Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is an outdoor amphitheater located on the man-made peninsula

Northerly Island Northerly Island is a man-made peninsula along Chicago's Lake Michigan lakefront. The site of the Adler Planetarium, Northerly Island connects to the mainland through a narrow isthmus along Solidarity Drive. This street is dominated by Neoclassi ...

, in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

. The venue is a temporary structure, with the summer concert season running from May or June until September or October. The amphitheater opened in June 2005. It was previously named the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, and before that the Charter One Pavilion. Known as the "Venue with a View", the amphitheater has views of

Lake Michigan Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume () and the third-largest by surface area (), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. To the east, its basin is conjoined with that o ...

, Burnham Harbor,

Soldier Field Soldier Field is a multi-purpose stadium on the Near South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1924 and reconstructed in 2003, the stadium has served as the home of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) since 1 ...

, and the

Chicago skyline The buildings and architecture of Chicago reflect the city's history and multicultural heritage, featuring prominent buildings in a variety of styles. Most structures downtown were destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 (an exception being th ...

History

The venue lies on the former site of

Meigs Field Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport (pronounced , formerly ) was a single-runway airport in Chicago that was in operation from December 1948 until March 2003 on Northerly Island, an artificial peninsula on Lake Michigan. The airport sat adjacent to ...

. On March 30, 2003, Mayor

Richard M. Daley Richard Michael Daley (born April 24, 1942) is an American politician who served as the 54th mayor of Chicago, Illinois, from 1989 to 2011. Daley was elected mayor in 1989 and was reelected five times until declining to run for a seventh term ...

ordered a midnight demolition of the airfield. The construction crew excavated six large X's on the runway. Daley stated the continued operation of the airfield was a threat to Chicago's cityscape, using the events of

9/11 The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial ...

as a reference. The airfield was set to continue operation until 2011, when it would be turned over to the City of Chicago. No one within state or city government were consulted on the demolition besides Daley. The

Federal Aviation Administration The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...

fined the city $33,000, with an additional one million paid in grants. In August 2003, construction crews were sent in to continue demolition of the airfield. Originally, the space was planned to become an aviation museum. Daley refuted the plan and proposed the space become a lakefront park and nature reserve. Within the allocated 91 acres, Northerly Island was born. Over four acres were set aside for the forthcoming music venue.

About the venue

With the new advent of the nature reserve to replace Meigs Field, the

Chicago Park District The Chicago Park District is one of the oldest and the largest park districts in the United States. As of 2016, there are over 600 parks included in the Chicago Park District as well as 27 beaches, several boat harbors, two botanic conservatories ...

proposed an outdoor music venue, similar to the

Ravinia Pavilion Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic unde ...

. Construction began in December 2004. Since the venue would be located on the nature reserve, the structure would be erected in June and disassembled in September of each year. The venue was designed by Mark Dewalt of Valerio Dewalt Train Associates; costing $1.7 million to construct. The amphitheater features a 56' × 40' stage with 15' × 20' video screens on either side of the stage. It features three grandstands (totaling 3,666 seats) and a general admission area (totaling 4,500 seats). The Chicago Park District receives roughly $250,000 from the venue (through sponsorship deals) and $1 from every ticket sold during concert season. The venue opened June 24, 2005, with a concert by American band

Earth, Wind & Fire Earth, Wind & Fire (EW&F or EWF) is an American band whose music spans the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, big band, Latin, and Afro pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million re ...

. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue implemented a new bag policy at their events. To reduce staff contact with guest belongings, they allow clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and/or small clutch bags (4.5”x 6.5”). No other bags of any type will be allowed.

2013 expansion

The Chicago Park District originally sought expansion in 2010, wanting to increase capacity to 14,000 and attract mainstream acts to the venue. The city voted against the expansion in 2011. In March 2013, the Chicago Plan Commission approved a $3 million plan to grow the venue's capacity from 8,000 to 30,000 seats. This would mean rotating the stage to feature a lawn seating area, increasing the overall space of the venue from 4.78 to 6.9 acres. Additionally, two 300-seat grandstands were added, while the lawn arena can accommodate 22,000. There's a 12-foot slope from the front of stage to the rear of lawn, providing the proper elevation change so that the lawn can be used as a park area when not in use by the pavilion. The expansion also includes shuttle buses from the neighboring Soldier Field to help concert attendees with parking. The main entrance was widened to accommodate the capacity expansion. Delay systems for sound were added to the stage and lawn area. The original video screens were replaced by two 14' × 27'

LED A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor Electronics, device that Light#Light sources, emits light when Electric current, current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy i ...

screens and two 11' × 17' LED screens in the lawn area. The newly renovated venue was expected to open June 27, 2013. However, due to heavy rainfall the opening was postponed. Concerts by Dispatch and

O.A.R. O.A.R. (short for Of A Revolution) is an American rock band, founded in 1996 in Rockville, Maryland. The band consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Marc Roberge, drummer Chris Culos, guitarist Richard On, bassist Benj Gershman, saxophonist/guitar ...

were relocated to the

UIC Pavilion Credit Union 1 Arena (previously known as UIC Pavilion) is a multi-purpose arena located at 525 S. Racine Avenue on the Near West Side in Chicago, Illinois, which opened in 1982. Description and history Credit Union 1 Arena is located on the cam ...

. It was opened on June 29, 2013 by

Jimmy Buffett James William Buffett (born December 25, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and businessman. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffet ...

and the

Coral Reefer Band The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. The band's name alludes to both coral reefs (in line with Buffett's tropical-themed music) and "reefer" (slang for marijuana). Origins Current ...

Naming

Upon original conception, the venue was known as the Lakefront Pavilion. On June 22, 2005, it was announced Charter One Financial purchased naming rights for five years, for $2.5 million. From 2005 until 2013, the venue was known as the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. With new construction underway, it was revealed the venue was seeking a new sponsorship deal. In June 2013, Ohio-based

FirstMerit Corporation FirstMerit Corporation was a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of approximately $26.2 billion as of June 30, 2016, and 359 banking offices and 400 ATM locations in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinoi ...

purchased a multi-year naming rights agreement. The length of the contract and amount were not disclosed. From June 27, 2013 until January 8, 2017 the venue was known as the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion. Huntington Bank acquired FirstMerit Bank near the end of 2016. On January 9, 2017 the venue name was changed to reflect this. The venue is now known as Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. *Lakefront Pavilion (planning/construction) *Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island (June 24, 2005 – June 26, 2013) *FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (June 27, 2013 – January 8, 2017) *Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (January 9, 2017 – present)

Performances

2023

Louis Tomlinson Louis William Tomlinson (; born Louis Troy Austin; 24 December 1991) is an English singer and songwriter. He rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction. Tomlinson began his career appearing in television dramas before he auditioned ...

- Faith In The Future World tour June 15th, 2023

2022

Conan Gray Conan Lee Gray (born December 5, 1998) is an American singer and songwriter. Born in Lemon Grove, California and raised in Georgetown, Texas, he began uploading vlogs, Cover version, covers and original songs to YouTube as a teenager. Gray sig ...

Superache Tour Since the beginning of his career in 2017, Conan Gray has embarked on four concert tours and appeared as a support act on one tour. He has performed at twelve music festivals, six one-off concerts, and one award show, reaching thirty countries a ...

September 28th, 2022 * 5 Seconds of Summer -

Take My Hand World Tour The Take My Hand World Tour (previously known as the No Shame Tour) was the fourth headlining concert tour by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer in support of their fourth and fifth studio albums '' Calm'' (2020) and ''5SOS5'' (2022) ...

July 16th, 2022 *

Big Time Rush ''Big Time Rush'' is an American musical sitcom television series created by Scott Fellows that originally aired on Nickelodeon from November 28, 2009, to July 25, 2013 and is currently available in Paramount+. It focuses on the Hollywood misa ...

Forever Tour Forever Tour is the sixth headlining concert tour by American boy band, Big Time Rush. The tour began on June 23, 2022, in Oxon Hill, MD, and ended on March 5, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The band announced the tour and its dates on February ...

July 7th, 2022

2017

Gorillaz Gorillaz are an English virtual band formed in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, from London. The band primarily consists of four fictional members: 2-D (vocals, keyboards), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar), Noodle (guitar, ...

Phish Phish is an American rock band formed in Burlington, Vermont, in 1983. The band is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a dedicated fan base. The band consists of guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon ...

- 3 Nights Humanz Tour - July 8, 2017 * Rancid and

Dropkick Murphys Dropkick Murphys are an American Celtic punk band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. Singer and bassist Ken Casey has been the band's only constant member. Other current members include drummer Matt Kelly (1997– ), singer Al Barr (199 ...

From Boston To Berkeley tour-August 8, 2017

2016

Fifth Harmony Fifth Harmony, often shortened to 5H, was an American girl group based in Miami, composed of Ally Brooke, Normani, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and previously Camila Cabello until her departure from the group in December 2016. The group signe ...

, JoJo and Victoria Monet

The 7/27 Tour The 7/27 Tour was the second major headlining concert tour by American girl group Fifth Harmony, in support of their second studio album ''7/27'' (2016). The tour began in Lima, Peru on June 22, 2016, and concluded in Singapore on April 8, 2017. ...

- August 31, 2016 *Pretty Lights

2015

* Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters- September 23, 2015 * Farm Aid- September 19, 2015 * Counting Crows: Somewhere Under Wonderland Tour with Citizen Cope- September 12, 2015 * Rick Springfield with special guests Loverboy & The Romantics- September 10, 2015 * Sublime with Rome / Rebelution- August 20, 2015 * Yes & Toto 2015 Summer Tour- August 16, 2015 * The Smashing Pumpkins & Marilyn Manson: The End Times Tour- August 7, 2015 * Jim Gaffigan: Contagious- August 6, 2015 * The Australian Pink Floyd Show- July 30, 2015 * Bryan Adams "The Reckless Tour"- July 25, 2015 * Outcry Tour- July 24, 2015 * Rise Against- July 17, 2015 * Jill Scott- July 11, 2015 * John Fogerty: 1969– July 8, 2015 * Third Eye Blind And Dashboard Confessional- June 26, 2015 * Donny Trumpet- June 24, 2015 * Windy City LakeShake- June 21, 2015 * Windy City LakeShake- June 20, 2015 * Windy City LakeShake- June 19, 2015 * Barenaked Ladies – Last Summer on Earth 2015– June 16, 2015

2014

* David Gray-August 18, 2014 * Goo Goo Dolls & Daughtry with special guest Plain White T's- August 10, 2014 * Chicago and Reospeedwagon- August 9, 2014 * Panic! At The Disco-Gospel Tour- July 25, 2014 * Phish- July 20, 2014 * Phish- July 19, 2014 * Phish-July 18, 2014 * 311- July 11, 2014 * Soulshine feat Michael Franti& Spearhead/SOJA/Brett Dennen/Trevor Hall- July 10, 2014 * Dave Matthews Band- July 5, 2014 * Dave Matthews Band- July 4, 2014 * Ray LaMontagne- June 27, 2014 * The Fray- June 26, 2014 * O.A.R. and Phillip Phillips- June 21, 2014 * Widespread Panic- June 20, 2014 * Backstreet Boys with Very Special Guest Avril Lavigne- June 11, 2014 * Styx, Foreigner: The Soundtrack of Summer Tour with guest Don Felder- June 6, 2014 * Jack Johnson – From Here To Now To You Tour 2014– May 31, 2014

2013

* Umphrey's McGee & STS9 * The Black Crowes & Tedeschi Trucks Band * Backstreet Boys: In A World Like This Tour- August 2, 2013 * The Bounce TV Summer Music Festival With Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly- July 27, 2013 * Phish- July 22, 2013 * Phish- July 21, 2013 * Phish- July 20, 2013 * Jonas Brothers Live Tour- July 11, 2013 * Last Summer On Earth – Barenaked Ladies and Ben Folds Five- July 10, 2013 * Counting Crows and The Wallflowers * Unity Tour 2013: 311 With Cypress Hill & G. Love & Special Sauce- July 4, 2013 * Jimmy Buffett- June 29, 2013 * O.A.R. -June 28, 2013 * DISPATCH- July 27, 2013

2012

* The Avett Brothers- September 28, 2012 * Gotye with Missy Higgins- August 24, 2012 * 311 & Slightly Stoopid- August 17, 2012 * Chicago and The Doobie Brothers- July 28, 2012 * Pitbull: Planet Pit World Tour 2012– July 26, 2012. July 27, 2012 * O.A.R.- July 20, 2012 * Furthur featuring Phil Lesh & Bob Weir- July 17, 2012 * Maze and Frankie Beverly- July 12, 2012 * Sublime with Rome- July 12, 2012 * Last Summer on Earth Tour 2012– July 9, 2012 * The B-52's & Squeeze- July 6, 2012 * Scorpions – Final Sting Tour 2012 – June 29, 2012 * Styx/REO Speedwagon/Ted Nugent- June 24, 2012 * Jill Scott with Doug E Fresh- June 15, 2012 * Jill Scott- June 14, 2012

2009

* Nine Inch Nails - Wave Goodbye Tour- May 29, 2009

2005

* Destiny's Child - Destiny Fulfilled... and Lovin' It

Filmed performances

Incubus An incubus is a demon in male form in folklore that seeks to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; the corresponding spirit in female form is called a succubus. In medieval Europe, union with an incubus was supposed by some to result in t ...

– '' Look Alive'', filmed July 25, 2007 and released November 27, 2007 *

– '' Rain or Shine'', recorded June 18–19, 2009 and released January 12, 2010 *

Jason Mraz Jason Thomas Mraz (; born June 23, 1977) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence with the release of his debut studio album, ''Waiting for My Rocket to Come'' (2002), which spawned the single " The Remedy (I Won't ...

– '' Beautiful Mess: Live on Earth'', filmed August 13, 2009 and released November 6, 2009 *

311 311 may refer to: * 311 (number), a natural number * AD 311, a year of the Julian calendar, in the fourth century AD * 311 BC, a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar * 311 (band), an American band ** ''311'' (album), band 311's self-titled album ...

– '' 311: Live in Chicago'', filmed July 14, 2011

External links

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – Official SiteHuntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – Official Facebook PageHuntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – Official Twitter AccountDesign of venue

References

{{Music venues of Illinois Music venues in Chicago Amphitheaters in the United States Music venues in Illinois Music venues completed in 2005 2005 establishments in Illinois Live Nation Entertainment