Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park

The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park is a contemporary amphitheatre located in the northern Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta. The amphitheatre mainly holds concerts by popular acts and themed symphony concerts by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

It opened on May 10, 2008 with a performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra followed by the Eagles who extended their stay at the venue to a four night stand due to demand. It hosted many musical acts during its inaugural season including Stevie Nicks, Foreigner, moe., The Black Crowes and Rush, as well as a double headliner between Steve Miller and Joe Cocker. Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Petty, John Mayer and comedian Jeff Foxworthy also performed during the opening season. Yes was originally scheduled to play at the amphitheater in the opening 2008 season as part of a planned 40th anniversary tour but it was canceled due to former lead singer Jon Anderson’s illness at the time.

In April 2009 the Dave Matthews Band played back-to-back shows here to open the season. June 2009 marked two different double headlined concerts, starting with Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire, followed by Sytx and REO Speedwagon with special guests 38 Special. Other 2009 season performances include Stevie Wonder, Kenny Chesney, Incubus, Judas Priest and Big & Rich. The Bob Dylan Show with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson marked another triple bill. Various Atlanta Symphony Orchestra specialty concerts at Verizon where scheduled in between these mainstream acts. September brought Journey and their Revelation Tour to the amphitheater to close the 2009 season.

The 2010 season carried on in the same vain as the previous 2009 season swapping between major musical acts and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra specialty shows. Performances included Alan Jackson, Van Morrison, Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Scorpions. Double and multi-billed concerts were once again featured with the likes of Steve Miller and Peter Frampton, Corey Smith with Colt Ford & Will Hoge, Sugarland with Little Big Town & Danny Gokey and Green Day with AFI. The 2010 season featured two night runs from certain bands, the first being Phish on the 4th of July weekend. The rest of the season included performances by Sheryl Crow, The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue featuring Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, Maroon 5, Rush and another two night stand for Widespread Panic. The 2010 season closed out on October 3 with a Project 9-6-1 Family Reunion 2010 concert featuring Needeep, Taddy Porter, Sevendust, Bullet For My Valentine, Buckcherry and Shinedown.

The 2011 season carried on with a variety of concerts and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra specialty shows. Highlights included Project 9-6-1 Cinco Party concert with Avenged Sevenfold with Seether & Alterbridge as well as two night stands by Zac Brown Band and Phish. Also featured on the 2011 schedule were Miranda Lambert with Josh Kelley & Ashton Shepherd and Styx & Yes with Shane Alexander. Other performances included Furthur featuring Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Dolly Parton, a Star 94 Atlanta StarFest concert featuring Goo Goo Dolls with Michelle Branch & Parachute, Death Cab For Cutie with Frightened Rabbit, Animal Collective with Atlas Sound, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, My Morning Jacket with Neko Case, Train & Maroon 5 with Matt Nathanson, Roger Daltrey (solo) performing The Who’s Tommy, Incubus with a special guest, Blondie and Widespread Panic. The 2011 season closed out with a two night stand featuring Pretty Lights & Bassnectar with Big Gigantic, Beats Antique, Bonobo & SuperDre.

On June 3, 2012, Jackie Evancho, accompanied by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, performed her Dream With Me concert to open the season at the amphitheatre.