In Retrospect: Polaris Amphitheater

02/03/2017

Got a favorite Polaris memory? Make sure to share it with us!

06/14/2016

A decade ago today, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers hit the stage at then Germain Amphitheater. Here's a review and pics from one our favorite photographers, Jason Perlman.

There are not many artists touring today whose songs can carry a show at a venue holding thousands instead of hundreds. Dave Matthews has been pulling it off for about a decade now, but Tom Petty has been doing it for over 30 years. Although there was a nice stage show filled with screens and stage…

06/09/2016

It was "The End of the World as We Know It" at Polaris 21 years ago today.

Get the R.E.M. Setlist of the concert at Polaris Amphitheater, Columbus, OH, USA on June 9, 1995 from the Monster Tour and other R.E.M. Setlists for free on setlist.fm!

05/20/2016

From 2004. Sadly, she cancelled due to "the knee injury she suffered filming her new music video." ... but still one of the best admats ever made.

05/10/2016

Around this time 22 years ago, the final touches were being made to prepare for the inaugural season at Polaris Amphitheater.

In the end, the shed's first season would feature 39 shows, including:

AEROSMITH
ALAN JACKSON
BARRY MANILOW
BETTE MIDLER
BILLY RAY CRYUS
BLUES FEST
BONNIE RAITT/BRUCE HORNSBY
CHICAGO
DAN FOGELBERG
DEPECHE MODE
EAGLES
FESTIVAL NEW ORLEANS
HANK WILLIAMS, JR
HORDE FESTIVAL
JAMES TAYLOR
JANET
JOHN MELLENCAMP
LIZA MINNELLI
LOLLAPALOOZA 1994
LYNYRD SKYNYRD/TED NUGENT
MEATLOAF
METALLICA
MICHAEL BOLTON
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
MOODY BLUES
MOTLEY CRUE
PANTERA
PHIL COLLINS
REBA MCINTIRE
REO SPEEDWAGON/EDDIE MONEY
SANTANA W/ ROBERT CRAY
SCORPIONS
SPIN DOCTORS
STEELY DAN
STEVE MILLER BAND
TRAVIS TRITT
WOMAD: PETER GABRIEL/MIDNIGHT OIL
YANNI
YES

04/21/2016

A sad day for music. As far as we can tell, he never hit the Polaris stage. His lone scheduled Polaris appearance for July 26, 1997 "Jam of the Year" tour was rescheduled and eventually cancelled.

Prince died earlier today (April 21) at his Paisley Park home and studio

04/18/2016

Sept. 16, 2007. Some of the amphitheater crew on-stage for a final goodbye.

04/18/2016

As we dig up more great Polaris content, know that we're looking for personal stories, photos, etc from employees, friends or just fans. Please tag us in anything you find!

04/12/2016

On Oct. 24, 2002, Villa Milano hosted the "First Annual Polaris Amphitheater Entertainment Auction," the first of six charity auctions that would raise over $80k for Children of the Future.

04/11/2016

A "Grass Pass" ad from 2005, featuring perhaps the greatest tagline in music advertising history.

04/08/2016

This date in 2000: 25 shows had just been announced for the summer season. Shows from Jimmy Buffett and Dave Matthews Band -- a double stand -- were already sold out. Other highlights were Britney Spears ($40 top priced ticket!), Don Henley, Kiss and Ozzfest. Not mentioned in the highlights: Club 80's with Wang Chung, Gene Loves Jezebel, Missing Persons & Flock of Seagulls.