By Anna Meany
A large riverfront investment has not just contributed to a Cardinal basketball arena, but a brand new concert venue. The Eagles were the first performers at the KFC Yum! Center, which is located in downtown Louisville. Louisville’s own My Morning Jacket recently utilized the venue for their homecoming concert. Band members humored the audience by dressing up as Colonel Sanders during the encore, each donning a white wig and mustache. Performing in such a massive arena seemed to empower band members, as they continuously awed at the crowd size. Live music has always captured my heart and my wallet. Standing front row at the My Morning Jacket concert made the show infinitely more enjoyable. And I can imagine lives that will be changed by incredible shows to come. The KFC Yum! Center has the potential to host concerts of all genres and to attract many local music lovers.
One drawback of building a fancy stadium is the prices audiences will be charged. Paying $50 or more to see your favorite band from the nosebleed section isn’t ideal. Due to the size of the arena, most shows will be costly, hovering around prices many college students can’t afford. Lady Gaga feels she should charge fans up to $180 to attend her concert at the Yum! Center. However, seeing such popular artists as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga may be worth the financial strain to some.
A huge stadium, hosting sporting events and concerts, will bring employment, added tourism revenue, and vast amounts of business for downtown restaurants and shops. Complete with the latest technology, it is a venue that can host a variety of acts, including comedian Dane Cook, the Harlem Globetrotters, and extravagant music shows. From my experience, the KFC Yum! Center will be a great home for the Cardinals, and for touring musicians trying to make bank.
