than KD for getting artists? Is it just other venues are locally available near KD?

 

[Jonesta6]

After Hours uses a different ticketing provider - eTix, which is a Ticketmaster/Live Nation competitor.

Tbh, from the industry people I've been acquainted with (promoters, tour management staff, etc.) most large artists plan stadium/outdoor tour segments to go to different sides of the state - they figure Virginia Beach/Jiffy Lube amphitheaters for outdoor gets most of the state, will sometimes split to JPJ in Charlottesville and whichever indoor high capacity venues in NoVa (Patriot Center, WolfTrap, etc), before considering indoor venues such as Norva and National. Basically, KD's venue is an outlier though I suspect it's not been made attractive for many of the reasons I mentioned in my previous post.

 

[Fenrihr]

I'm wondering how much could also be down to facility age.

I remember going to a few concerts in the 90's and it felt old then.

I don't know how much CF has put into the concert stage and facilities to keep it feeling up to date.

Plus, you now have Meadow Event Park for outdoor concerts right close by.

 

[sbroc012]

The last major events happening there, that I remember, was Kingsfest. It was an annual Christian music festival over a weekend timeframe. When growing up as a teen (mid 2000's) it was quite a big deal for the church youth groups in the area.

 

[Jonesta6]

The last major events happening there, that I remember, was Kingsfest. It was an annual Christian music festival over a weekend timeframe. When growing up as a teen (mid 2000's) it was quite a big deal for the church youth groups in the area.

Is that not still a thing?

I feel like if they should figure a way to incorporate the venue for their own programming, perhaps if they stick a Camp Snoopy in that corner they could make it feel more natural to the park and not a separate concert venue. If they do it right they could still retain the ability to run it isolated if needed.

But that's probably not going to happen anytime soon, if at all...

 

[horsesboy]

How is BGW different than KD for getting artists? Is it just other venues are locally available near KD?

It's part that and not to be mean but look at the BGW lineup it's not actually what you call really big names. What BGW is getting are largely far down the list independent acts that are cheap bookings for smaller venues. But BGW is also not charging a show ticket price like KD use to do. On top of that they are being booked through corporate Usally as a package with stops in Orlando or Tampa which are bigger draws.

 

[CoastersRUS]

You look all over the CF chain and several parks have massive amphitheaters that are extremely underutilized. In addition to KD, KI, CW, VF, WoF, and CGA all have massive venues that they really don’t use except for the seldom haunt or winterfest thing. CP tore down their large stadium, so it seems that cedar fair really has no interest in bringing outside acts into their parks.

I know that during my time at WoF, we had absolutely zero use of our amphitheater. I think it just boils down to the entertainment department having very little budget for anything outside of seasonal events. I’ve seen people bring up the age and quality of these venues, but I don’t think that’s the issue. BGW does concerts every year and the royal palace is an absolute crapshack.

The cedar fair chain focuses almost fully on being a thrill destination rather than focusing on shows and live entertainment. They aren’t working at all to fill these venues, but will gladly rent them out if someone inquires about it. Whereas, the seaworld chain is actively trying to book their venues each year. Six flags is very similar to CF in the space of big underused venues, so I would doubt we see any change with the merger. These spaces in the park will slowly deteriorate further and eventually all be torn out when the time comes to make room for future expansion. It’s a sad reality but unless CF/Six make a full 180 on how they view entertainment, that’s the most likely eventuality.

 

[GAcoaster]

The Live Nation monopoly on concerts has hurt the parks all over— it’s really hard to book a concert anyone really wants to see if you’re not paying up BIG money.