FirstBank Amphitheater
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = FirstBank Amphitheater
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| location = 4525 Graystone Quarry Ln
Franklin, Tennessee, United States
| coordinates = {{coord|35.810340|-86.840156|display=inline,title}}
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| opened = 2021
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| operator = Live Nation Entertainment{{cite news |last1=Paulson |first1=Dave |title=FirstBank Amphitheater: New venue in Thompson's Station plans to open in 2021 |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/03/10/firstbank-amphitheater-thompsons-station-venue-plans-2021-opening/6938348002/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=The Tennessean |date=10 March 2021}}
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| seating_capacity = 7,500
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| website = [https://www.firstbankamphitheater.com firstbankamphitheater.com]
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FirstBank Amphitheater is an open-air music venue located on the site of a former rock quarry in Franklin, Tennessee. The amphitheater has hosted concerts since 2021, and can accommodate a capacity of 7,500.{{cite news |last1=Leimkuehler |first1=Matthew |date=5 May 2023 |title=Your guide to concert season at FirstBank Amphitheater |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/05/05/firstbank-amphitheater-guide-to-parking-food-shows-and-more/70158650007/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=The Tennessean }}
History
The quarry at the site of the amphitheater had been used in the 1960s during the construction of I-65, and subsequently abandoned with some 800 tons of faulty cement culverts left behind.{{cite news |last1=Czarnecki |first1=Collin |title=5,000-seat venue to put Thompson's Station 'on map' |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/thompsons-station/2015/08/31/5000-seat-venue-put-thompsons-station-map/71453360/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=The Tennessean |date=31 August 2015}} In 2014, the land was purchased by husband-and-wife business partners Rick and Nancy McEachern, who reportedly cleared 900 tons of trash from the site over the following year and a half.
The venue opened in 2021 with a benefit concert featuring Florida Georgia Line, Maren Morris, and other country performers,{{cite news |last1=Leimkuehler |first1=Matthew |title=FirstBank Amphitheater opens with all-star benefit concert led by Florida Georgia Line, Maren Morris |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2021/08/04/feeding-nashville-firstbank-amphitheater-opens-florida-georgia-line-maren-morris-thomas-rhett/7968099002/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |work=The Tennessean |date=4 August 2021}} and has since hosted acts such as Zach Bryan, Cody Johnson, Willie Nelson, and Mavis Staples.
Traffic issues
Starting with its first concert, FirstBank Amphitheater has faced major traffic problems before and after events, leading to complaints from both neighbors and concert-goers.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-05 |title=Concert goers navigate traffic nightmare during FirstBank Amphitheater opening night |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/concert-goers-navigate-traffic-nightmare-during-firstbank-amphitheater-opening-night |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF) |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Baird |first=Brittney |date=4 August 2021 |title=Traffic trouble during first concert at FirstBank Amphitheater |url=https://www.wkrn.com/news/traffic-trouble-during-first-concert-at-firstbank-amphitheater/ |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=WKRN}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-05 |title=Neighbors, concert-goers upset about traffic at First Bank Amphitheater in Williamson County |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/neighbors-and-concert-goers-are-upset-about-traffic-at-first-bank-amphitheater-in-williamson-county |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF) |language=en}} In 2022, before the amphitheater's second season, CEO Rick McEachern addressed a Thompson's Station Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting to discuss planned fixes, including additional lanes and improved signage.{{Cite web |last=Willis |first=Alexander |date=2022-01-12 |title=FirstBank Amphitheater owner talks improvements after first season's traffic struggles |url=https://www.thenewstn.com/spring_hill/firstbank-amphitheater-owner-talks-improvements-after-first-seasons-traffic-struggles/article_40076612-7415-11ec-99c6-976369ebf170.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The News |language=en}}
Sold-out events at the venue average about 3,000 private cars. As of 2024, there are no public transportation options available.{{Cite web |title=Getting Here {{!}} FirstBank Amphitheater |url=https://www.firstbankamphitheater.com/getting-here |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=www.firstbankamphitheater.com |language=en}}
References
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