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Elton John’s concert will set new attendance record at Covelli
YOUNGSTOWN
Elton John’s return to the Covelli Centre today will set a new attendance record for the facility.
After the legendary singer’s stage was erected, the show’s promoter decided to allow the sale of a few hundred seats — all costing $29 — near and behind the stage that originally weren’t for sale.
“The stage fit better than expected, allowing the sale of additional seats,” said Eric Ryan, the center’s executive director.
The sold-out concert will have more than 7,500 in attendance, he said.
About 7,200 people had tickets — 6,000 sold to the public and the rest to suite and club-seat holders — to today’s show before the additional seats opened up Friday. Those tickets were sold in a few hours.
The previous attendance record at the center, which opened in October 2005, was 7,334 for a Feb. 21, 2009, middleweight boxing championship title defense by Kelly Pavlik.
John already owned the center’s previous concert attendance record of about 7,000 from his appearance there May 1, 2010.
“There were more seats not sold for the first concert because it was a different configuration,” Ryan said. “We’re able to put more seats on the floor for this show.”
Elton John’s concert at the Covelli Centre today kicks off his latest North American tour.
His road crew arrived Thursday and spent two days erecting the stage, the lights and other equipment.
“It’s quite elaborate,” Ryan said. “The setup is truly amazing. This is a huge show.”
The concert should increase business at downtown’s bars and restaurants, owners of those establishments said.
“January and February for most restaurants are a slow time,” said Joe Cassese, manager of Cassese’s MVR on North Walnut Street. “This is a great, great boost to business. So many out-of-towners come to Youngstown for the show and go for dinner and drinks. We’ve had a lot of people calling wanting to eat here.”
Gus Schuett, general manager for Warehouse 50 on West Federal Street, also anticipates increased business today because of the concert.
“We expect big crowds for big events at the Covelli Centre,” he said. “Some events we thought would be busy were busts. But we think Elton John will increase business for us.”
Police will have their normal four-officer traffic/security detail working at the center for the concert, and three additional officers will be working patrol downtown after the concert, as is also normal on a busy weekend. That is in addition to the regular patrol officer assigned to the downtown beat.
Contributor: Joe Gorman