• Artificial turf can improve any outdoor venue including concerts.
Home > Blog > 2016 > October

Artificial Turf Improves Outdoor Concerts

October 6, 2016

There are few things better than SF Bay Area residents than spending the day at the Shoreline Amphitheatre listening to music. We’re lucky to be able to hear some of the best music around in this park-like arena. Seats can get pretty costly, though, forcing many to buy lawn seats. This isn’t always the best way to enjoy a show. In rainy weather, the grass can get muddy. Artificial turf would make for a much better surface. Unlike real grass, artificial turf requires little care, is cost-effective, and stays dry and mud-free. Local turf experts Watersavers Turf could suggest a variety of options to save money for the venue and attract more patrons. Artificial turf costs much less to maintain than real grass. It also uses less water, making it a better choice for the planet.

Synthetic Turf Adds Value to Venues 

Lawn seats have long been a great way for music venues to sell more tickets. The truth is that not many people like this option. If there has been recent rain, the lawn may be messy. On top of that, lawns can be bumpy and rocky. Sitting on them doesn’t feel good. Synthetic turf, though, can be landscaped to offer an even surface. It holds up well to poor weather, too. As a result, fans can spend more time enjoying the show. After the concert, they will be more likely to recommend the venue to their friends. In this way, a synthetic turf lawn adds value to an arena. Instead of fans seeing lawn seats as a reason to skip a show, they’ll look forward to the comfort of synthetic turf. It’s simply a great way to make the Shoreline Amphitheatre an even better place for everyone involved.

A Little History

The Shoreline Amphitheatre was built in the mid-1980s. Before that, the property had been a landfill. The city of Mountain View worked with legendary rock promoter Bill Graham to create it. The venue first opened its doors in the summer of 1986. Graham, a friend of the Grateful Dead, planned on the band being the first performers. Sadly, Jerry Garcia’s coma forced them to cancel. Still, Graham modeled the arena’s look after their Steal Your Face album cover.

Things to Bring for Lawn Seating

­For those attending a concert at Shoreline with lawn seating, there are some items you should plan on packing:

  • Sunscreen
  • Low-back beach chairs
  • Bug spray
  • Blankets to sit on
  • A warm jacket

You might also want to bring along an umbrella. Regardless of the weather, concerts are held rain or shine.  Of course, this means that the grass can get wet and muddy. With that in mind, you’ll want to bring along something waterproof to sit on if you don’t have a chair.

These types of venues do get improvements every few years, though. Hopefully, when that happens, more of them will take a cue from Riverbend Music Center.

Riverbend Music Center

In a move that many will likely follow, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and The Motz Group along with Sportsworks Field Design converted all 2.75 acres of their concert arena to faux grass. It took five years of planning to complete. That said, it paid off well in the long run. Now all portions of the arena can be used throughout the year.

Some of the benefits they’ve enjoyed include the following:

  • Reduced carbon footprint: No need for chemicals to maintain real grass. Gas-powered tools aren’t needed either. Turf is recyclable.
  • Saving money: Annually, 600,000 gallons of water was needed for their real grass and irrigation. About $90K was spent to replace the sod. These funds can now be used elsewhere.
  • Extended Brand: The arena plans to market the system to other outdoor concert venues around the world.
  • More Sales: Lawn ticket sales are projected to increase 10%.

Replacing real grass with a fake grass allows people to enjoy the show even after or during a rainstorm. This isn’t just good for the fans. The owners of these venues can make more money by holding more events and selling more tickets.

“People are finally going to be able to enjoy a sold-out show on the lawn, without worrying about it turning to mud if it rains,” said Mike Smith, Riverbend’s longtime general manager and a vice president with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the venue’s owner.

Here in the SF Bay Area Watersavers Turf provides customers with the best fake grass products.  We can advise you on the best product for your needs, and we have everything you need to install it. To learn more, please feel free to stop by one of our SF Bay Area locations, or give us a call at 844-974-8873.

Leave a Comment

We will not publish your email. Required fields are marked below.

(Required)