Gorge Continues To Bring The Biggest Concerts To A Beautiful Setting

The Gorge Amphitheater, lying in the bluffs that overlook the Columbia River, provides the most stunning view of any concert venue in the region.

The scenic surroundings, consistently optimal weather conditions and strong concert lineups are what attract hundreds of thousands of Northwesterners every year.

And the venue’s two-hour-plus drive from Spokane and Coeur d’Alene has yet to prove a deterrent.

After producing an artistically and financially prosperous season last year, MCA Concerts Northwest, which owns and promotes the 18,000-seat amphitheater, promises yet another ambitious concert season.

In an effort to make the venue more accommodating for ticket-holders, MCA has made a multitude of improvements in recent years.

“The Gorge itself, not only financially but cosmetically, really took a step up,” says MCA promoter Creighton Burke. “There’s a lot of stuff that we continue to do on the front end that cleans it up.”

To cut down on the dust, the quarter-mile strip of road inside the entrance to the main parking lot was recently paved.

The steep gravel path leading from the plaza to the base of the amphitheater also has been paved. Before, it was easy to lose your footing on this path.

Also, cedar fencing was erected to camouflage the portable toilets.

Further, both the concession area and the second stage in the plaza have been upgraded and improved.

Most importantly, an entirely new stage was constructed. This one is much bigger and taller.

“It can handle much bigger productions,” says Burke. “The Van Halen tour last year sort of stretched us.”

The bulk of the Gorge’s season has already been announced, and Burke is pleased with the way it’s shaping up. “There is some real exciting stuff for me.”

Some of the heavyweights slated to play this year include alterna-queen Alanis Morissette, Portland power-trio Everclear, heavy metal monsters White Zombie and Pantera and alternative favorites Cranberries and Cracker.

Three festivals will visit the amphitheater this summer, including The Columbia Riverfest, a day-long country music extravaganza, and the Furthur Festival, featuring a fistful of Grateful Dead side-projects like Rat Dog as well as Los Lobos and Bruce Hornsby.

As always, a horde of top-flight rock veterans will also play the venue, including heavy metal kings Scorpions and Alice Cooper, folk-rock legends Crosby, Stills and Nash, Sting, classic rocker Steely Dan and folk great James Taylor.

Many dates are still open. As the season progresses, concert announcements will continue to pour in. With most of June open, expect some shows to pop up soon.

One of the tours that’s on the minds of a lot of young concert-goers is Lollapalooza. Currently, the traveling summer rock festival - starring Metallica, Soundgarden and the Ramones - is still looking for a venue in Washington state. And rest assured, organizers have almost nailed down a location.

Other mega-tours roaming the country this summer are Rage Against the Machine, Hootie and the Blowfish and Smashing Pumpkins. Though no dates have been booked, don’t be surprised if each shows up at the Gorge this summer.

Those anxious to score tickets for the much-anticipated KISS reunion tour will have to look past The Gorge. According to Burke, the godfather of arena rock is sticking to arenas. It’s a possibility the Motor City foursome will stop at the Spokane Arena.

Remember, all Gorge tickets must be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets (DJ’s Sound City locations in Spokane). To buy tickets with a credit card, call (509) 735-0500, (509) 453-7139 or (206) 628-0888. All ticket prices are subject to convenience fees.

Here’s what’s happening so far:

Alanis Morissette, Saturday, June 1, 7 p.m., sold out.

Everclear, Tracy Bonham, 7 Year Bitch and Spacehog, Friday, June 28, 7:30 p.m., $29.50.

The Scorpions and Alice Cooper, Saturday, July 6, 7 p.m., $42.65, $32.05, $26.80.

Crosby, Stills and Nash and Chicago, Saturday, July 13, 7 p.m., $44.65, $39.40, $31.

Columbia Riverfest with Vince Gill, Colin Ray, Patty Loveless, Doug Supernaw and Prairie Oyster, Sunday, July 21, 1 p.m., $39.40, $31.50, $26.25.

Furthur Festival with Rat Dog, Hot Tuna, Los Lobos and Bruce Hornsby, Friday, July 26, $41.20, $30.75. Tickets on sale June 8.

Pantera and White Zombie (co-headlining) and Eyehategod, Saturday, July 27, $29.95. Tickets on sale Saturday.

House of Blues Tour with Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Radiators, Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m., $52.50, $42, $31.50.

The Cranberries and Cracker, Friday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m., $37.35, $30.25.

Sting, Saturday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m., $49.10, $38.60, $33.35.

Steely Dan, Friday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m., $51.75, $33.75.

Can’t Stop Rockin’ Tour, featuring Foreigner, REO Speedwagon and Peter Frampton, Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m., $42.75, $28.35.

Steve Miller and Pat Benatar, Saturday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m., $43.60, $33.10, $28.35.

James Taylor, Saturday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m., $49.10, $35.45, $30.25.

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