WORTH THE DRIVE: More drive-in concerts planned this summer

A new way to experience live music is being rolled out by Live Nation in July.

"Live From the Drive-In," a drive-in concert series headlined by country music star Brad Paisley will take place over three days in three cities.

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Shows in Nashville, Tenn.; Maryland Heights, Mo. and Indianapolis, Ind. will take place July 10-12.

The re-imagined live concert experience will have artists performing full sets in front of large LED screens with speakers throughout the event for optimal sound from any location.

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It was created as a new way to experience live music in a time where social distancing is the norm. One ticket per vehicle gets you and your friends your own tailgating zone to stage your own chairs, food and drinks and throw the party you are looking for.

Here is the line-up for all three with the closest being the Ruoff Music Center in Indianapolis — about a two-hour drive from Dayton.

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July 10 

• Indianapolis, Ind.: Yacht Rock Revue, Ruoff Music Center

• Nashville, Tenn.: Jon Pardi, Nissan Stadium Parking Lot

• St. Louis, Mo.: Brad Paisley, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

July 11 

• Indianapolis, Ind.: Jon Pardi, Ruoff Music Center

• Nashville, Tenn.: Brad Paisley, Nissan Stadium Parking Lot

• St. Louis, Mo.: El Monstero, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

July 12 

• Indianapolis, Ind.: Brad Paisley, Ruoff Music Center

• Nashville Tenn.: Darius Rucker, Nissan Stadium Parking Lot

• St. Louis, Mo.: Nelly, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

On the Live Nation page related to the shows (www.livenation.com/drivein), it emphasizes that the safety of fans, artists and staff is a top priority. "Our drive-in shows were designed to maximize social distancing, and every event will meet all local health and safety standards, as well as state regulations."

Depending on the success it could mean a new live music model as artists and promoters work to find ways to operate during the pandemic.

TICKETS

Tickets will go on sale for the general public on Friday. Ticket prices fluctuate by show and by market. The ticket cost is for one car with a maximum number of four attendees per car. Visit www.livenation.com/drivein to learn more.

See said ticket prices will fluctuate by market, but they can be as low as $125, which is roughly $31 per person if the maximum number of four attendees per car attend.

“I’m very excited to do this because I wanted to make sure, if we were going to do anything like this, that they had the important stuff worked out,” Paisley said in an interview with the Associated Press. “My goal would be not to spread this virus to one person. There should be no spread from this. That’s key. I just don’t think it’s worth doing shows if we’re putting people at risk. The idea that we’re outdoors is a great thing. I just think it’s a fun way to watch a concert anyway. It’d be fun if there wasn’t a virus.”

A menu of hot food items and nonalcoholic will be available for purchase, Live Nation said. People can place orders online and the items will be delivered to their designated tailgate zone.

Fans will only be able to leave their pods to access single restrooms, which See said will be cleaned regularly throughout the show. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks when leaving for restrooms.

"We’re giving you what’s about the size of a double-car garage to where you’re going to be able to park your car, get out of your car, and have a great tailgating hang for you and your friends, and listen to music through proper professional PA and amazing audio and video display. It’s really a different aspect of drive-in and live. It’s highly experiential,” Tom See, president of Live Nation Venues-US Concerts, told the AP.

— This article contains information from the Associated Press

Contact this contributing writer at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com.

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