Mesa Amphitheatre Information
Mesa Amphitheatre draws in concert goers from a music loving public numbering in the millions. It is located only 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix and provides an open air concert venue that has also seen use for festivals, multi-day celebrations, and community events. It is proudly owned and operated by the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department and it hosts many awesome concerts and events per year with room for nearly 5,000 music lovers to attend.
One of the best attractions of the Mesa Amphitheatre is the fact that it is located in the city of Mesa, just 15 minutes from Phoenix, Arizona. This makes it easy to reach the venue either by driving or using public transport.
The Mesa Amphitheatre has a maximum capacity of 4,950, but this can differ depending on the type of event. It is an outdoor, open-air venue where the audience sits (or stands) on different levels of a tiered lawn. The lowest level is the closest to the stage as it would be in a traditional indoor venue, but there are no seats.
The bowl-like structure of an amphitheater ensures that even the biggest crowds can enjoy a great view of the stage – including those seated at the back. This layout is probably one of the reasons why the Mesa is used for both international headliners and smaller, intimate shows.
Known as a ‘rain or shine’ venue, events and shows at the Mesa run whatever the weather, so it’s important to plan for every eventuality.
The Mesa is also used as a venue for community events and festivals and is owned and operated by the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department.
Known for its fantastic central location, just 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix, the open air concert venue is an enormously popular site for festivals and concert events. With its tiered lawn, the Mesa Amphitheater offers a fantastic view of the stage from every seat, is big enough for massive acts, but intimate enough for an up-close and personal experience for everybody attending!
The venue provides plenty of snacks and refreshments, and disabled access is available – please contact the venue prior to arriving for any assistance.
The history of Mesa Amphitheatre
The Mesa Amphitheatre opened in 1979 as a space intended for cultural events and to meet the demand for outdoor performances in the area. The venue underwent its first round of major renovations in 1990 to enhance the acoustics and improve seating.
In 2005, a summer concert series began that brought thousands of visitors to the venue, and in 2015 further expansion was carried out to improve the visitor experience. In terms of design, there have been no significant changes to the venue since it was constructed in the 1970s.
Located in the center of the city of Mesa, close to Phoenix, the venue grew in popularity and attracted performers and theater productions from around the world.
The Mesa Amphitheatre has many more years ahead with plans already in place for expansions and improvements. This includes plans to diversify the range of events hosted, including more family-friendly events, that will help it maintain its status as a hub for the local community, as well as art, culture, and music lovers from around the globe.
Performances and events at the Mesa Amphitheatre
Who has performed on the stage of the Mesa in the past? The simple answer is that musicians and performers from just about every genre of music have graced the Mesa Amphitheatre’s stage. The list includes Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, The xx, Muse, Rob Zombie, Flogging Molly, and Creed.
However, during its 40-year history, the Mesa Amphitheatre has become more than a music venue. Today, it also hosts a range of cultural and arts festivals that are attended both by locals and visitors from all over the world. Some of the most famous events include:
» The Arizona Celebration of Freedom
» Summer Concert Series
» Mesa Music Festival
» Community Movie Nights
» Seasonal Festivals and Fairs
This is how the Mesa has become not just a place to visit, but a hub for the local community where they can socialize and exchange ideas. It also supports local artists and performers by enabling them to perform on a stage, promoting up-and-coming talent and helping them to build a following.
What’s It Like At Mesa Amphitheater
But what is it like when you’re sitting on the lawn watching big name bands and musicians rock out? First, let’s talk about the venue’s design.
When the venue first opened in the 1970s it had a cool and cozy atmosphere that quickly became popular with music lovers. It presented a relaxing venue for everyone to relax and enjoy their time listening to music during steamy summers and refreshing autumns. This atmosphere has been maintained ever since opening night, which has given it a homey feel that is relaxing and classic.
As you can guess, this appeals to the regular patrons who are warm, receptive, and welcoming of fellow music lovers whether they are locals or hail from nearby states and cities. There’s plenty of drink stations and restrooms are clean and plentiful. The staff on-site are also trained in positivity which helps create an energetic and happy vibe. And that energy reaches the stage because of the intimate design making for some of the most explosive concerts to come to Arizona.