Huntington Bank Pavilion

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is an outdoor amphitheater located on Northerly Island in Chicago, Illinois. The venue is a temporary structure, with the summer concert season running from May or June until September or October. The amphitheater, which opened in June 2005, was known as Charter One Pavilion before changing its name to FirstMerit Bank Pavilion in 2013; it took on its current name in 2017. Known as the "Venue with a View", the amphitheater has views of Lake Michigan, Burnham Harbor, Soldier Field, and the Chicago skyline. History The venue lies on the former site of Meigs Field. On March 30, 2003, Mayor Richard M. Daley ordered a midnight demolition of the airfield. The construction crew excavated six large X's on the runway. Daley stated the continued operation of the airfield was a threat to Chicago's cityscape, using the events of 9/11 as a reference. The airfield was set to continue operation until 2011, when it would be turned over to the city of Chicago. No one within state or city government were consulted on the demolition besides Daley. The Federal Aviation Administration fined the city $33,000, with an additional one million paid in grants. In August 2003, construction crews were sent in to continue demolition of the airfield. Originally, the space was planned to become an aviation museum. Daley refuted the plan and proposed the space become a lakefront park and nature reserve. Within the allocated 91 acres, Northerly Island was born. Over four acres were set aside for the forthcoming music venue. With the new advent of the nature reserve to replace Meigs Field, the Chicago Park District proposed an outdoor music venue, similar to the Ravinia Pavilion. Construction began in December 2004. Since the venue would be located on the nature reserve, the structure would be erected in June and disassembled in September of each year. The venue was designed by Mark Dewalt of Valerio Dewalt Train Associates; costing $1.7 million to construct. The amphitheater features a 56' × 40' stage with 15' × 20' video screens on either side of the stage. It features three grandstands (totaling 3,666 seats) and a general admission area (totaling 4,500 seats). The Chicago Park District receives roughly $250,000 from the venue (through sponsorship deals) and $1 from every ticket sold during concert season. The venue opened June 24, 2005, with a concert by American band Earth, Wind & Fire. 2013 expansion The Chicago Park District originally sought expansion in 2010, wanting to increase capacity to 14,000 and attract mainstream acts to the venue. The city voted against the expansion in 2011. In March 2013, the Chicago Plan Commission approved a $3 million plan to expand the venue's capacity from 8,000 to 30,000 seats. This would mean rotating the stage to feature a lawn seating area, increasing the overall space of the venue from 4.78 to 6.9 acres. Additionally, two 300-seat grandstands were added, while the lawn arena can accommodate 22,000. There's a 12-foot slope from the front of stage to the rear of lawn, providing the proper elevation change so that the lawn can be used as a park area when not in use by the pavilion. The expansion also includes shuttle buses from the neighboring Soldier Field to help concert attendees with parking. The main entrance was widened to accommodate the capacity expansion. Delay systems for sound were added to the stage and lawn area. The original video screens were replaced by two 14' × 27' LED screens and two 11' × 17' LED screens in the lawn area. The newly renovated venue was expected to open June 27, 2013. However, due to heavy rainfall the opening was postponed. Concerts by Dispatch and O.A.R. were relocated to the UIC Pavilion. It was opened on June 29, 2013, by Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue implemented a new bag policy at their events. To reduce staff contact with guest belongings, they allow clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" and/or small clutch bags (4.5"x 6.5"). No other bags of any type will be allowed. Naming Upon original conception, the venue was known as the Lakefront Pavilion. On June 22, 2005, it was announced Charter One Financial purchased naming rights for five years, for $2.5 million. From 2005 until 2013, the venue was known as the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. With new construction underway, it was revealed the venue was seeking a new sponsorship deal. In June 2013, Ohio-based FirstMerit Corporation purchased a multi-year naming rights agreement. The length of the contract and amount were not disclosed. From June 27, 2013, until January 8, 2017, the venue was known as the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion. Huntington Bank acquired FirstMerit Bank near the end of 2016. On January 9, 2017, the venue name was changed to reflect this. The venue is now known as Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. Lakefront Pavilion (planning/construction) Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island (June 24, 2005 – June 26, 2013) FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (June 27, 2013 – January 8, 2017) Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (January 9, 2017 – Present) Performances 2024 Bryson Tiller - May 24, 2024 NEEDTOBREATHE - May 28, 2024 Ronny Barksdale Jr - May 31, 2024 Beyond Wonderland - June 1, 2024 Beyond Wonderland - June 2, 2024 Sarah McLachlan - June 11, 2024 Pixies & Modest Mouse - June 19, 2024 Third Eye Blind + Yellowcard - June 28, 2024 Caifanes - June 29, 2024 Mother Mother - July 13, 2024 A Day To Remember - July 25, 2024 Vampire Weekend - July 26, 2024 Vampire Weekend - July 27, 2024 Tedeschi Trucks Band - July 31, 2024 Bush - August 7, 2024 Thirty Seconds To Mars - August 10, 2024 Omar Apollo - August 23, 2024 Glass Animals - August 28, 2024 Glass Animals - August 29, 2024 King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (3 Hour Marathon Set) - September 1, 2024 Wallows - September 2, 2024 Avril Lavigne - September 10, 2024 Stone Temple Pilots + Live - September 11, 2024 Falling In Reverse - September 17, 2024 KAYTRANADA - September 20, 2024 Kygo - September 25, 2024 Kygo - September 26, 2024 Kings Of Leon - September 28, 2024 Anderson .Paak - October 4, 2024 John Summit + Friends - October 10, 2024 John Summit + Friends - October 11, 2024 John Summit + Friends - October 12, 2024 2023 Yeah Yeah Yeahs - June 1, 2023 Two Friends present Big Bootie Land - June 2, 2023 Barenaked Ladies - June 6, 2023 Dermot Kennedy - June 7, 2023 Heatwave Music Festival - June 10, 2023 Heatwave Music Festival - June 11, 2023 Louis Tomlinson - June 15, 2023 Quinn XCII - June 16, 2023 Billy Strings - June 17, 2023 Young The Giant + Milky Chance - June 23, 2023 Garbage + Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - June 27, 2023 Dave Matthews Band - July 7, 2023 Dave Matthews Band - July 8, 2023 Yellowcard - July 16, 2023 Sad Summer Festival - July 21, 2023 Slightly Stoopid - July 28, 2023 Q101 Piqniq Festival - July 30, 2023 Ghost - August 15, 2023 Goo Goo Dolls + O.A.R. - August 22, 2023 5 Seconds Of Summer - August 23, 2023 Dominic Fike - August 24, 2023 Beck + Phoenix - August 31, 2023 Duran Duran - September 1, 2023 Hozier - September 12, 2024 2022 Deftones - May 27, 2022 Rufus Du Sol - June 1, 2022 Haim - June 3, 2022 Phoebe Bridgers - June 4, 2022 Rex Orange County - June 24, 2022 Jack Johnson - June 30, 2022 My Morning Jacket - July 2, 2022 Big Time Rush - July 7, 2022 Third Eye Blind - July 8, 2022 Norah Jones - July 15, 2022 5 Seconds of Summer - July 16, 2022 David Gray - July 18, 2022 Burna Boy - July 23, 2022 $uicideboy$ - August 2, 2022 Goo Goo Dolls - August 4, 2022 Brandi Carlile - August 6, 2022 Lany - August 7, 2022 Maren Morris - August 10, 2022 Alicia Keys - August 23, 2022 Florence + The Machine - September 7, 2022 Odesza - September 9, 2022 Odesza - September 10, 2022 Conan Gray - September 28, 2022 New Order & Pet Shop Boys - September 30, 2022 The Head and the Heart - October 1, 2022 2021 Dave Matthews Band - August 6, 2021 Dave Matthews Band - August 7, 2021 Lindsey Stirling - August 20, 2021 Rise Against - August 28, 2021 Greta Van Fleet - September 3, 2021 311 - September 10, 2021 Quinn XCII - September 11, 2021 Above & Beyond - September 18, 2021 Alice Cooper - September 24, 2021 2020 All performances canceled due to Covid-19 2019 Florence + The Machine - May 23, 2019 Anderson .Paak - June 4, 2019 Nickelodeon Slime Fest - June 8, 2019 Nickelodeon Slime Fest - June 9, 2019 Coheed and Cambria & Mastodon - June 14, 2019 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with Father John Misty - June 15, 2019 Vampire Weekend: Father of the Bride Tour - June 16, 2019 Country LakeShake - June 21, 2019 Country LakeShake - June 22, 2019 Country LakeShake - June 23, 2019 Third Eye Blind & Jimmy Eat World - June 27, 2019 The National - June 28, 2019 Brandi Carlile - June 29, 2019 Sublime with Rome - July 5, 2019 Joe Russo's Almost Dead - July 11, 2019 V103 Summer Block Party - July 13, 2019 Slightly Stoopid - July 21, 2019 Jon Bellion - July 27, 2019 Peter Frampton - July 28, 2019 Beck & Cage The Elephant with Spoon - July 31, 2019 Herbie Hancock & Kamasi Washington - August 10, 2019 Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals - August 17, 2019 North Coast Music Festival - August 30, 2019 North Coast Music Festival - August 31, 2019 Social Distortion & Flogging Molly - September 7, 2019 The Avett Brothers with Trampled By Turtles - September 20, 2019 2018 Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats & The Head and the Heart - May 31, 2018 Post Malone - June 5, 2018 Primus - June 6, 2018 Alt-J - June 7, 2018 Steve Miller Band & Peter Frampton - June 14, 2018 Thirty Seconds To Mars - June 15, 2018 Ray LaMontagne with Neko Case - June 16, 2018 Dave Matthews Band - June 29, 2018 Dave Matthews Band - June 30, 2018 Kidz Bop Kids - July 1, 2018 Paramore - July 2, 2018 Styx - July 7, 2018 Foreigner & Whitesnake with Jason Bonham - July 11, 2018 Barenaked Ladies - July 13, 2018 V103 Summer Block Party - July 14, 2018 3 Doors Down & Collective Soul - July 24, 2018 Coheed and Cambria & Taking Back Sunday - July 26, 2018 Jeff Beck, Paul Rodgers, and Ann Wilson - July 29, 2018 Charlie Puth - July 31, 2018 Slightly Stoopid - August 12, 2018 G-Eazy - August 14, 2018 311 & The Offspring - September 6, 2018 Needtobreathe - September 8, 2018 Dispatch - September 15, 2018 2017 Jack Johnson - June 1, 2017 Jack Johnson - June 2, 2017 Rise Against & Deftones - June 9, 2017 Dave Matthews Band - June 10, 2017 Dave Matthews Band - June 11, 2017 Elvis Costello and the Imposters - June 12, 2017 Paul Simon - June 14, 2018 Don Henley - June 17, 2018 Dispatch - July 1, 2017 311 - July 2, 2017 Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie - July 3, 2017 Third Eye Blind with Silversun Pickups - July 6, 2017 Gorillaz - July 8, 2017 Slightly Stoopid - July 9, 2017 Chicago & The Doobie Brothers - July 12, 2017 Straight No Chaser & Post Modern Jukebox - July 13, 2017 Phish - July 14, 2017 Phish - July 15, 2017 Phish - July 16, 2017 V103 Summer Block Party - July 22, 2017 Violent Femmes with Echo & The Bunnyman - July 23, 2017 Goo Goo Dolls - July 24, 2017 Kidz Bop Kids - July 30, 2017 Dropkick Murphys & Rancid - August 8, 2017 Foreigner - August 9, 2017 Nickelback - August 12, 2017 Pretty Lights - August 18, 2017 Pretty Lights - August 19, 2017 Logic - August 24, 2017 Ms. Lauryn Hill & Nas - September 7, 2017 Sublime & The Offspring - September 8, 2017 Young The Giant - September 9, 2017 Sturgill Simpson - September 22, 2017 Umphrey's McGee - September 23, 2017 2016 Chris Stapleton - June 2, 2016 Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, Saosin & The Early November - June 3, 2016 Steely Dan & Steve Winwood - June 11, 2016 Joe Walsh & Bad Company - June 23, 2016 Brand New & Modest Mouse - July 2, 2016 311 - July 8, 2016 Erykah Badu - July 15, 2016 Gregg Allman Band - July 16, 2016 Sublime with Rome & Dirty Heads - July 17, 2016 Heart with Joan Jett - July 19, 2016 Goo Goo Dolls - July 26, 2016 Ray LaMontagne - August 6, 2016 Kidz Bop Kids - August 7, 2016 Josh Groban - August 9, 2016 Shinedown, Halestorm, Blackstone Cherry & Whiskey Myers - August 16, 2016 Mad Decent Block Party - August 21, 2016 Counting Crows & Rob Thomas - August 24, 2016 Slightly Stoopid - August 26, 2016 Fifth Harmony - August 31, 2016 Sammy Hagar - September 2, 2016 Bryan Adams - September 15, 2016 Pretty Lights - September 23, 2016 Pretty Lights - September 24, 2016 2015 Barenaked Ladies - June 16, 2015 Dashboard Confessional & Third Eye Blind - June 26, 2015 John Fogerty - July 8, 2015 Jill Scott - July 11, 2015 Rise Against - July 17, 2015 The Outcry Tour - July 24, 2015 Bryan Adams - July 25, 2015 Australian Pink Floyd & Led Zeppelin 2 - July 30, 2015 Jim Gaffigan - August 6, 2015 Smashing Pumpkins & Marilyn Manson - August 7, 2015 Yes & Toto - August 16, 2015 Sublime with Rome & Rebelution - August 20, 2015 Rick Springfield, Loverboy, and The Romantics - September 10, 2015 Counting Crows - September 12, 2015 Farm Aid - September 19, 2015 Robert Plant - September 23, 2015 2005 Earth, Wind & Fire & Chicago - June 25, 2005 New Edition, Brian McKnight, & Gerald Levert - June 26, 2005 Camper Van Beethoven - June 28, 2005 Ralph's World - July 2, 2005 Missy Higgins - July 14, 2005 Journey - July 16, 2005 Sugar Water Festival - July 29, 2005 Sugar Water Festival - August 10, 2005 Unwritten Law, Papa Roach, & 311 - August 11, 2005 Ratt, Quiet Riot, FireHouse, & Cinderella - August 12, 2005 Kelly Clarkson - August 13, 2005 Destiny's Child - August 16, 2005 Jack Johnson, Matt Costa, & Animal Liberation Orchestra - August 28, 2005 LoopFest 2005 - September 4, 2005 Filmed performances Incubus – Look Alive, filmed July 25, 2007 and released November 27, 2007 O.A.R. – Rain or Shine, recorded June 18–19, 2009 and released January 12, 2010 Jason Mraz – Beautiful Mess: Live on Earth, filmed August 13, 2009 and released November 6, 2009 311 – 311: Live in Chicago, filmed July 14, 2011 Two Friends - Big Bootie Land Chicago Concert Premiere, filmed on June 2, 2024, and released on September 12, 2023 King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Live In Chicago '24, filmed September 1, 2024 and released on October 21, 2024 See also List of contemporary amphitheatres References External links Official website Design of venue