Macon’s Atrium Health Amphitheater approaches one-year anniversary

Aiello says the Amphitheater has put Macon back on the map from a regional stand point. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Atrium Health Amphitheater is approaching its one-year anniversary of entertaining Macon and drawing visitors from across the country.

Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top played the venue’s first show on March 25, 2024.

David Aiello, general manager of the Macon Coliseum and Macon City Auditorium, spoke with 41NBC about the Amphitheater’s success in its first year.

“Year one was a great year for us,” he said. “We did 22 events. We had over 100,000 people. The spending that’s associated with that within the community is over $20 million. So, the plan is working. So far, looking at year two, I think we’ve had some pretty good announcements with a lot more coming up, and I think a lot of that correlates with the success from year one.”

Aiello says the Amphitheater has put Macon back on the map from a regional standpoint.

“We’ve had calls from Raleigh to Birmingham to Wilmington, North Carolina, all saying, ‘Hey, we hear you have this Amphitheater. We’d love to come take a look at it and see what you guys have going on so we can replicate what you’re doing here,” he said.

He also believes the venue will continue attracting more visitors from out of state.

“Last year, we had two sold-out shows,” he said. “This year, with the shows we’ve put on sale, it’s on track to do that, if not more. So, the feedback has been good. Everybody that comes here says, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is in Macon’—and it’s true, it’s here.”

Marisa Rodgers, director of marketing for Visit Macon, says the Amphitheater has had a significant impact on the local economy.

“On average, every show has brought in $1 million of economic impact,” she said. “That’s people coming in from out of town or locals going to the facility, enjoying the shows—whether sold out or not—and spending money in our community as well.”

Rodgers says the Amphitheater has received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“I think everybody in Macon is just thrilled to be able to stay here to see shows instead of traveling outside of our area,” she said. “So, the fact that we have the capacity to hold the acts we’re getting now is just exciting for the rest of us as well.”

Rodgers also says the venue will bring in more artists this year, including Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr.

To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.