English
KseVirginiaBeach2009-by Martin1833-Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Interesting Facts about Virginia Beach Amphitheater
The 20,000-seat outdoor performance facility, Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach, formerly GTE Virginia Beach Amphitheater, is situated in Virginia Beach.
It opened in 1996 with 12,500 general admission lawn seats and 7,500 seats under a pavilion. The arena has subsequently held concerts by well-known musicians due to its size and intended audience.
For the first time in its 14-year history, the venue dropped its corporate prefix (“Verizon Wireless”) in March 2010 and became known simply as “Virginia Beach Amphitheater.”
In January 2016, it was announced that the venue would be renamed “Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach.”
The building features two main seating areas: a lawn area behind the fixed seating partially covered by a canopy and the central fixed seating space located beneath a canopy.
Always confirm the most recent hours with the establishments, and when traveling in Virginia, be sure to follow the COVID-19 safety regulations.
Here are 10 interesting facts about Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
1. The amphitheater opened in 1996
The Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach is previously known as Farm Bureau Live.
It opened in 1996 to be one of the premier venues on the east coast for the traveling summer concert series.
It has over the years, increased in popularity, due to its perfect summer location and large seating capacity.
2. Over time, the amphitheater’s name has changed
The venue was known as the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Virginia Beach. For the first time in its 14-year history, the venue dropped its corporate prefix in March 2010 and became known simply as “Virginia Beach Amphitheater.”
With sponsorship from Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance, the amphitheater was renamed “Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach” in February 2011.
It was announced that the location would henceforth be known as “Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach” in January 2016.
3. It has a large seating capacity
When it was opened, it had 12,500 general admission lawn seats and 7,500 seats under a pavilion totaling to access over 20,000 seating capacity for all events.
Due to its size and intended demographic, the amphitheater has since hosted concerts by well-known musicians.
4. The facility has two main seating areas
The building features two main seating areas; a lawn area behind the fixed seating partially covered by a canopy and the central fixed seating space located beneath a canopy.
The venue also invites concertgoers to bring blankets and rent tiny lawn chairs for those who have booked grass seats.
5. The amphitheater has played host to traveling festivals
The Adolescents Warped Tour 2007-by -Frank–Wikimedia Commons
From 1995 to 2019, the Warped Tour was a summertime traveling rock concert tour that included stops in three or four Canadian cities in addition to the United States.
It was the biggest touring music festival ever held in the United States and North America’s longest-running touring music festival.
Lilith Fair was a concert tour and traveling music festival, founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, Nettwerk Music Group’s Dan Fraser and Terry McBride, and New York talent agent Marty Diamond.
It was reintroduced in the summer of 2010, having previously occurred in the years 1997 through 1999.
6. Popular music festivals have been hosted at the amphitheater
July Stuff 032-by Breakfastface-Wikimedia Commons
The amphitheater has played host to many music festivals, including the yearly Shaggfest, the 2008 Crue Fest Tour, and Crue Fest 2, which was held in 2009 during the second year of the Crue Fest Tour.
FM99 Lunatic Luau, H.O.R.D.E. Festival a touring summer rock music festival, The Honda Civic Tour an annual concert tour, and Lollapalooza an annual four-day music festival held in Grant Park in Chicago.
The Mayhem Festival was a touring heavy metal festival that took place during the summer, Ozzfest was an annual music festival tour of the United States and sometimes Europe, and later Japan and Projekt Revolution was a music festival hosted by Linkin Park.
The Uproar Festival, also called the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival, was an annual hard rock and heavy metal tour.
7. It is an outdoor amphitheater
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach is the ideal venue for any kind of event.
Be it an upcoming conference, corporate event, fundraiser, private performance, or graduation thanks to its outdoor setting and breathtaking views.
8. It plays large music events from National and International recording artists
Steve Miller Band VB-by PumpkinSky-Wikimedia Commons
On June 4, 1996, The Dave Matthews Band played a concert and recorded it which was ultimately released as Live Trax Vol. 18, a live CD.
On June 24, 1998, The Spice Girls gave a sold-out performance as part of their Spiceworld Tour.
On July 21, 2002, P.O.D. also filmed the music video for their song “Satellite” at the FM99 Lunatic Luau.
To ensure they had all the necessary footage, they played the song three times while the cameras were filming.
Bruce Springsteen gave a performance on April 12, 2014, as part of the High Hopes Tour in front of 15,157 spectators.
Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Rush, Jimmy Buffett, and U2 have all performed at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
9. Three of Aerosmith’s scheduled performances at the amphitheater were canceled
Aerosmith JSC-by Uknown-Wikimedia Commons
Due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Aerosmith’s performance on their Just Push Play Tour with Fuel as their opening act was postponed.
Likewise, on June 16, 2004, as part of their Honkin’ on Bobo Tour, with Cheap Trick serving as their opening act, the performance was canceled due to illness.
During their Aerosmith/ZZ Top Tour on July 5, 2009, with ZZ Top serving as their opening act, the performance was canceled owing to injuries suffered by frontman Steven Tyler.
10. Items permitted and prohibited in the amphitheater
The amphitheater allows one sealed bottle of water, and food in a clear transparent 1-gallon ziplock bag of plastic, Purses, and Umbrellas.
Also, typical sized bags, backpacks (All bags and backpacks will be inspected), Blankets, and lawn stools.
Items not permitted include Glow Sticks, Coolers, Video or Audio Recording, and Fireworks.
Weapons of any kind, Illegal Drugs/substances, Go Pros & Tablets, Alcohol, Glass containers, Laser pointers, Animals ( except service animals), and Frisbees.
Virginia Beach Amphitheater is located perfectly near the sandy beaches of Virginia thus a perfect location for tourists.
The amphitheater has five parking lots dedicated to the theatre, tickets purchased for the shows include the parking fees.
