I’ve always thought that Cincinnati lacked a mid-size outdoor concert venue. In some ways the PNC Pavilion at Riverbend fills that niche, but it is terribly underutilized. Plus it has a roof over it, so you never feel like you are out under the stars. Enter the Horseshoe Casino’s new outdoor event plaza, “The Shoe.”

Event Calendar

This morning their summer concert lineup was announced. You can click the image above for a larger view of the calendar, or here is a full list:

• May 16 – The Killers – SOLD OUT
• May 21 – The Shins
• June 8 – Ke$ha
• June 9 – Huey Lewis & The News
• June 14 – Billy Idol
• July 6 – Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds Five, & Guster
• July 7 – Alice Cooper
• July 19 – Willie Nelson & Family
• July 25 – Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon, & Fastball
• Aug. 23 – Chicago
• Sept. 5 – Jeff Dunham
• Sept. 22 – Earth, Wind & Fire

I see a few shows that I’m definitely considering attending. It looks like some of the shows will have reserved seating, while others are full general admission. I’m told the capacity is over 3,000. The Killers show was announced earlier this month and sold out almost immediately. Time will tell how the acoustics are and how the venue is configured, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.