Riverbend Music Center and PNC Pavilion are two popular outdoor amphitheaters located in Cincinnati, Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina respectively. Both venues host concerts and live events throughout the summer months and have a similar capacity of around 20,000 seats. However, there are some key differences between the two venues in terms of location, history, amenities, and more.
Locations
Riverbend Music Center is located along the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio. The address is 6295 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230. It resides within the Coney Island amusement park near downtown Cincinnati and sits along the Ohio River. The music center is approximately 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati.
PNC Pavilion is located at 707 Pavilion Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262. It is situated in the University City area, around 10 miles northeast of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. The amphitheater is next to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus.
Venue History
Riverbend Music Center opened in 1984 and was originally known as Coney Island Amphitheater. It was renamed Riverbend Music Center in 1986. The venue is owned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and managed by Live Nation. With a capacity of 20,500 seats, Riverbend has hosted artists across genres like Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews Band, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, and Widespread Panic.
PNC Pavilion opened in 1991 as Blockbuster Pavilion. The original capacity was around 5,000 seats. In 1998, it was demolished and rebuilt to become the current venue with a capacity of 19,500 seats. Artists like Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, Dead & Company, Justin Timberlake, and many more have performed at PNC Pavilion over the years.
Seating & Layout
Riverbend Music Center has reserved seated tickets as well as lawn seating. The pavilion section closer to the stage has over 7,000 reserved seats under roof cover. Behind the pavilion is expansive lawn seating that can accommodate up to 13,000 guests. People can bring chairs and blankets to set up on the lawn area.
PNC Pavilion also features reserved seated tickets and lawn seating. There are over 6,500 seats in the covered pavilion nearest the stage. The lawn area has space for about 13,000 more guests to sit on blankets or lawn chairs. The furthest sections of the lawn have large video screens to view the stage.
Amenities
As an outdoor venue, Riverbend Music Center offers some nice amenities to enhance the guest experience:
- Food and beverage concessions
- Free shuttle service from downtown Cincinnati
- VIP packages with premium parking, club access, drinks, and more
- Box seats available for lease
- Accessible seating for disabled guests
- General admission lawn seating
- Private suites with indoor lounge access
PNC Pavilion has the following amenities:
- Extensive food and drink menus
- VIP tickets with private entrance, club access, drinks, etc.
- Accessible seating options
- Free parking lots surrounding venue
- Lawn chairs and blankets permitted
- Box seats for lease
- Private suites with indoor lounges
- General admission lawn seating
Weather Policy
Since Riverbend Music Center is an open-air amphitheater, weather can impact events. All concerts happen rain or shine. However, if there is severe weather on the day of the event, show times may be delayed. Umbrellas and rain ponchos are permitted. Guests can call the weather hotline for updates.
PNC Pavilion also proceeds with shows rain or shine, except in extreme weather. Guests are allowed to bring small umbrellas and other rain gear. In case of cancellations, announcements will be made on social media and the venue’s website.
Nearby Amenities
Riverbend Music Center is situated within the Coney Island amusement park along the Ohio River. Guests can enjoy the park before or after shows. Coney Island has roller coasters, water rides, games, restaurants, and river access for boating.
PNC Pavilion is close to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus. There are hotels, restaurants, and shopping nearby. The city of Charlotte also provides entertainment, nightlife, parks, museums, and more to enjoy around PNC Pavilion events.
Transportation & Parking
Riverbend Music Center offers on-site paid parking lots for shows. Guests can also take a free shuttle from downtown Cincinnati before and after events. Rideshare pickup and dropoff occur outside the venue’s entrance gate.
PNC Pavilion has multiple parking lots surrounding the venue that cost per space. Rideshares can pick up and drop off near the entrance gate. The city light rail Lynx Blue Line has a stop 1 mile away at JW Clay Blvd Station.
Ticket Prices
Tickets prices at both Riverbend Music Center and PNC Pavilion vary based on the performer, seat location, and package. Here is an overview of average price ranges:
Section | Riverbend Music Center | PNC Pavilion |
---|---|---|
Lawn Seating | $15 – $30 | $20 – $40 |
Reserved Pavilion | $30 – $100 | $40 – $150 |
VIP Packages | $100+ | $200+ |
Notable Performers
Some of the top acts that have performed at Riverbend Music Center include:
- Dave Matthews Band
- Rascal Flatts
- Bob Dylan
- Chicago
- Kelly Clarkson
- Brad Paisley
- Jimmy Buffett
- James Taylor
- Def Leppard
- The Eagles
PNC Pavilion has hosted huge names like:
- Justin Timberlake
- Aerosmith
- Jimmy Buffett
- Dave Matthews Band
- Luke Bryan
- The Eagles
- Rod Stewart
- Chicago
- Santana
- Zac Brown Band
Upcoming Events
At Riverbend Music Center, some performances scheduled for the 2023 season include:
- deadmau5 – May 25
- The Black Keys – May 28
- Train – June 13
- Backstreet Boys – July 19
- Breaking Benjamin – July 30
- Encanto: The Sing Along Film Concert – August 5
PNC Pavilion has these events coming up in 2023:
- The Lumineers – June 16
- Backstreet Boys – June 21
- Nickelback – July 13
- Pitbull – August 12
- Encanto: The Sing Along Film Concert – August 15
- Wiz Khalifa – September 17
Venue Size & Capacity
Riverbend Music Center has a total capacity of 20,500 guests. The pavilion section has 7,100 reserved seats under roof. The expansive lawn can fit about 13,400 guests with chairs and blankets. There is also a general admission standing room pit closer to the stage.
PNC Pavilion can accommodate 19,500 guests total. The covered pavilion has around 6,500 seats. The open lawn area has space for 13,000 more people. Standing room capacity is around 3,000 guests.
Food & Drinks
Riverbend Music Center has concession stands throughout the venue selling:
- Burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fries, nachos
- Soft pretzels, popcorn, candy, nuts
- Coca-cola fountain drinks and bottled beverages
- Wine, beer, hard seltzer, and mixed drinks
- Funnel cakes, ice cream, churros, and other sweets
Food and drink options at PNC Pavilion include:
- Pizza, burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fries
- Nachos, soft pretzels, popcorn, peanuts
- Bottled water, soda, sports drinks
- Beer, hard seltzer, wine, cocktails, and margaritas
- Cotton candy, ice cream, churros, cookies
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited inside the seating areas of Riverbend Music Center. Designated smoking areas are set up outside the venue gates. Vaping and e-cigarette use is also not allowed except in the smoking zones.
PNC Pavilion is a non-smoking facility. Smoking areas are available outside the entry gates. Guests must go out to the designated zones for vaping, cigarettes, cigars, etc. during events.
Accessibility
Riverbend Music Center provides accessibility services for guests with disabilities. This includes:
- Designated accessible parking spaces
- Wheelchair and scooter accessible seating
- Accessible restrooms and shuttles
- ASL interpreters by request
- Allowance of service animals
PNC Pavilion also has accessible accommodations such as:
- Accessible parking and drop-off areas
- Wheelchair seating spaces with companion seats
- Accessible elevators, ramps, doors, and restrooms
- Sign language interpreting
- Allowance of service dogs inside
SECURITY (This could also go under amenities)
Riverbend Music Center has the following security procedures and policies:
- Bag checks at entry gates
- Prohibited items: weapons, pepper spray, lasers, etc.
- Re-entry allowed but bags re-checked upon return
- Undercover and uniformed police/security presence
- Cameras surveillance throughout venue
PNC Pavilion security includes:
- Mandatory bag inspections at gates
- Pat-downs and metal detectors in use
- No re-entry permitted
- Undercover and uniformed police/guards
- Use of security cameras inside and outside
Children & Age Policy
Riverbend Music Center permits children of all ages to attend shows with a ticket. Children under 2 can sit on a parent’s lap without needing a ticket unless otherwise noted.
PNC Pavilion typically allows all ages with a ticket. Some concerts are 18+ events though. All children regardless of age must have their own ticket to enter.
Conclusion
In summary, Riverbend Music Center and PNC Pavilion have some similarities as outdoor amphitheater venues in the Midwest and Southeast regions. Both have capacities around 20,000 with reserved seating and lawn areas. They attract major touring acts and offer typical amenities like food/drinks, accessible seating, and parking.
However, there are some differences as well in terms of location, layout, transportation options, and more. PNC Pavilion went through a renovation in the 1990s to become a more modern facility. Riverbend Music Center has a connection to the Coney Island amusement park. When choosing between the two for a concert, guests may want to consider the performer, seat options, and their budget to pick the better venue.