SummerfestClient Information
8 October, 2019Print
American Family Insurance Amphitheater And BMO Harris Pavilion Enter Into Preferred Promoter Agreement With FPC Live
Milwaukee, WI – October 8, 2019 – Milwaukee World Festival, Inc has entered into a preferred promoter agreement with Wisconsin-based concert promotion company, Frank Productions Concerts (FPC Live) to co-promote concerts at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater and BMO Harris Pavilion. This announcement comes in anticipation of the June 2020 grand opening of the new American Family Insurance Amphitheater, which includes $53 million in production enhancements and patron amenities.
FPC Live, Wisconsin’s largest concert promoter, alongside with their joint venture partner, Live Nation, produce nearly 550 events annually in Wisconsin. The agreement gives FPC Live preferred booking rights to all national touring shows at both MWF venues, outside the Summerfest time period.
Summerfest, presented by American Family Insurance, The World’s Largest Music FestivalÒ, and other events will continue to be promoted in-house by the Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. management team.
“As we look forward to the grand opening of the new American Family Insurance Amphitheater next June, we are excited to begin this new relationship to continue our legacy as Milwaukee’s premier destination for music during the summer,” said Don Smiley, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “With $53 million in upgrades to the venue, our goal is to host as many concerts as possible during our festival season.”
“The combination of Henry Maier Festival Park’s longstanding history with Frank Productions’ 50 years of producing Wisconsin’s biggest concerts is going to lead to a successful future of more live events on Milwaukee’s lakefront,” said Charlie Goldstone, one of FPC Live’s Presidents. “We are thrilled to announce this relationship, and we cannot wait to get started.”
The American Family Insurance Amphitheater was originally completed in 1987 and has hosted legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Kenny Chesney, Dave Mathews Band, Metallica, Whitney Houston, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Pearl Jam. The grand opening of the new venue will take place in June 2020 and will feature $53 million in upgrades, including 65 feet of clearance above the stage to allow for larger productions, 19 new dressing rooms, new food and beverage options, additional restrooms, and a new seating bowl, as currently configured with the same capacity of 23,000.
The BMO Harris Pavilion opened in 2012 and features 5,000 seats undercover as well as a large general admission area. The stage was designed with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan as well as the Milwaukee city skyline. Hosting 11 nights of headliners on an annual basis at Summerfest, the venue has also seen artists like Lorde, Vampire Weekend, Steely Dan, 21 Pilots and Diana Ross.
FPC Live is one of the top 10 promoters in the world, producing concerts throughout the Midwest as well as tours across North America. In addition, FPC Live owns/operates four Madison venues (The Sylvee, Orpheum Theatre, Majestic Theatre, and High Noon Saloon) as well as two Columbia, Missouri venues (The Blue Note and Rose Music Hall).
Shows booked for 2020 will fall under this new agreement and will be announced on a rolling basis. Newly announced events will be listed on the websites www.AmFamAmp.com and www.BMOHarrisPavilion.com, as well as on FPC Live’s social media pages and website (www.FPC-Live.com). Fans are encouraged to join social communities for each venue on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the handles @AmFamAmp and @BMOHarrisPavilion / @BMOPavilion (Twitter only).
Tickets to all shows at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater will continue to be sold at the box office and through Ticketmaster.com. All operations and day-to-day business will continue to be managed by the Milwaukee World Festival staff.
About American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Set on the shores of Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee, WI with incredible views of the city skyline, the American Family Insurance Amphitheater provides an unparalleled live music experience for patrons and performers. The American Family Insurance Amphitheater is currently undergoing a $53 million renovation, which will debut in June 2020, transforming the premier music venue into a world class music experience for both fans and performers. It will feature enhanced production capabilities, reimagined food and beverage options, increased accessibility, new hospitality and amenities, new seating bowl configuration with improved sightlines, new concourses, and more. For more information visit www.AmFamAmp.com and follow @AmFamAmp on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.