LiveNation to sell Verizon Wireless Music Center (Deer Creek)

[jackola]

LiveNation is expected to sell Verizon Wireless Music Center (Deer Creek). What will replace it?

Office Space.

Read about it here.

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I've been to at least a dozen concerts at Deer Creek as a photographer, my best friend and her roommate work there, and I've worked with other people from Deer Creek and Live Nation in promoting concerts for RockMusicReview.com.

Although it will be sad to see Deer Creek go, I know that this doesn't mean the end of live music in Indy. Deer Creek was indeed the largest venue, and was under control by the largest concert promoter in the U.S. (LiveNation aka ClearChannel). They said in a conference that 2006 saw a big increase in concert ticket sales, so I know they have to have some sort of plan for after Deer Creek closes.

Also, there are TONS of concerts that are GOOD and don't take place at Deer Creek. The main problem, however, is that there are really only a couple live venues in Indy that are all ages.... The Emerson, Irving Theatre, and record stores.

We seriously need to change the law to match surrounding states and allow 18+ into live music venues that serve alcohol, of course still only serving those that are 21+.

Also, live music in Indy existed before Deer Creek, before LiveNation, before ClearChannel, and even before the radio. Have no fear, we will simply see a transition in live music in Indy, hopefully for the better.

Love,
Jack Shepler
http://www.rockmusicreview.com

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By the way, my LJ userpic is of MxPx playing at Deer Creek for Warped Tour 2002. It was the first show I ever shot there.

Comments

[sarahkathleen.livejournal.com]

i'm sad about that. i graduated there & spent many summers going to shows at deer creek.

the quality of the venue has gone downhill the last few years, though, imo. it's gotten dirtier, muddier, and it hasn't grown much in the way of offering concessions, etc. (i'm still buying the same shitty nachos i did when i was 15, but now i can buy a medium sized coors light for $7 to go with them. great.)

there are still enjoyable outdoor shows that happen at white river gardens downtown. i wonder what their plans are for building another venue in a different location...

[billionbucks.livejournal.com]

i know the people that own the Irving.

I've heard they want to have the next big venue in indianapolis... probably just going to use the white river state park

[jackola.livejournal.com]

I talked to them about booking shows there. I'm pumped for it. Hopefully I can get some good bands in there.

[billionbucks.livejournal.com]

yea i hope the place picks up. i actually live around the corner from it.

[crazykidben.livejournal.com]

i was at that warped in 02!

...but this really makes me sad. that is the place for music festivals.

[ipwnbsu.livejournal.com]

Can't wait for this place to be gone! The community will be much better off with the use of this valuable land for something actual of value.

[joekest.livejournal.com]

I hope your optimism is justified, and Indy doesn't just become an after-thought in the major concert market. I'm all for local and indie music, but I'd also like to be able to count on enjoying some major tours.

[starliner.livejournal.com]

I saw this coming when they announced the big shopping center going in across the road. Concert crowd traffic would play havoc with shopping center businesses/customers.

If a new venue is built, it will probably be way out on the west or south side. So inconvenient, I know that I would think twice about a trip to Plainfield or Franklin.

The property probably will sell and next summer will be the last season at Deer Creek. Sad.