Concert fans, get ready! Verizon Arena announced Monday pop music icons Elton John and Billy Joel in concert together November 28. The concert is part of the arena's 10th anniversary in North Little Rock.
"When you can deliver a big show, kind of reinvigorate the audience, coming out going to see concerts, it really helps us," says Bob Roux with LiveNation.
Recently rebranded from Alltel, the arena received a facelift, repainting the inside red and adding new signage. Leading up to it's 10th anniversary, a familiar face, Elton John opened the venue ten years ago.
“To have him back and add Billy Joel to it and that whole package makes it even better," says Verizon Arena GM Michael Marion.
A better package but certainly not an inexpensive one.
"We're always sensitive on how we price tickets in the market," Roux says.
The cheapest seat runs $59.50. Want to see the piano men up close? Get ready to shell out $180 per ticket plus handling and service fees.
"The thinking is this might be the biggest music event Verizon Arena has ever seen in it's 10 years and therefore, come Saturday, perhaps the hottest ticket they've ever seen as well.
"It is the most successful tour on the road right now in arenas,” Roux says. “I've personally promoted five shows, they've all instantly sold out, most of them within the first hour of sale."
That's up to Arkansas fans. But the decision to build the arena without going into debt with bonds means Verizon Arena is one-million dollars ahead for its 10th anniversary. What about the 20th anniversary?
"That's a good question,” Marion says. “Who knows, we might have Billy and Elton back, they may be still working, who knows."
Verizon Arena requested the concert be held on a Saturday night, just like the Elton John song. So promoters gave them Thanksgiving weekend, November 28th. Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 24th at 10 am at all Ticketmaster locations or at
Ticketmaster or
LiveNation, the Verizon Arena box office or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. There will be a limit of 8 tickets per customer.
