FMBA twangs, rocks and jazzes up summer

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FYI on FMBA

• first Midwest Bank Amphitheatre’s 2010 season
• Main Event: Q101 Jamboree

For all things first Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, check out the new FYI on FMBA blog.

Whether you call it World Music Theater, New World Music Theater,Tweeter Center or first Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, this outdoor venuein Tinley Park has featured cool concerts every summer since 1990.

FYI on FMBA is your source for concert previews, stories from thestage and everything you need to know before and after you hit the show.

Country artists tend to collect a crowd at first Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, and this year should be no exception.

Country Throwdown headlined by Montgomery Gentry and Jamey Johnson kicks off the season on may 22.

And Live Nation is again offering a Country Megaticket, which is up one concert from 2009.

“We book acts based on our ability and the success rates we feel they’ll have,” said Jon Reens, Midwest regional marketing manager for Live Nation, which operates FMBA.

“This year we were lucky enough to have a six-show package we could put together for our Country Megaticket. each one of those shows goes on sale individually also. You buy one ticket and receive the same seat for every single country show. It’s a great deal to purchase in advance, and it’s great for the country consumer.”

The concerts included in the Country Megaticket are:

- Country Throwdown on may 22.

- Tim McGraw with Lady Antebellum and Love and Theft on June 26.

- Brad Paisley with Darius Rucker and Justin Moore on July 16.

- Brooks & Dunn with Gary Allan on Aug. 8.

- Rascal Flatts with Kellie Pickler and Chris Young on Aug. 28.

- Toby Keith with special guests on Sept. 18.

“As far as lineups are concerned, we have a great lineup coming into Tinley Park – everything running the gamut from country to rock to classic rock to hip-hop,” he said.

Reluctant to put the spotlight on any one particular show, Reens said there are several tours he is glad to see on the way to the outdoor amphitheater.

“In addition to our country music shows, we’ve got the comeback of Limp Bizkit with Ice Cube (July 15). We’ve got Iron Maiden (July 18) and Kings of Leon (July 24). The (Vans) Warped Tour (July 31) is back again. It’s the 16th year.”

Other events Reens noted include the Q101 Jamboree 2010 (June 5); Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival (July 30), which is in its third year and features Korn and Rob Zombie; and the Jonas Brothers with Demi Lovato and the cast of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (Aug. 7).

“OZZfest (Aug. 17) is coming back. It’s hasn’t been here for a while,” he added. “There’s some newer shows, a newer rock package that’s coming through.

“Creed is coming back again. Lilith fair is making a return after how many years on hiatus.”

Reens, who works mostly with the music end of FMBA, said the fans are the ones who win with such a stacked slate.

“It’s great because it gives any sort of music consumer, anybody who likes music and obviously live music a much more experiential thing than just listening to the radio, iPod or CD,” he said.

“It really gives any kind of music fan (a reason) to come out and see a live show.”

Reens said the summer season will continue the venue’s success from 2009.

“It was yet another strong season,” he said of last year’s concerts.

“We had the country shows; Def Leppard and Poison out there; Crue Fest, which was the Motley Crue package; Mayhem Festival; Warped Tour and Nickelback.

“Some of the acts are coming through this year (again), and some of the acts are coming through on different packages. And we’re adding more and more programming.”

Despite the competition in one of the nation’s biggest concert markets, Reens said FMBA stands out from the multitude of venues in the Chicago area for many reasons.

“Size is one, and accessibility,” he said, also noting ample parking, having a pavilion and a lawn and VIP packages with suites and a club.

FMBA is just easier for many people all over the region to get to than many Chicago venues, he added.

“Being in Tinley Park is extremely accessible to Northwest Indiana, Joliet, the city (of Chicago) proper. Obviously it’s all based on the act that’s playing. People come far and wide to see shows there,” he said.

“You have the fresh air, and it’s just an experience. each and every concert you go to is a unique experience.

“It’s the way the environment meshes with music and meshes with the people you’re around. The great thing about live music, in and of itself, is every time it’s different. No two shows are the same.”

Jessi Virtusio can be reached at jvirtusio@southtownstar.com and (708) 802-8854.

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