Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Cheap Trick is set to perform at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls at 8 p.m. today at Timberwood Amphitheater as part of the park's 2016 concert series.
Little Rock band Bombay Black will open for Cheap Trick at 7 p.m.
With more than 5,000 performances spanning four decades and 20 million records sold worldwide, Cheap Trick is undoubtedly one of the most influential classic rock groups of the past 50 years, a news release said.
The band was formed in 1974 and, while it has evolved throughout the years, Cheap Trick has continued to reach mainstream and critical success. Such hits as "I Want You to Want Me," "Dream Police" and "Surrender" have cemented the group as one of America's top rock 'n' roll bands of all time.
"It's our first rock 'n' roll concert this season and we're tickled," said Kathy Marchese, the park's sales and marketing director.
"Just from experience and knowing the time of year that it is, we think this will be one of our top three concerts for the year," said Magic Springs General Manager Steve Honeycutt. "The weather really looks good -- of course that always affects our concerts -- the weather forecast is very, very positive right now so just with their rich history and everything, we think they'll do extremely well."
VIP seating is still available for tonight's show for those who want to be seated closer to the band, or guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating on the lawn.
"We were just talking this morning that the bike rally is going on this weekend, so I'm sure they'll want to come out and see Cheap Trick as well," Honeycutt noted.
Honeycutt said that park staff had high expectations for its concert series opener Hunter Hayes on June 4, but with an 80 percent chance of rain in the forecast that day, crowd numbers suffered. Hinder performed on June 11 and MercyMe on June 18, which Honeycutt said was a "fantastic" show.
"I think this is one of the best balanced schedules that we've had, just because we've got the rock 'n' roll, we've got the Christian, we've got the country, we've got the pop for the kids, so we're real excited about it," he added.
Country band Maddie & Tae is set to perform July 2 and Disney star Sabrina Carpenter is set for July 9.
Honeycutt said he expects the Dwight Yoakam concert, scheduled for July 30, to be one of the "top shows" this season.
All concerts are free with the purchase of a general admission ticket or a 2016 Magic Springs Season Pass.
Call 624-0100 for more information.
Local on 06/25/2016