Somerset Amphitheater

File:Anthrax Frank Bellow 2015-05-05 Northern Invasion.jpg

A concert site since 1981, the venue changed its name to Somerset Amphitheater in 2011 when new owner Matt Mithun (of the Mithun family) took over.{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/128016208.html | title=SoundTown: Hope floats on the Apple River | publisher=Star Tribune | date=2011-08-18 | accessdate=2014-01-25}} Since then many upgrades and improvements have been made to the amphitheater and onsite campgrounds.{{cite web|last=Swensson |first=Andrea |url=http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2011/05/sound_town_brin.php |title=Sound Town brings the Flaming Lips, New Pornographers, over a dozen locals to Somerset August 19–20 |publisher=Blogs.citypages.com |date=2011-05-16 |accessdate=2014-01-29}} The amphitheater expanded the removable reserved seating area and built an enclosed Saloon with a bar for a more intimate setting with an approximate capacity of 1,000. In 2013 the Grove stage was added in the valley between the main amphitheater and the North Campground. The Grove has a capacity of approximately 10,000. There are three campgrounds onsite; the North and South Campgrounds, which are both general camping, and the VIP Campground which has electric and water hookups for RVs and permanent bathrooms and showers.

In 2011 the first Somerset Amphitheater concert under new ownership opened with a weekend full of music at the Soundtown Music and Camping Festival. Over thirty bands performed on the three stages, and featured the nationally known artist group The Flaming Lips as a headliner. This was a small yet promising preview of what the amphitheater would bring concert goers for years to come.

Since its reopening, the amphitheater has hosted many concerts and events, including the touring acts of My Morning Jacket,{{cite web | url=http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2012/08/my_morning_jacket_somerset_8_10_12.php | title=My Morning Jacket at Somerset Amphitheater | date=2012-08-13 | accessdate=2014-01-28}} the first annual Knotfest{{cite web|last=Fischer |first=Reed |url=http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2012/08/knotfest_2012_timeline_somerset_amphitheater_8_18_12.php?page=2 |title=Slipknot's Knotfest at Somerset Amphitheater, 8/18/12 |publisher=Blogs.citypages.com |date=2012-08-20 |accessdate=2014-01-29}} featuring Slipknot, Summer Set Music and Camping Festival,{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/218881161.html | title=Doubling down on the Summer Set Festival | date=2013-08-08 | accessdate=2014-01-28 | last=Riemenschneider | first=Chris}} Northern Invasion, Trampled by Turtles and The Avett Brothers.{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/213742871.html | title=Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile put on perfectly summery sets | publisher=Star Tribune | date=2013-06-30 | accessdate=2014-01-29 | author=Riemenschneider, Chris}} Besides musical performances, the venue hosted Tough Mudder, a British military style obstacle course{{cite web | url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tough-mudder-obstacle-course-2011-8?op=1 | title=This Obstacle Course Was Designed By British Special Forces And It's Absolutely Crazy | publisher=Business Insider | date=2011-08-02 | accessdate=2014-01-29 | author=Manfred, Tony}} and the Border Battle Beer Festival, a friendly rivalry of Minnesota and Wisconsin breweries battling each other for the most favored among taste testers.

Before 2011, the venue had music acts varying from the Blues, Country, Bluegrass/Folk, Indie, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Alternative genres perform on the stages. Annual concert festivals included Apple River Country Splash, Ozzfest, and 93X Fest (previously Edgefest). Other music tours featured acts of the Family Values Tour 2007, Projekt Revolution the Vans Warped Tour, Bob Dylan in '03, Soul Asylum in '93, Violent Femmes (from Milwaukee) in '94 and Garbage (from Madison) in '96 (at 93X EdgeFest). It hosted Illinois' REO Speedwagon in '93, and Disturbed and Chevelle in 2016 (at the Northern Invasion festival). The first concert held at the amphitheater was in 1981 with Charlie Daniels.

• List of contemporary amphitheatres

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{{Music venues of Wisconsin}}

• [http://www.somersetamphitheater.com/ Somerset Amphitheater Official Website]

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Category:Buildings and structures in St. Croix County, Wisconsin

Category:Music venues in Wisconsin

Category:Tourist attractions in St. Croix County, Wisconsin

Category:Event venues established in 1981

Category:1981 establishments in Wisconsin