Rocking Costa Mesa again

Lolita Harper

The sleeping giant, once known as a premiere concert venue, will

again host the top names in music, as the Pacific Amphitheatre kicks

off its concert series with acclaimed jazz musician Diana Krall

tonight.

The Grammy award-winning performer launches a 21-show series at the Orange County Fair with her smooth contemporary sounds. Krall is

flying in from her tour of Italy to play one night at the fair. She

was the highest paid artist of the series, costing $450,000, which

includes travel costs.

She is the first of many big-name acts that will grace the stage

of the rejuvenated venue.

The Fair Board has spend considerable time and effort to revive

the Pacific Amphitheater since its closure in 1995. Officials said

they have worked closely with residents, who complained the

amphitheater was too loud, to modify the noise levels and reduce the

number of seats.

In addition to physical renovations, the amphitheater also

upgraded its sound system. Technology now allows concert producers to

aim sound at the audience, instead of having it waft through the

neighborhood.

“The sound system we are using this year is light-years ahead of

what we’ve used in the past,” Steve Beasley said. “I think people are

going to be impressed by the sound, and people outside will be

surprised.”

This summer’s concert series will treat its audience members to

nontraditional fair performances.

“Most people think of fair concerts in the middle of an arena,

right after a rodeo,” Beasley said.

Not this time around. The shows at the Pacific Amphitheater, which

include Duran Duran, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Melissa Etheridge and

311, will be the same productions people see on tour. The fair has

featured free concerts for about an hour, with bleachers and folding

chairs in the middle of a grass field. This is time around, people

will get the “full-blown” concert experience, Beasley said.

Of course, with more sophisticated props and higher-priced acts

came higher ticket prices.

Last year, tickets sold for $10 on top of fair admission. This

year, tickets cost from $20 to $90, depending on the seats, and fair

admission is included.

Along with big-name bands come “riders:” a list of accommodations

the artist needs to perform in that venue. Basically, it is a

wish-list for the stars. Beasley said all riders are open to

negotiation and she did not see anything too out of the ordinary.

Many people asked for caviar. One performer, whom Beasley didn’t

name, asked for a very rare spiced tea.

“We had to track all over for it,” Beasley said. “We couldn’t find

it at any of the health food stores, but we will accommodate that

because it is the artist’s favorite thing and we want to make it a

nice stay for them.”

Tickets for Krall’s performance, which are on sale for $69.50 and

$89.50, are about 50% sold, officials said.