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I've seen some pretty big acts go to BSWA recently that didn't play in Columbia. So that's debatable I guess. The Peace Center also gets it's fair share of stuff, then you also have the amphitheater in Simpsonville that gets some decent stuff.
I'm inclined to agree on the smaller venues. Although they're getting ready to open one or two I believe.
Does Columbia have a outdoor concert venue like Heritage Park? I can't think of any but there may be one down by the river.
I think there is one or plans to build one between Charleston and Columbia, which seems kind of weird.
It looks like Heritage Park is in the upper half in this country in terms of capacity, assuming the capacity numbers are legit. This list indicates Heritage Park is the 4th largest amphitheater in Georgia and the Carolinas.
Heritage Park and the small one on Clemson's campus are the only two listed for SC. I don't see one listed for Asheville which is surprising to me if it has a lot of music festivals.
I used to work for Live Nation so I might be able to shed some light here. Greenville’s issues are its venues or lack there of. Greenville doesn’t really have a place for festival acts to perform - think Musical Hall and Music Farm in Charleston, Township auditorium and Music Farm in Columbia, Orange Peel and Asheville Music Hall in Asheville. As for as big name acts -Maroon 5, Elton John, Janet Jackson - they will usually choose Colonial Life Arena over Bon Secours because the arena is larger/newer. I’m hoping the Firmament helps bring in some acts. Hope this helps!
The Orange Peel sized venue is one that is currently missing from Greenville. The Handlebar used to somewhat fill this need in the market but there isn't really anything like that currently in Greenville. Like you mention, hopefully the Firmament will fill this space in this market but its current capacity is around 500, which is about half of the Orange Peel's seating capacity.
Heritage Park and the small one on Clemson's campus are the only two listed for SC. I don't see one listed for Asheville which is surprising to me if it has a lot of music festivals.
How many music festivals did Heritage Park host last year? Looking at the events listed on their Facebook page, it looks like the answer is "zero". Doing some quick Googling, it looks like Asheville's approach to hosting music festivals is similar to Greenville's.
As far as concerts go, it looks like Heritage Park only had a handful last year (although they are largely impressive names): Paul Simon, Dirty Heads + SOJA (not familiar), Slightly Stoopid, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Third Eye Blind, and the Oak Ridge Boys. That's all that's listed on Heritage Park's Facebook page, anyway.
I've been really impressed with the acts that the Peace Center/Koger Center/N Charleston performing arts center have drawn. 'Hamilton' is coming to Greenville(Peace) and Book of Mormon(Koger) is coming to Columbia.
Book of Mormon came to the Peace Center last year. From what I heard, most (if not all of the shows) were a sell out or near sell out.
The Orange Peel sized venue is one that is currently missing from Greenville. The Handlebar used to somewhat fill this need in the market but there isn't really anything like that currently in Greenville. Like you mention, hopefully the Firmament will fill this space in this market but its current capacity is around 500, which is about half of the Orange Peel's seating capacity.
Rock at Revel took over The Handlebar. The venue is very nice. I have been to a couple concerts there with tribute bands. It is similar to The Orange Peel. I don't know why they don't host more shows though? The Orange Peel has something going on every night. I am aware of The Filament. Hopefully, this can help fill the void. I do think there is a lack of music halls in Greenville that hold the capacity needed for these acts.
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