Save live music!
By Irvine City News staff
The last acts at Irvine Meadows are not the end of live music in Irvine.
The final shows at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre take place in September and October, and the eclectic line-up serves as a fitting tribute to the storied history of the venue, , which will be torn down after the end of the season.
When the last note sounds, will Irvine Meadows join the list of other iconic OC music venues lost to the ages, including the Rendezvous Ballroom, the Golden Bear, Safari Sam’s and the Tomorrowland Terrace at Disneyland?
Not if supporters of the Save Live Music Irvine campaign have their strong voices heard. Nearly 10,000 have signed petitions and put their musical musings and memories on a memory wall while attending concerts this summer. The grassroots effort has also seen a wave of support on Facebook and other social media platforms. And all with the goal of convincing the city and others to support a new live music venue at the Orange County Great Park.
With a large number of Irvine registered voters among those signing the petitions, both in person and online (savelivemusicirvine.com), it seems certain the issue of a new amphitheatre will be important in the upcoming Irvine city elections.
Those attending the LiveNation lineup of classic rock, country, comedy, hip-hop, punk and alternative rock that are part of the last two months of music at Irvine Meadows can join the cause while enjoying the entertainment.
Comedian Amy Schumer will bring her world tour to Irvine Sept. 16, which is a return engagement after her hilarious appearance at the Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival last year. That Oddball comedy festival returns to Irvine Meadows Oct. 1, as does radio station Jack FM’s 11th annual Jack’s Show on Sept. 23, featuring Jane’s Addiction, the Cult, Garbage and Violent Femmes, plus Everlast reunited with House of Pain.
Other announced shows include the Hair Nation Festival (Sept. 17) and Def Leppard/REO Speedwagon (Sept. 22), for those who can’t get enough of ’70s and ’80s favorites. Blink-182 (Sept. 29 and Oct. 7), Florida Georgia Line (Oct. 8), the How the West Was Won hip-hop festival (Oct. 14) and Sublime (Oct. 15) are other highlights of the final shows of the final season.
For now, the last show at the amphitheater that has served SoCal music fans since 1981 is Jimmy Buffett. We all know his Parrothead fans know how to party, so they would give the place a “Wasted Away Again…” send off.
But we hear there is a grand finale that’s as yet unannounced, with very special guests who no doubt love Irvine Meadows as part of the bill.
SaveLiveMusicIrvine.com
