Many things make a home a home. Four walls that are your own personal sanctuary, the people within them, and the location itself among them. With the latter, Huntsville continues to deliver – from exponential growth, celebrity eateries, college and professional sports, and tremendous views throughout the Tennessee Valley.
The Orion Amphitheater: A Premier Entertainment Venue
One of the newest and brightest stars in the Rocket City is by far The Orion Amphitheater. Built at an approximate cost of $41 million and opened with a Jake Owen concert on May 7, 2022, The Orion is not only one of the new premier venues in Huntsville but also the State of Alabama.
In its short time in existence, the 8,000-seat venue, without a bad seat in the house, has brought the likes of the Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams, Jr., REO Speedwagon, Luke Bryan and the legendary James Taylor to North Alabama. When high-profile acts such as these aren’t in town, art festivals, food trucks, and ice skating are among the activities that keep The Orion ingrained in the community.
In addition to that lineup, it also brought both The Smashing Pumpkins’ The World is a Vampire Tour, and Train’s Definitely Not A Tour tour to Huntsville within weeks of each other this past summer. As is often the case with such venues, they also partner with local radio for ticket giveaways and both myself and my wife were able to experience the first-class operation that is The Orion through a pair of contest wins. Whether you are winning tickets or setting aside hard-earned cash to see your favorite band, Huntsville’s newest destination is the place to do it.
Discovering The Orion: A Memorable Concert Experience
Having never been to The Orion it was an eye-opening experience for that Smashing Pumpkins concert on August 17.
Venue Location and Surroundings
One of the first things you notice is that the venue is situated in the thriving MidCity District right off University Boulevard. Already an area replete with restaurants and shopping, it is also one that mirrors the growth of Huntsville, with parking decks and housing developments coming up at an extraordinary rate.
Seamless Ticketing and Entrance
Once you make your way back to the footprint of the venue, either from University or the new and convenient MidCity Way exit off 565, you find ample parking with fees that are built right into your ticket price.
After just pulling into a space and not having to worry about digging out cash or change to pay, you’ll find that The Orion has made it even easier when it comes to tickets – there are none. At least not in the traditional sense.
As you step up to the main entrance, you just pull up your ticket through AXS on your phone, and the staff happily directs you to your section. If you need accommodations of any kind, Guest Services, located conveniently on the ground floor, gets you taken care of right away.
Gates Open and Concert Highlights
Gates typically open at least an hour and a half before showtime, giving you ample opportunity to not only check out the view from your seat but also to roam the inside of the venue and get a feel for it from all angles. It also gives you time to scope out the multiple concession areas, food trucks just outside the concourse, and the vendors selling memorabilia from that night’s performers.
Once the sun goes down and the lights come up, The Orion truly shines. On that night, it was the opening acts of Rival Sons and Interpol before the Smashing Pumpkins took the stage. On September 6, it would be one of the top country acts in Parmalee leading off and then performing with Train. Each delivered a tremendous light and graphic show using venue technology to go hand-in-hand with top-notch musical performances.
Weather Contingency and Fan Interaction
With an outdoor facility, though, there is always the risk of weather playing a role in the evening’s festivities – and that would be the case right after Parmalee got done with their set. While fans would have to wait for Train to take the stage as rain and lightning swept through the area, they wouldn’t have to worry about being exposed to the weather. The Orion has ample coverage on the concourse encircling the venue, and members of the staff come through regularly to keep guests informed of the situation.
Once the weather cleared enough for fans to return to their seats, Train lead singer Patrick Monahan would make sure it would be an ultra interactive experience. As part of a show featuring their greatest hits, fans tossed their phones on stage for him to take selfies (No word on if and how they actually got back to their owners when he tossed them back, though).
The weather could have also impacted fans’ ability to see the full set list for the headlining act, but you couldn’t tell the difference from the seats. With a show slated to run right up to the 11 p.m. noise ordinance before the delay, fans didn’t miss a thing as the final song ended right at that time. Typically, at that point, you would begin the arduous task of getting out of both the venue and the parking lot. Not so with The Orion. Within seven minutes, my wife and I were down the ramp by our seats, to the car and out of the parking lot, and on with our evening.
The Orion Amphitheater Experience
Whether you are into the concert scene or the various year-round activities slated for the colder months, without a doubt, The Orion offers something for everyone and is truly one of the things that makes Huntsville home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Orion Amphitheater Located?
The Orion Amphitheater is located at 701 Amphitheater Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35806.
How many Seats does The Orion Amphitheater have?
The amphitheater has a seating capacity of 8,000.
Who owns The Orion Amphitheater?
The Orion Amphitheater is a city-owned facility similar to the Von Braun Center. Profits from its operation, including venue rentals to promoters and bands, bar revenue, and sponsorship revenue, go to the city of Huntsville. The Huntsville Venue Group receives a flat fee, around five percent, for its services.
Who is the CEO of The Orion Amphitheater?
The Venue Group, which operates The Orion Amphitheater, is led by Ben Lovett, the CEO. He is also known for his role as co-founder/keyboardist of Mumford & Sons. The amphitheater was created with a strong community focus, in line with Lovett’s vision.
Who designed The Orion Amphitheater?
The design of The Orion Amphitheater was a collaborative effort between Matheny Goldmon (Architect of Record) and David M. Schwarz Architects (Design Architect). The goal was to create an epic, classical venue reminiscent of the great theaters and colosseums of antiquity, providing a unique and memorable experience for the audience.
