Go behind the scenes at new Macon amphitheater that brings big-name artists, crowds

The Atrium Health Amphitheater has already hosted several big-name music stars in its first few months of operation, and the high-profile new venue in Macon has a backstage scene that fits Middle Georgia well.

City leaders and residents gathered Friday morning to formally dedicate the new performance space with a plaque near the west gate, but officials at the amphitheater also gave people a look behind the scenes at the new facility.

Officials highlighted backstage dressing rooms and suites at the amphitheater to show the accommodations for performing acts and what high-value ticket gets patrons. The areas are stylized with photos and memorabilia from some of central Georgia’s most iconic natives, like music star Otis Redding and former President Jimmy Carter.

Macon Mayor Lester Miller said he hopes the amphitheater, which is located next to the Macon Mall and held its first concert in March, will bring new energy to the city.

“This project lets people know that we care about this particular area in our community, and it provides hope and opportunities both through investment and also for attracting people who come to this part of the community for development,” Miller said.

Macon amphitheater was years in the making

Alex Morrison, the director of planning and public spaces for Macon-Bibb County and executive director of the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, said the completion of the amphitheater was the product of years of work.

The idea for the amphitheater first gained traction in 2021 when Hull Property Group donated about two-thirds of the mall and its land to the Urban Development Authority. While the land was free to the county, Hull Property Group will get federal tax write-offs from the donation.

Macon leaders wanted to revitalize the area, which has struggled since the Macon Mall entered foreclosure in 2008, and started designing the amphitheater in March 2022.

“What used to happen in this corridor was thousands upon thousands of people came here to shop, to work, to eat, and as the stores dwindled and the population declined here, the people were no longer here,” Morrison said. “What we as the government needed to do is create opportunities for people to come back into the space and spark the business opportunities for this corridor, and restore equity into the community so there is a market opportunity for housing as well as other businesses to pop up.”

The total cost of creating the amphitheater was about $60 million, which came largely from bonds. It features covered, fixed and lawn seating for more than 10,000 people, as well as retail and concession spaces and areas for vendors and events.

It serves as the anchor of the growing complex the city is working on at the Macon Mall, which also includes Rhythm & Rally Sports and Events Center, a 32-court indoor pickleball complex that opened in January.

What does the amphitheater bring to Macon?

Despite only being a few months old, Atrium Health Amphitheater has already seen a host of artists, with ZZ Top, Lynryd Skynyrd and Black Stone Cherry performing at its opening concert in March. Upcoming artists include Megadeath, Keyshia Cole and Macon-born country star Jason Aldean.

While dedicating the amphitheater’s plaque, Miller set his sights on restoring other arts venues around the city. He specifically mentioned the Macon Coliseum and the Macon City Auditorium as potential venues for improvement.

“People connect to arts and music in a lot of ways, it brings people together,” Miller said. “It’s a sense of being in a community. People across all demographics can come together to be one, and we’ve seen that at (the amphitheater’s) shows.”

Miller also said he hopes the space will generate more revenue for Macon-Bibb County through OLOST. OLOST, which stands for Other Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, places a 1% tax on items purchased in the county. The tax includes items sold inside the amphitheater, which Miller said helps lower taxes and living costs for residents by collecting revenue from visitors.

During the dedication, city leaders also expressed pride for the events the amphitheater has already hosted, and the potential life it could bring to the area.

“There’s no doubt this amphitheater is already making history,” Miller said. “It’s unlike no other. As I traveled around the southeast United States and looked at amphitheaters the last couple years, this here is the Mecca for amphitheaters.”