The 2024 Pine Knob Summer Concert season is here and it promises to be a great one. On May 2nd the season opened with Sasanta, featuring A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Primus and it continues this Wednesday, May 22nd with Neil Young and Crazy Horse. 313 Presents and Pine Knob Music Theatre held a media day this past Friday May 17th to showcase the newly rebranded “The Fed” (formerly Copper Craft Club) as well as unveil new food and beverage items and the winner of the second annual College for Creative Studies poster contest. With 47 shows planned for Pine Knob Music Theatre at the time of this writing, and 110 shows across all six of 313’s venues, it’s shaping up to be a great concert season.
Howard Handler, president of 313 Presents spoke to the gathered media about new initiatives such as SMS text so subscribers can stay connected and gain access to exclusive presales, concert announcements, ticket offers, premium upgrades, sweepstakes and more. There is also a new perk being offered by way of Premier Parking at all three of 313’s summer amphitheaters. For a small added fee, concert-goers have access to closer parking and faster exit times. There will also be an option for purchasing an express lane pass to avoid the long lines.
The Hello Pine Knob podcast returns for a third season hosted by award-winning music journalist and author Gary Graff. Entering its 52nd year with over 3100 events in its storied history, Pine Knob remains America’s top outdoor amphitheater. Gary interviews musicians and the people behind the scenes and talks about the history of the venue as well as the legendary acts that have graced its stage. The podcast can be listened to on the free Audacy app.
Also new for 2024, KultureCity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those with sensory needs, will be providing sensory bags free to borrow at guest services. These bags will include items such as noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys and a feeling thermometer as well as a lanyard to help identify guests who have checked out a bag. Those guests that may find this helpful include people with autism, PTSD, Parkinsons, OCD, ADHD, early-onset dementia, anxiety, stroke patients, etc.
Local Clarkston eatery The Fed is the new tenant in the space formerly known as Copper Craft Club. Owners Sarah and James Schneider have decorated the space to reflect the vibe of their restaurant in Clarkston and bring a variety of new menu items for Pine Knob concertgoers. The menu which is homemade, fresh and thoughtfully sourced, promises to give guests even more tasty food options in a warm inviting space. The space itself has a bright new paint job and added lighting around the perimeter, in the trees, and new hanging light fixtures to make for an enjoyable experience.
Another change for this year is a new private entrance for Season Members at Trinity Health Ivy Lounge. This is a way to thank Season Members and improve their show experience.
College for Creative Studies student Kat Sutherland was the winner of this year’s poster contest among many student entries in the CCS Illustration class taught by Professor Don Kilpatrick. The winning poster will be handed out at select events throughout the season as a keepsake, including the June 6th sold-out Hootie and the Blowfish show. The poster features an illustration of a concert crowd on a pine-crested hillside with a large warm sun in the background and the entire list of shows for the 2024 season. 313 president Howard Handler told the assembled media, “313 Presents worked with students in the fall semester of 2023 to provide students with real-world experience with an actual client, 313 Presents, to create a professional look and feel for their creation which was to represent Pine Knob’s beloved summertime tradition and serve as our official limited edition 2024 commemorative poster. This is our 52nd season and this poster will stand in the hall of all the different great designs that have existed through many years.”
Howard further added, “We worked with students that presented the top three designs. They’ll all receive a small scholarship award from 313 Presents.”
The Pine Knob Summer Concert Season continues this Wednesday May 22nd with Neil Young and Crazy Horse and finishes Saturday September 28th with RIFF FEST presented by 101.1 WRIF.
For more information visit 313presents.com
All photos by Dan Boshart
