Michiganders who grew up going to concerts at the amphitheater in Clarkston before 2001 are celebrating the news of the return of the Pine Knob moniker.
Venue operator 313 Presents announced Friday morning that they were bringing back the OG name after DTE Energy’s naming rights deal expired. A new logo was also revealed with the announcement, mixing an old school aesthetic with modern touches. As the Detroit Free Press reports, Pine Knob is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season so the timing to revive the original name couldn’t be more appropriate.
“We landed on the clear favorite that touches the right buttons in terms of music, summer, fun and outdoors. We put it through the wringer,” 313 Presents president Howard Handler told Freep. “We hope it strikes the right balance between tipping our hat to the rich memories and nostalgia, while being a contemporary take on the scenic landscape that’s symbolic of Michigan’s premier summer concert destination. It’s vintage, but it’s also meant to look toward the future and be very much a 21st century brand.”
The venue was known as Pine Knob since 1972 before DTE Energy purchased the naming rights ahead of the summer 2001 season. Despite the name change, many concert goers still called it Pine Knob. 313 Presents made sure to tap into that nostalgia by releasing the promo video that you can watch below.
As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the live events industry for nearly two years, today’s news has given music fans something to be excited about. Concert promoters continue to tread through uncertain waters as COVID-19 cases have surged again because of the Omicron variant.
The 2022 Pine Knob season is scheduled to kick off May 27 with alt group AJR. Also on the schedule are Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, Tears For Fears, Jack Johnson, Rod Stewart and more. Expect additional tour announcements soon from Live Nation and 313 Presents.
Photo credit: 313 Presents
