This year represents a real changing of the guard in acts playing Chevy Court. There’s been gradual trend, but this line-up shows significant movement toward a younger demographic. On the other hand, there sure doesn’t seem like much to attract the over-40 crowd.
Let’s see, there’s perpetual teenager Bowser and the over-the-hill Oak Ridge Boys on senior days. Then count Steve Miller, Melissa Etheridge, and Rick Springfield. OK, add the Jacksons and Orleans. That’s seven acts.
Snoop Dog? He’s no kid, but you have to expect the hip hop audience that will seek out him and Salt-N-Pepper to be predominantly youngish. The real change is represented by newer or less-familiar acts like Nate Ruess, Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, R5, Fifth Harmony and the Swon Brothers. Bigger names Meghan Trainor and Nick Jonas are likely to draw big crowds that will, no doubt, include mixed ages, but baby boomers are not storming those stages.
When you come down to it, Chevy Court is a young person’s venue. For popular shows, most viewers will be standing, often in crowded conditions, in unpredictable weather. So going new age may be a good call, as long as the quality of performances doesn’t diminish.
The real proof will be in the size of the crowds in front of the Stan Colella Stage, so watch attendance numbers. Should be interesting.
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