Y-Live Concert Featuring Kid Rock an ‘Amazing Success’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – With attendance topping 20,000, the promoter of Saturday’s Y-Live concert is calling the event a success.

“The region came out and supported the event stronger than they ever have and made Y-Live an amazing success again,” said Ken Bigley, vice president of JAC Live. “The weather had us watching the radar closely the whole week, but in the end it worked out beautifully.”

The concert at Wean Park, downtown, featured Kid Rock, with Lee Brice and Buckcherry.

Last year’s Y-Live concert – which was the first at Wean Park – also topped the 20,000 mark.

Despite the crush of cars to the downtown area, and some streets closed due to reconstruction, traffic flow was as good as could be expected.

“We were proactive to do everything possible to get the word out on parking availability, guidelines on entry concerning what you could and could not bring inside the grounds, and how to navigate downtown,” Bigley said. 

He also praised Youngstown police and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office for traffic flow and crowd control, and the cooperation of Youngstown State University for making its parking facilities available.

The event also boosted downtown bars and restaurants, which have been feeling a downturn in business that they blame on street reconstruction projects. Every bar and eatery on the Federal Street corridor was packed with customers for several hours before the concert, and then got another crowd after it.

“That is one of the main reasons it was so important to us to keep Y-Live downtown, so we could provide this sizable economic impact to the business owners down here,” Bigley said.

Despite the large crowd, the event was peaceful.

“Planning for any mass gathering brings public safety to the forefront, and you have to prepare for a variety of situations,” Bigley said. “But it’s always a great feeling after the event when none of that preparation had to be called into action.”

Bigley also praised the staff of JAC Management and its subcontractors, who assembled the stage, tents and venue in 90-degree heat in the days leading up to the concert.

“We’re going to take a few deep breaths and then get started planning next year,” he said.

Pictured at top: Part of the crowd of more than 20,000 watch Kid Rock perform at Saturday’s Y-Live concert.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.