The hustle and bustle of Lansdowne Street just got even louder.
After years of meticulous planning and construction, MGM Music Hall at Fenway opened its doors last night (August 22) for a private grand opening reception. The “state-of-the-art, multi-purpose live performance venue” is a joint venture between Fenway Sports Management and Live Nation that boasts a capacity of over 5,000 people. Located at 2 Lansdowne St., the music hall joins an already-bustling area that’s home to the House of Blues, Fenway Park’s summer stage, and myriad other watering holes with live music, such as Loretta’s Last Call, Bill’s Bar, and the Lansdowne Pub. In fact, guests can survey the entire neon-drenched scene from the new venue’s roomy “Truly Rooftop” bar and deck area.
Music industry professionals spent the evening sipping cocktails from mini disco ball cups, picking up freshly screen-printed commemorative shirts and posters, and exploring the music hall’s labyrinthine 91,500 square foot layout. The complete map consists of four levels, a “MassMutual Lounge,” four coat checks, and no fewer than eight bars. The plush red seating in particular impressed patrons; even from the back of the balcony, no seat is more than 110 feet away from the stage. While the mezzanine and upper floors feature permanent seating, the first floor’s removable seats can be cleared from the dancefloor to create a general admission area. Private box seating with concierge service elevates the experience for guests looking for extra elbow room.
Boston alt-rock veterans Guster were on site to christen the massive 80-feet-by-40-feet stage, which will soon host acts like Godsmack (August 27), James Taylor & His All-Star Band (August 29 and 30), and Bruno Mars (September 7, 9, and 11). As a nod to the venue’s close proximity to music schools like the Boston Arts Academy and Berklee College of Music, MGM tapped BAAcapalla and Berklee student SBM to open and close the evening’s entertainment.
While the music hall will “primarily books national touring acts,” Boston bands can reach out to Crossroads Presents for all booking inquiries. “For headlining the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, the act should have played the Boston market and developed a following large enough to have sold out venues like the House of Blues, Paradise Rock Club, Brighton Music Hall, Middle East Downstairs, etc,” explains the Crossroads Presents website.
MGM Music Hall at Fenway is the second addition to Boston’s venue scene this year, following the opening of Roadrunner, The Bowery Presents’ 3,500 capacity endeavor in Allston-Brighton.
Take a look around below.
