KFC Yum! Center Concerts: Big Names Coming to Louisville
Concerts in Louisville now rival those in major cities thanks to the KFC Yum! Center. With Lady Gaga, Rush, Taylor Swift, George Strait and Reba McEntire on their way for KFC Yum! Center concerts, Nashville and Cincinnati no longer hold all the cards on attracting the region’s must-see shows. In light of doubts during the center’s construction, signs point to a promising future for local events and tourism, with concerts in Louisville getting bigger and better.
People traveled from throughout the region to witness one of Kid Rock’s best performances in Louisville February 11, 2011, then flooded downtown's nightclubs after the show. His tribute to nearly 17,000 fans inspired a true arena-rock experience -- cheering, chanting and everyone on their feet from the first two rows to the top of the Bucket. The center’s size allowed for a massive stage featuring pyrotechnics, lasers and fireworks.
The concession stands and bars at the Yum! Center have reasonably priced mixed drinks, beer and food for average venues -- $6 drafts and $5.50 - $6.50 for cocktails. Prices may vary for different events.
Negotiating traffic and finding parking can be challenging, so visit the YUM Center’s Web site; it features helpful maps.
The theatrical Lady Gaga will likely dazzle the crowd for her nearly sold out show March 12. Future concerts in Louisville at the YUM! Center include Rush April 5, 2011, with tickets priced from $46-$97. Tickets are also on sale for George Strait and Reba MacEntire, with Lee Ann Womack April 9, 2011 ($41.50-$93.50). Taylor Swift, with NeedToBreathe, tickets go on sale Friday, February 18, for a July 2 show ($27-$72.50). Prices do not include taxes and fees.
HelloLouisville Tip: For Saturday shows, make your concert an all-day event to avoid traffic and parking problems. Plenty of dining and entertainment venues are within walking distance of the center. Fourth Street Live’s 350,000 square-foot entertainment complex is five blocks away, with many of its bars open until 4 a.m. on the weekends. It’s also possible to reserve tables with special service and a bottle of your favorite at 4th Street clubs such as Hotel Nightclub and Angels Rockbar.
Posted on Mar 22, 2011 by Kimberly Anderson
