Mesker Amphitheatre: The Legendary Evansville Concert Venue That Deserves An Encore

We've heard loud and clear about the interest in reviving Mesker Amphitheatre.- Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry, May 19th, 2026.

If that's the case, I know I (and just about every concert fan I know in the Tristate) am ready to turn Mesker Amphitheatre into Resusci Annie. Let's huff and puff, do some chest compressions, and bring that place back to life!

It's hard to believe, but Mesker Amphitheatre officially closed way back in 2012. But the last concert to be staged there happened three years before that. If my research and the documentation I found online are correct, it was July 31st, 2009 that the Doobie Brothers took the stage for what would be the end of a concert era.

I personally have a couple of fond concert memories from Mesker. I remember going to see Richard Marx in concert there when I was in high school.

My friend Allan had a 'date' with a classmate of ours and he didn't want to go alone to the show with her. So, my friend Jill and I bought tickets the day of the show and tagged along.

I'm pretty sure Henry Lee Summer opened that show.

I also remember Richard Marx tossing a guitar pick out to the crowd during the concert. My friends and I were just rows from the stage. I remember that pick flying at my eyeball like a crow ready to peck it out. I ducked to keep retina from being impaled. It was a total defense mechanism, which I later regretted because the woman behind me got the pick.

I started working for WBKR across the river in Owensboro in early 1998 and I  remember seeing Tim McGraw there shortly after I started at the station. Maybe in the late 90s or early 2000s?

However, I must tell you this. While I don't recall the date, I DEFINITELY remember this. He didn't look like that the night of the Mesker concert. Tim had dyed his hair platinum blonde. It was a phase that didn't last long (thankfully), so I am glad I was able to see it in the wild before he colored it back to good.

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I also remember that Jo Dee Messina was his opening act that night at Mesker.

I have a vivid image of her covering "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" by Gloria Estefan. The crowd went crazy.

Honestly, I think Mesker fans went crazy this week when Mayor Terry mentioned Mesker Amphitheatre in her annual State of the City Address. I hope she meant it. I am crossing my fingers and concert-loving ears that serious discussions are being had to bring it back.

In case you're wondering what it looks like, check this out. Semi-recently, my friend Bobby (from MY 105.3 WJLT in Evansville), shared a story about Mesker Amphitheatre with drone photos taken by Michael Festcher.

READ MORE: See What Mesker Amphitheatre Looks Like Now Thanks To Evansville Drone Pilot's Video

Mesker has hosted some legendary musicians. Including the ones I have already mentioned, the amphitheatre has welcomed artists and bands like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Blake Shelton, Poison, B.B. King, Foreigner, The Beach Boys, Chicago, KISS, Reba McEntire, Bryan Adams, and many more.

To see a pretty comprehensive list of the concerts at Mesker, visit setlist.fm. Who knows? We may soon be adding to that list.