Sweet sounds coming to Sweetland

Published 10:00 am Friday, February 3, 2017

LaGRANGE – Sweetland is set to echo with the musical talent of a set of artists ranging from The Beach Boys to Vince Gill this summer in what is sure to be a memorable second year for the 2,500-capacity venue.

The Sweetland Amphitheatre announced its 2017 Summer Concert Series presented by All Pro Auto Group on Thursday. The series will feature five concerts in its April through September season, including nationally and internationally recognized Grammy award-winning artists

The series plans to kick-off with the classic sound of summer with The Beach Boys on April 7, and while the band is down two of its original members, the even now critically acclaimed group promises to be an experience to remember.

The summer series will keep going strong with the funk, rhythm, blues stylings of Kool & the Gang on May 28. The band was hugely popular in the 1970s and 1980s for hits like Celebration and Cherish. They won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1979 for the album Saturday Night Fever.

On June 9, the amphitheatre will take on the sound of country music with Vince Gill who has received 20 Grammy Awards and sold more than 26 million albums. He is well known for hits Never Knew Lonely and When I Call Your Name. He is married to Amy Grant.

Then in July, The Molly Ringwalds are set to take the stage with An ‘80s Tribute + The Return and A Tribute to the Beatles on July 1.  The British band is well known for creating a ‘80s concert experience and is well known for their fantastic covers of Beatles classics.

The final band in the series is set to be announced on Feb. 20 and is set to perform on Sept. 29.

“We couldn’t be more excited and proud of the diverse line up we have assembled for our 2017 Summer Concert Series,” said Sweetland Director Becca Eiland in a press release. “Sweetland is a first-class venue that provides patrons an intimate, outdoor setting that is second-to-none and we look forward to hosting visitors from around the region to enjoy a concert at this one-of-a-kind venue and see first-hand why everyone falls in love with Sweetland.”

Ticket prices for each show will vary and range between $32.50 for general admission lawn seats to $120 per VIP Orchestra Pit table seats with VIP Suite access. Season ticket renewals will begin today at 10 a.m. New season ticket sales will begin Friday, Feb. 10th at 2 p.m. and single ticket concert sales will begin Friday, Feb. 17th at 10 a.m.

In addition to the summer concert series, Sweetland is also set to feature other concerts and events like Jason Isbell + Hiss Golden Messenger on March 31 and Blackberry Smoke on April 28. The amphitheatre also plans to host free community events with its Sunsets at Sweetland which will include music and movie nights the first Fridays in June, July and August.

Sweetland also plans to host the Craft Beer and Music Festival for its second year at the amphitheatre, and thanks to local breweries opening in West Point and LaGrange this summer, locals may get to try out some craft beers from close to home.

For more information about Sweetland Amphtheatre and its future events visit www.sweetland.events.

Reach Alicia B. Hill at alicia.hill@lagrangenews.com or at 706-884-7311, Ext. 2154.