Explosion Forces Postponement of Y-Live Concert with Tim McGraw

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The annual Y-Live concert at Wean Park, which was to feature country superstar Tim McGraw, will not take place this year because of the street closings caused by the explosion at the Realty Tower downtown.

JAC Live, the Youngstown-based concert promoter that stages Y-Live, announced Wednesday that the concert is being postponed until Sept. 27, 2025.

It had been scheduled for Aug. 2.

In a press release, JAC cites “the recent tragic event downtown and subsequent logistical issues” as the reason for the postponement.

The explosion has left Central Square and a block of Champion Street and East Federal Street closed to traffic. Demolition of the Realty Tower is expected to begin soon.

The limited flow of traffic would sharply hinder access to the concert, which typically draws about 20,000 spectators.

“The massive footprint needed to produce Y-Live leaves little parking and accessibility on site,” JAC pointed out.

The annual concert has been a landmark event in the Mahoning Valley since 2017, hosting acts such as Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Kid Rock, among others.

“Y-Live has always been about showcasing all the amenities our downtown has to offer,” said Eric Ryan, CEO of JAC Live. “Striving for the absolute best experience for the fans, downtown businesses and artists alike has always been at the forefront of our mission. We have decided that postponing this event until next year is the best scenario for all involved.”

Ken Bigley, chief operating officer of JAC Live, said the concert makes a substantial impact on downtown businesses because of the number of visitors it draws.

“Given the situation and circumstances downtown is currently facing and the impact Y-Live has on the overall infrastructure of the city, the postponement was unavoidable,” Bigley said. “We are thankful to Tim McGraw and his team for the flexibility on the date change.”

Those who have already purchased tickets have the option to hold on to them for the rescheduled concert or return them to the point of purchase for a refund within the next 30 days.

The McGraw concert is the second major downtown event to be put on hold for a year because of the explosion. Last month, the organizers of the greater Youngstown Italian Festival announced that the event would not take place this summer.

Pictured at top: Country superstar Tim McGraw. (Photo by Robby Klein)

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.