Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Big lineup ahead for concerts at Fenway

By Zachary Baru

This year will be one to remember at Fenway Park for more than just baseball.  The concert lineup for 2016 is, to say the least, impressive.

This summer, Fenway Park will welcome seven different acts with eleven dates total.  It all begins with Dead & Company playing two nights in Boston on July 15 and 16.  Price levels for Dead & Company will be $55, $80 and $104.

Just one day later, Paul McCartney will make it three consecutive days of concerts at Fenway with a performance on July 17.  From a marketing standpoint, this is a tremendous way for Live Nation and the Boston Red Sox to kick off the concert season.

The season at Fenway continues on August 3 with James Taylor, coming off his stop at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook on August 1, and of course his traditional appearance at Tanglewood on July 3 and 4 at the famous Koussevitzky Music Shed.

Just two days later, Pearl Jam will invade Fenway with two nights on August 5 and 7.

As if that wasn't enough, Billy Joel comes to the ballpark on August 18, followed by the Zac Brown Band on August 20 and 21.

The concert season comes to an end with Jason Aldean and Kid Rock on September 9 and 10.

Fenway Park has certainly come a long way building up a reputation as one of the premier concert locations in all of New England.  While the Boston Red Sox, Live Nation and all of the artists will be the parties to profit from this, the local economy in the city will reap the benefits as well. These eleven dates are eleven additional opportunities for all businesses in the area - hospitality, retail, etc, - to benefit from the influx of people in and around Fenway.

With the current lineup, 2016 certainly looks to be a concert season at Fenway that will be remembered for many years to come.

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.