Live Nation, FivePoint Team On Orange County Amphitheater To Replace Irvine Meadows

Live Nation

LIVE NATION and FIVEPOINT announced a proposal to build a 12,000-seat outdoor music amphitheater adjacent to the ORANGE COUNTY GREAT PARK with the objective of opening in time for the 2017 summer season.

The two companies are partnering on the interim amphitheater, pending approval by the CITY OF IRVINE. FIVEPOINT has applied for a conditional use to allow LIVE NATION to design and build an interim venue on approximately 45 acres next to the ORANGE COUNTY GREAT PARK in the heart of the county. The interim venue would be located less than two miles from IRVINE MEADOWS AMPHITHEATRE, the iconic outdoor venue that has hosted hundreds of music's biggest artists and bands since it opened in AUGUST 1981. That venue will close permanently at the end of this month and eventually be replaced by apartment homes to be built by the IRVINE COMPANY.

As outlined in its permit application, FIVEPOINT, on behalf of property owner HERITAGE FIELDS, will make available a portion of the land that borders the park for the construction and operation of an interim venue for up to three years. Under this plan, LIVE NATION will design, construct and operate the outdoor facility and adjacent parking for fans, as well as concession and hospitality offerings with the goal of opening in time for the 2017 summer season. 

"ORANGE COUNTY has become a major concert stop for touring musical acts and LIVE NATION is committed to keeping the long tradition of live summer concerts alive and growing in this region," said LIVE NATION SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA President BRET GALLAGHER. "We are excited about the opportunity to partner with FIVEPOINT and build the highest quality interim amphitheater venue with all of the comforts and conveniences today's guests are seeking."

The interim amphitheater is planned to be similar to the AMERICA'S CUP PAVILION in SAN FRANCISCO, an outdoor facility LIVE NATION built in summer 2013 near the waterfront for concerts during the international sailing competition. The proposed IRVINE facility will be located on the former MARINE CORPS AIR STATION EL TORO base. The actual venue will be at the end of the southern runways at the former base and walking distance from the IRVINE TRANSPORTATION CENTER, a major mass transit hub for METROLINK passengers. Preliminary plans call for the amphitheater seating to face the picturesque SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS and SADDLEBACK PEAK.

IRVINE's master plan for the GREAT PARK calls for an outdoor amphitheater in the "cultural terrace" portion of the park on city land. However, city officials have not made any final decisions about the mix of amenities, which will ultimately be located there. 

In AUGUST, a grassroots movement called "Save Live Music IRVINE" was formed to bring attention to IRVINE MEADOWS closing and build momentum for a new venue. 

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