Tacoma Dome was closed for four months in 2018 for renovations but reported strong results. (Courtesy Tacoma Dome)
The Pacific Northwest live event industry keeps growing in size and shape. It's a region where fans will drive hours to see their favorite artist, often through the kind of weather that would prompt live-event goers from other regions to stay home.
Pacific Northwest venues had many triumphs in 2018: Spokane (Wash.) Arena renovated its performing arts center and got funding for a new sports complex. Abbotsford Centre sold 20,000-plus more tickets. Tacoma Dome got its first makeover in 35 years. Portland’s Roseland Theater and McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater reported more tickets sold and more shows.
That said, the venue grosses on our Top Stops charts from the region were actually down 16 percent from the previous year, going from roughly $197 million to about $165 million. Part of the downturn can be explained by Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C., reporting 20 fewer bookings in 2018. Also, Seattle’s KeyArena closed in October for a massive overhaul to accommodate an NHL expansion team. The arena will reopen in 2021.
Other challenges included a severe labor shortage, the region’s notorious weather and, in one high-profile case, development. Reports in the summer indicated Seattle music club the Showbox would be replaced by an apartment tower, but the news was met with resistance and the issue is now in court.
The venue operators VenuesNow spoke with, however thought 2018 was a good year for live entertainment. They expressed high hopes for 2019, with big names headed out of the road like Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran and Elton John; a good economy; and venue makeovers wowing the fans.
MORE FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST:
The Circuit: What venue managers are saying.
PNW Q & A: Jeff Trisler, Live Nation Northwest president.
Scene: Portland: Robyn Williams gives a tour of Rose City.
