FAYETTEVILLE — At the same time the Walton Arts Center is formally announcing its purchase of the Arkansas Music Pavilion, the arts organization is also announcing four of the concerts that will take place at the AMP this spring.
“The purchase of the AMP allows us to make entertainment more accessible to people in Northwest Arkansas. We look forward to working with Brian Crowne and the crew at the AMP to bring a great series of concerts and events to our region,” says Walton Arts Center CEO and president Peter Lane in a statement about the purchase. Crowne was the AMP’s previous owner and will be retained in a management role.
The season will begin with a performance by electronica producer Derek Vincent Smith, also known as Pretty Lights.
Other shows that are scheduled for the venue, which is on the blacktop outside the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville, are Lucinda Williams onMay 1, The Band Perry on May 26 and Primus on May 27.
Williams is a folk/country songwriter and singer who has earned several Grammy Awards during her 30-plusyear career. She has local ties, as well. Her father, poet Miller Williams, taught at the University of Arkansas.
The Band Perry consists of three siblings, all with the last name Perry. The group’s pop-friendly country music has found a growing number of fans, and their hit “If I DieYoung” reached gold sales status.
Rounding out the early announcements is a show by the band Primus, which features the avant-garde stylings of bassist and vocalist Les Claypool. The group has recorded albums with titles such as “Sailing the Seas of Cheese” and “Pork Soda” and created the original theme for “South Park.” More shows for the AMP’s upcoming season are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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FAQ
ARKANSAS MUSIC PAVILION 2011 CONCERTS
April 22 - Pretty Lights
May 1 - Lucinda Williams
May 26 - The Band Perry
May 27 - Primus
◊Tickets for the Pretty Lights show ($27) go on sale today at 9 a.m. by calling 443-5600. Other tickets will go on sale soon.
Whats Up, Pages 14 on 02/18/2011