With multiple outdoor events on the schedule, this weekend marks the start of the summer entertainment season.

It also marks the opening of the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, with three concerts over four days starting with tonight’s soldout show by country artist Riley Green.

Lita Ford and The Vindys will play The Amp on Saturday, and Coheed & Cambria and Mastodon on Sunday.

Some changes aimed at improving the fan experience at The Amp will take effect this weekend. They involve the twin concert staples of buying a band T-shirt and drinking some cold ones.

For starters, an additional merchandise sales area will be set up in the plaza outside The Amp starting at 4 p.m. for both the Riley Green and Coheed-Mastodon shows. This will shorten the lines at the merch stand inside the venue and make it easier for fans to get what they want before the concerts start.

The outdoor merch area will be set up for most concerts this season, but not all of them, according to Jordan Ryan, vice president of JAC Management, which operates The Amp.

“We will have it for the bigger shows, the big merch sellers, because the sales area inside is rather small,” he said. The inside merch area will also be available before, during and after all concerts.

Because the plaza merch stand will be open hours before the show, fans can buy a T-shirt, hat, hoodie or other souvenir and take it back to their car so they don’t have to hold it all night.

Enjoying an adult beverage will also be easier this year.

The city’s designated outdoor refreshment area (Dora) was approved last year and will get its first big tryout at tonight’s Riley Green concert.

People who buy alcoholic beverages in any downtown bar or restaurant that participates in the Dora district can take that drink outside and walk with it right up to The Amp. All they have to do is ask for a Dora wristband and cup before leaving. Pouring that drink into the Dora cup makes it a road soda. You can take it to go and drink it anywhere within the Dora boundaries – which extend right up to the gates of The Amp.

The goal of the Dora is to create cohesion between bars and restaurants and get visitors to move around.

“The hope is that people will come downtown early and go to the bars and restaurants, and then walk down Phelps Street [with their drink] to the concert,” Ryan said.

Dora drinks cannot be brought into The Amp, he said. Patrons must finish them before going inside.

After the concert, guests with unfinished drinks can take them to go. All they have to do is get a Dora wristband and cup at The Amp before leaving. The transaction, if asked for, will take place at the gate, and not at the concession stand. 

Saturday’s concert featuring Lita “Kiss Me Deadly” Ford will be a homecoming show for The Vindys, who are currently on tour with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Learn more about it HERE.

Sunday’s concert is an extra-cool one, with two well-respected bands that have never played Youngstown.

The progressive hard rockers Coheed & Cambria are known for their sci-fi concept albums and tight musicianship. The band released its latest album, “The Father of Make Believe,” in March.

Mastodon has also earned acclaim for its alternative metal sound. The band is expected to release a new album this year.

Two more outdoor events are on the horizon:

  • Kings Highway (a Tom Petty tribute band), with opening act RDNA, will open the River Rock at the Amp season at the Warren Community Amphitheatre on Saturday. For info, click HERE.
  • The Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ home opener will be Wednesday, June 4, at Eastwood Field in Niles. The team will take on the State College Spikes at 7:05 p.m. Get there early for a pregame concert by the Suns of Beaches at 5 p.m. For information, click HERE.

For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.

Pictured at top: Country music star Riley Green will play the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre tonight. (Photo by J. Wright)