Chris Johnson | Posted on October 14, 2024 |

Macon’s amphitheater hits all the right notes

MACON, Georgia — I used to love going to see concerts. Unfortunately, it’s the “going” part of that statement that grew tiresome as I got older.

(Cue “OK, boomer” comments.)

For my first concert at 16 years old, I had to drive my little stick shift for more than an hour through the rain to catch the Beastie Boys at Columbus’ old, pitiful Municipal Auditorium — only to have them kicked off the stage by authorities late in the show.

During my 14 years living and working in Columbus, I was fortunate enough to catch up and coming acts like Shawn Mullins and Jennifer Nettles at local clubs, while also seeing established acts like James Brown and Kool and the Gang just a few miles from my house.

Unfortunately, most of the big shows I’ve caught required diving to Atlanta. I loathe driving to and in Atlanta. I hate the traffic. I hate rudeness. I hate the smell of pot every 12 feet. I hate all the money grabs. And, the city seems to hate me, too.

I’m OK with that.

Yet, Atlanta and I had to deal with each other so that I could see such acts as Prince, the Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks,, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, the Dixie Chicks and multiple concerts by John Mayer (my wife’s favorite artist) and Jimmy Buffett (my favorite).

The more tired I got of Atlanta, the fewer concerts I attended. If only there were a way to see such shows closer to my Perry, Georgia, home.

Then, Macon Mayor Lester Miller began promoting a crazy idea — building an amphitheater at the site of Macon Mall, the once-thriving shopping area that I loved going to as a kid. It would be located next to the building where I saw so many movies in my youth.

The idea was ridiculed left and right. Any positive posts about the project were met with hordes of critics who publicly predicted gloom and doom. I didn’t comment on any of it. I agreed with much of the doubt, mind you, but I hoped I was wrong. Granted, that was a very faint hope because I’m like, you know, never ever wrong.

Except this time.

The mayor went all in on this project, and Macon nailed it. The city that gave us the likes of Otis Redding and Little Richard and became the home of The Allman Brothers needed a place like this.

Now, places like The Capitol Theatre and Hummingbird downtown also have brought in great acts through the years — and still do. Sometimes, I prefer that more intimate setting. But the Atrium Health Amphitheater can accommodate 12,000 and can bring in major acts.

It works because they didn’t do this halfway. The sound is awesome — even at the very back of the lawn section. There are wide-open spaces for walking around and getting food and beverages. Parking is simple with the mall already having had a giant lot sitting mostly empty for years. The facility has plenty of bathrooms. There’s a plethora of security. And, it’s quick and easy to enter and to leave.

They just opened this past spring but have already brought in a variety of acts from R&B to country to comedy to rap to gospel and rock. All the shows seem to have gone smoothly.

I did wait to see how things went before I finally pulled the trigger on tickets to see Dwight Yoakam and then The Black Crowes this past Saturday with opening act Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, which I last saw downtown at the Hummingbird where I had a chance to chat with frontman Kevin Kinney between sets. I guess one drawback to the big arenas is that you can’t get quite as up close and personal.

I just hope they don’t let up. We’ve all seen businesses and especially restaurants open with a flourish and then dial it back. Every new fast-food joint not named Chick-fil-A seems to start off great before reducing staff and getting slow and complacent. Then, I guess the corporate bosses at places like Hardees and Popeye’s must wonder, “Gee, why did folks just stop coming?” Um, maybe because they didn’t have an hour for lunch and don’t like being glared at by the remaining employees?

That’s just a theory, mind you.

If Macon and the amphitheater begin reducing security and staffing at the amphitheater, things could reverse. If they stop working so hard to facilitate traffic flow in and out of the facility, there will be problems. If they get complacent, it will become a venue that used to be a great place to go. I wrongly doubted them before they opened, so I’m going to have faith that they keep up the good work.

My only complaint is that Macon didn’t do this years ago. Buffett would have loved playing this venue — and it would have been a great place for us Parrot Heads to tailgate.