BEND — Recent renovations to the Hayden Homes Amphitheater and its partnership with Live Nation Entertainment have transformed Bend into a world class location for concerts, bolstering the local economy and putting Central Oregon on the music map.

Ever since the amphitheater along the Deschutes River partnered with Live Nation and expanded its facilities in 2021 to be on par with industry standards, more big name bands have come to town, bringing economic prosperity with them.

For 20 years, the amphitheater was named Les Schwab Amphitheater in honor of the founder of Les Schwab Tire Centers, who was a mentor and friend of Bill Smith, the developer of the Old Mill District.  The name was changed in November 2021, just after the amphitheater’s first season with Live Nation, the largest concert promoter in the country.

In 2022, the amphitheater hosted 52 shows and welcomed approximately 235,000 visitors to the Old Mill District to see big concerts from Kenny Chesney, The Chicks, Wilco and Jack Johnson, among others, said Beau Eastes, the marketing director for the Old Mill District. The year prior, the number was 25 shows and 100,000 guests, he said. Eastes said many of the acts that came through Bend last year made Hayden Homes Amphitheater their only stop in Oregon, which shows Bend is becoming a popular destination for talent.

“A lot of these bigger bands, when they are playing, they are only making one stop in Oregon, and they are choosing Bend, Oregon instead of Portland metro, and I think that speaks to what we are doing as much as anything,” Eastes said.

Eastes said there will probably be fewer concerts this year. So far, Hayden Homes Amphitheater has announced 36 shows.

Eastes said prior to the 2021 concert season, the amphitheater demolished and rebuilt its stage. Now, the stage is 62-feet-tall and has been increased by 1,800 square feet, he said, bringing it on par with industry standards. Construction crews are currently working on the parking lot and sidewalks.

“Now we are on year three with that new stage, and I think concert goers here in Bend know how amazing this place is, but that word is getting out in the industry too,” Eastes said. 

The newfound prestige of Bend as a concert haven is a boon to the local economy, Eastes said. Out-of-town concert goers are making a whole weekend out of their visit, which means more money spent at hotels, pubs and grocery stores, he said.

In an email to the Bulletin, vice president of communications for Live Nation, Christina Karas, said the company is thrilled the amphitheater has become a destination for artists and fans.

“It’s a really special venue and we’re excited for the great line up of shows planned for the 2023 season,” Karas said. 

Kevney Dugan, the CEO of Visit Bend, said the economic impacts of the amphitheater are clear, mainly in the tourism sector like hotels, restaurants, breweries and other businesses in town.

“These concerts and the quality of those concerts and bringing people with a lot of enthusiasm and they are booking further out than they would to make sure they can get a hotel room when they do come over for a concert and that is allowing hotels to charge a higher rate per night,” Dugan said.

Charging higher hotel room rates brings in more tax revenue for the city, which translates into a positive economic impact overall, Dugan said. 

“Last summer there was a positive economic impact, especially through the summer months in terms of the amount spent in our community,” Dugan said. “What I think we all love is that Les Schwab Amphitheater (Hayden Homes Amphitheater) as an outdoor venue really fits the culture and ethos of our community and I think people will want to continue to be a part of that.”

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said she loves having such a big time music venue right here in town. 

“When I was a kid you had to drive to Portland to see a show. Any kind of band you were into, any kind of bigger pop band or rock band, there was never any thought that, ‘Oh, they’ll be coming to visit Bend,’ and that has completely changed,” Kebler said. “I think there are acts that want to come here. So, we get bigger and bigger names and we see more of those types of acts that people really want to see and never could see here before, so I think that is pretty cool.”

Kebler said last year she went to a couple of shows at the amphitheater, the last one being Odesza — the American electronic music duo originally from Washington — which played at the amphitheater in September.

Kebler said the spontaneity of concert going is one of her favorite things and last year she was able to score some Wilco tickets at the last minute. Kebler also attended some comedy acts at the amphitheater which she said were pretty awesome. 

This concert season she already has tickets for Beck, who is playing with the French pop rock band, Phoenix on Aug. 3.  

“It’s an incredible venue. And I think it can really give a boost to our local economy, and provide a boost to our arts and culture scene,” Kebler said of the amphitheater. “We encourage and want the Old Mill and the amphitheater folks to continue to be good community partners, which they have been.”

The lineup at Hayden Homes Amphitheater starts up on May 27 with the Back Roads Blues Festival: Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Joe Bonamassa followed by James Taylor on the 28. There are 20 shows on the roster already with shows booked out to August 19 including Bon Iver, Indigo Girls & Neko Case, Whisky Myers, Death Cab for Cutie, and Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band.