Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Irvine)

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Irvine (formerly Irvine Meadows and officially known as Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Los Angeles) is a 16,085-capacity amphitheater located in Irvine, California. Most of the amphitheater's seating is reserved (10,174, in fact); the lawn holds the other 5,911 spectators.

Despite its official full name, the amphitheater is actually located in Orange County instead of Los Angeles. The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre is currently Orange County's largest amphitheater. Until the opening of the Irvine Spectrum entertainment center and the nearby Quail Hill development, the amphitheater was located closer to neighborhoods and shopping centers in nearby Lake Forest and Laguna Hills than it was to neighborhoods and retail activity in the city of Irvine. The amphitheater is located at 8808 Irvine Center Drive, just to the southwest of the San Diego Freeway. Notable acts have performed there such as Linkin' Park, 'N Sync, 311, Depeche Mode, Aerosmith, Metallica, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Iron Maiden, Michael Jackson, Phish, Primus, Def Leppard, Nine Inch Nails, Judas Priest, Kiss, Marilyn Manson, Muse, No Doubt made a surprise appearance during one of Gwen Stefani's solo concerts, it was the bands first concert since the beinning of their hiatus in 2005, Rush, Britney Spears, Tina Turner, and Roger Waters most recently made his on stage comeback at the amphitheater. It is home to the annual KROQ Weenie Roast with the exception of 2000. American Rock music band Journey are scheduled to play at Irvine Meadows on July 16, 2008 as their first US concert tour date with their new lead vocalist, Arnel Pineda.

Since 1987, it has been the summer home of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. [cite news|first=James |last=Chute |title=Finale for a conductor; Pacific Symphony's amibition finally outgrew Keith Clark |work=The Orange County Register |date=February 28, 1988]

The land the amphitheater occupies is owned by the Irvine Company. Their lease expires in 2017, at which time the Irvine Company is expected to replace the venue with housing.

ee also

*List of contemporary amphitheatres

External links

* [http://www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/262 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Irvine]
* [http://www.casenet.com/concert/irvine.htm Verizon Wireless Amphitheater info at casenet.com]

References