Central Indiana amphitheater sets biggest season in decade

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Central Indiana's main outdoor concert venue is set to have its biggest summer season in a decade.

The Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville is on tap to host nearly 40 headliner acts.

In recent seasons, about 30 shows have been held at the venue, which is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, The Indianapolis Business Journal reported (http://bit.ly/1VSqG4s).

And in downtown Indianapolis, 22 shows are scheduled at Live Nation-operated Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park, its largest. That outdoor venue averaged around 12 shows a season before last year.

"It's been a long time since we've done 60 shows," Klipsch general manager Andrew Newport said. "I think there's some excitement. There's a buzz."

According to figures from the city of Noblesville, nearly 465,000 tickets were sold last year at Klipsch, up roughly 9 percent from 2014. Since 2006, the venue has paid a tax of $1 for each ticket to the northern Indianapolis suburb.

The amphitheater's covered pavilion seats 6,000, while the lawn area can accommodate about 18,000.

The venue's concert season opened Saturday with a show headlined by Miranda Lambert. Other performers scheduled include Dave Matthews Band, Snoop Dogg, Def Leppard, Phish and the Dixie Chicks. The lineup for Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, which has a capacity of 7,500, includes "Weird Al" Yankovic and the Goo Goo Dolls.

"Most markets don't even have one amphitheater, let alone two," Live Nation marketing director Kyle Johnston said. "We're a great market. We kind of just quietly do what we do."

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Information from: Indianapolis Business Journal, http://www.ibj.com