MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets football teams. With a seating capacity of over 80,000, it is also a major venue for large concerts and other events. When staging major concerts, a key consideration is whether the stadium will be covered or open air. There are pros and cons to both options from the perspective of the artist, promoter, and fans. This article will examine the stadium’s concert setup and the factors that determine if the roof is used.
MetLife Stadium’s Concert Configuration
MetLife Stadium was built with a retractable roof that can cover about 80% of the seating area. When closed, the roof protects fans and performers from weather conditions. However, the stadium was primarily designed as an open-air football venue.
For most major concerts, the roof remains open. The stage is set up at one end zone with general admission on the field and reserved seating in the stands. With the roof open, the sound resonates through the large open spaces. Fans get more of a festival-like experience compared to an indoor arena show.
Notable Open Air Concerts at MetLife
Some of the biggest acts in music have played massive open-air concerts at MetLife Stadium, including:
Artist | Tour | Year |
---|---|---|
One Direction | Where We Are Tour | 2014 |
Taylor Swift | The 1989 World Tour | 2015 |
Beyonce & Jay Z | On the Run II Tour | 2018 |
Ed Sheeran | ÷ Tour | 2018 |
The stadium has hosted other major tours by artists like U2, Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, and The Rolling Stones with the roof open. The scale of the production is matched to the huge outdoor environment.
When the Roof is Closed
There are certain circumstances when the MetLife Stadium roof may be closed for a concert:
Inclement Weather
If the weather forecast calls for heavy rain or storms on the day of the show, the roof may be used to keep the stage and fans dry. Event staff monitor weather reports closely in the days leading up to the concert and make the call on whether to close the roof. If rain is expected, they want to make that decision early so stage, lighting and video crews can adjust their setup accordingly.
Even if the forecast changes, once the production aspects are configured for an indoor show, it is usually kept closed. Artists and fans appreciate not getting soaked during a performance.
Winter Months
Concerts held at MetLife Stadium later in the year, such as November or December, may opt to use the roof simply due to colder temperatures. Outdoor shows in the summer are normal, but fans bundled up in winter coats and gloves can be uncomfortable. The closed roof provides shelter from wind and retains some heat.
Promoters take this into account when routing tours. Stadium shows are rare in the Northeast during winter. However, for any that do get booked, the roof helps create more hospitable conditions.
Acoustics and Effects
Certain artists and styles of music may benefit from the acoustics of an indoor concert. The closed roof reverberates the sound differently than an open stadium. Lighting designers can also use the roof to mount rigs and create dynamic effects.
The type of show will determine if the unique atmosphere of a covered stadium is preferable. For example, Bruce Springsteen opted to close the roof and use it as part of the production for his memorable 2016 River Tour stop at MetLife Stadium.
Roof Operations for Concerts
Operating the retractable roof requires coordination between the stadium facilities team and the concert promoter. Here are some key factors:
Advanced Notice
The decision of whether the roof will be opened or closed for a concert usually needs to be finalized at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This allows sufficient time for stage, lighting and audiovisual providers to design their systems around the confirmed setup.
Last minute changes to the roof plan are highly disruptive. The tour manager, production manager and stadium officials maintain ongoing dialogue ahead of the show date.
Testing
Prior to fans entering on concert day, the roof operation will be tested to make sure all systems are working properly. Both opening and closing procedures will be checked, even if the current plan is to remain open or closed.
Testing provides an opportunity to identify and resolve any technical issues. It also confirms that the roof can be operated smoothly in case a decision is made for a last minute change due to weather.
Wind Conditions
If the roof is open for a concert, they monitor wind speeds throughout the event. Safety regulations prohibit operation of the roof above certain wind thresholds.
In the rare event that winds pick up unexpectedly, they may have to keep the roof open even if rain occurs. The tour, stadium officials and public safety personnel coordinate closely to ensure a safe event under changing weather circumstances.
Timing of Open/Close
The process for opening or closing the full roof can take 20-30 minutes. As fans are arriving and finding seats for a concert, they usually keep the roof in the starting open/closed position.
During the actual concert, any operation of the roof would be highly disruptive. Once the show begins, the roof position remains as originally set through completion of the performance and encore. Only in case of emergency would it be operated mid-show.
Conclusion
MetLife Stadium was built as a versatile, open-air venue with the capability to shield fans and the stage when needed. For most major concerts, the roof remains retracted to create an outdoor stadium atmosphere. But the option exists to close it if weather dictates or the artist wants to achieve certain production aesthetics. Coordination between the tour and stadium is key to smoothly integrate the roof into the concert setup. When operating properly, the roof expands the possibilities to attract top artists and provide an amazing live music experience.