Cheap Trick to Open Tampa Bay’s Newest Amphitheater

Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick and Peter Frampton are among the first performers at The Sound in Clearwater.
The Sound is Tampa Bay’s newest waterfront concert venue.
The Sound includes 4,000 covered seats plus an additional 5,000 lawn seats. Ruth Eckerd Hall photo

The grand opening of Coachman Park and the new concert venue The Sound will be celebrated with a weeklong calendar of events, the City of Clearwater has announced. Ruth Eckerd Hall, which operates The Sound, has announced four concerts for the new outdoor amphitheater that sits along the waterside of downtown Clearwater:

  • Cheap Trick on Wednesday, June 28;
  • Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw on Friday, June 30;
  • Dave Koz Summer Horns Tour with Special Guests Candy Dulfer & Eric Darius on Saturday, July 1;
  • Peter Frampton on Sunday, July 2.

In addition, there will be three free community concerts at The Sound, culminating with a patriotic celebration with The Florida Orchestra on Independence Day including fireworks over Clearwater Harbor.

The Sound is Tampa Bay’s newest waterfront concert venue. The facility will be operated by Ruth Eckerd Hall in partnership with the City of Clearwater and will accommodate a year-round performance schedule. The Sound includes 4,000 covered seats plus an additional 5,000 lawn seats. The venue is nestled in a reimagined 19-acre park.

“This will be an iconic venue offering a one-of-a-kind experience in Tampa Bay,” Susan M. Crockett, Ruth Eckerd Hall President & CEO, said in a statement. “The Sound will host great entertainment in front of Clearwater’s breathtaking sunset and is sure to be an artist favorite.”

Daily recurring events for the grand opening celebration will include health and fitness classes, food and beverage experiences, exhibitors, children’s games, as well as activities and park amenities such as a splash pad, large playground, walking trails and more.

Here’s the full schedule:

Wednesday, June 28: A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park will occur at 5 pm. Following will be the highly anticipated first concert at The Sound. The night concludes with a free concert by Rock Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick. Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance for this free event. Advance reservation ensures entry. General admission. Seating is limited – bring a blanket.

Thursday, June 29: Thursday’s theme of Clearwater Celebrates Diversity & Culture is all about celebrating the rich diversity that exists within Clearwater, with a focus on promoting inclusivity and understanding across all communities. There will be a multicultural market and crafters, as well as dance troupes and musicians showcasing their talents. Children’s activities will include inflatables, face painters and other family-friendly activities.

The day will end with a FREE community concert at The Sound featuring Tampa Bay’s favorite local group, The Black Honkey’s Band.

For the free concerts on June 28 and June 29, general admission will be on a first-come, first served basis. Chairs are limited; bring a blanket for the lawn.

Friday, June 30: Kicking off the weekend, Friday’s theme will be Clearwater Celebrates Music. There will be a craft beer garden, a variety of children’s activities and buskers and street entertainment to add to the festive atmosphere. Local musicians will perform on The Green in the park throughout the day, and visitors can sample a variety of delicious foods from the food truck experience.

The day will close out with a concert at The Sound, featuring Grammy-winner Colbie Caillat and Grammy-nominee Gavin DeGraw, starting at 7 pm.

Saturday, July 1: Clearwater Celebrates Community will begin with a 5K running event. Following the race, participants can enjoy the craft beer garden, performances on The Green, a farmers market and events honoring Clearwater’s neighborhoods.

There will be a concert at The Sound, featuring Grammy-nominee Dave Koz Summer Horns Tour with Special Guests Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius at 7 pm.

Sunday, July 2: Clearwater Celebrates Hispanic Culture is a day dedicated to celebrating the large Hispanic community that makes up the fabric of Clearwater. The day will feature dance classes with professional instructors, musical performances on The Green, such as Rumbero’s De Tampa, DJs and delicious Hispanic cuisine from numerous food trucks.

The day will end with a concert at The Sound featuring Grammy-winner Peter Frampton at 7 pm. Frampton returns to Clearwater for the first time in seven years on his Never Say Never Tour.

Monday, July 3: Clearwater Celebrates Wellness will be a day highlighting the passive recreation areas of Coachman Park and promoting healthy and active living. Participants can join a community volunteer cleanup or host their local meet-up group outings at the park. To prepare for the Independence Day Celebration, there are no large events or concerts planned for July 3.

Tuesday, July 4: Clearwater Celebrates America will start the holiday with a classic car show featuring vintage cars and trucks, as well as shop local at the farmers market, enjoy the sounds of buskers and street entertainers and let the kids burn off energy with family-friendly games and entertainment. The night ends with a fireworks celebration.

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