Uncertain future for Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

Rock out at Oak Mountain Amphitheater this year. (Bham Now)
Rock out at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre this year. (Bham Now)

Thanks to a couple of social media posts on Monday, the future of Oak Mountain Amphitheatre remains uncertain.

Birmingham music lovers experienced an emotional roller coaster earlier this week when Live Nation, the owner of the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, posted to Facebook.

On the morning of Monday, Sept. 16, a Facebook post stated the news that the upcoming Post Malone concert would be the “last show here at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre” with a heart emoji.

But that post has since been edited. While there are still doubts about the venue’s future, no closure has been confirmed at this time.

Live Nation edits post

Screenshot 2024 09 16 at 3.12.19 PM Uncertain future for Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
A screenshot showing the edits on the amphitheatre’s Facebook page. (The Bama Buzz)

While news was spreading like wildfire throughout the day about the Pelham amphitheatre’s closure, later in the afternoon, Live Nation edited their original post saying the Post Malone concert will be the last concert for the 2024 season.

The edit leaves the door open for future concerts and events.

Bham Now did reach out to Live Nation about the status of the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. They responded to us Monday evening saying the new edited post focuses solely on the 2024 season.

“On background, socials were meant to note that Post Malone is the last show of the 2024 season, and our social posts have been updated to reflect that. We apologize for the confusion this morning!”

~ LiveNation

They did not comment on the venue’s future.

Historic venue in Shelby County

Oak Mountain Amphitheatre has a long been major stop for some of rock and country’s greatest musicians. In fact, the location was used in 2002 for the recording of John Mayer’s hit live album “Any Given Thursday.”

Before the amphitheatre’s post was edited, several news outlets and Birmingham Mountain Radio DJ Scott Register reported on the nearly 40-year-old venue’s demise. 

Register even posted a heartfelt memory about the place.

“Thanks for all of the memories, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre! The original amphitheater with the lawn (before it was removed) will arguable be one of the best venues of all time. It was a magical place at a magical time.”

Other popular musicians who played at the historic venue include:

  • Coldplay
  • Alabama
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Phish
  • KISS

New Birmingham Amphitheatre coming in 2025

The reason for the uncertainty surrounding Oak Mountain Amphitheatre’s future is the construction of the new $46 million Live Nation outdoor amphitheatre in downtown Birmingham next to Protective Stadium. The new venue is expected to open in the Summer of 2025.

What’s next for the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre? Should Live Nation run two venues in the metro area? Are there other options on the table?

Stay tuned.

Do you have a favorite Oak Mountain Amphitheatre memory? Tell us on social media by tagging us at @bhamnow!

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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