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Lincoln's live-music scene: 'When you’ve got great venues, things fall into place'

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Editor's Pick Top Story

Lincoln's live-music scene: 'When you’ve got great venues, things fall into place'

1 of 2

Pinnacle Bank Arena

The opening of Pinnacle Bank Arena in 2013 changed the Haymarket district and transformed Lincoln into a concert destination.

Elton John

Elton John performs at the Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013.

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L. KENT WOLGAMOTT Lincoln Journal Star

On May, 11 2010, Lincoln voters, by a 56 to 44 margin, forever changed entertainment in the city by approving a $25 million bond issue.

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Michael Bublé, who gave the first arena concert Sept. 13, 2013, "They did a beautiful job. Beautiful job. I can tell you, aesthetically the building is beautiful." Later, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is one of the great highlights of my career to be here and open this building for you."

On his return in 2018, the singer said: “You are strong people here. I admire you very much. I respect what you’re doing and, more than that, I just like you. I’ll come back here as many times as you’ll have me. It won’t be five years. I promise.”

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star file photo

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Country music legend Willie Nelson points at a member of the Pinewood Bowl audience as he walks onto the stage on in 2017. The music legend will make his return to Lincoln this summer.

FRANCIS GARDLER, File photo

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Photos: Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena from the ground up

Pinnacle Bank Arena

Construction on the Pinnacle Bank Arena began in November 2010. 

ERIC GREGORY/Journal Star file photo

Pinnacle Bank Arena

An average of 250 workers per day labored as the outer shell of the arena was built. As the arena has become enclosed, as many as 400 to 500 will be working daily.

ERIC GREGORY/Journal Star file photo

Aerials

An aerial photo show the construction in 2012.

GWYNETH ROBERTS/Journal Star file photo

Pinnacle Bank Arena - interior

Interior view of Pinnacle Bank Arena construction as of Monday, Dec. 3, 2012.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena topping-out

Members of the Nebraska Band play during the topping-out ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the construction site of the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne speaks at the Topping Out ceremony before the final beam is raised Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Construction workers (bottom right) watch the topping out ceremony for Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

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LINCOLN, NEB. - 12/12/2012 - The final beam to raised is crowded with signatures of Nebraska fans on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the construction site of the Pinnacle Bank Arena. (FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star)

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Pinnacle Bank employee John Thomas of Aurora signs the final beam to be placed at the Pinnacle Bank Arena during the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

University of Nebraska marching band member Frank Stroup warms up his trombone during the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Steel workers (from left) Rick Blancato, Chris Rust and Matt McDonald, all of Danny's Construction of Shakopee, Minn., talk during the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Danny's Construction is responsible for the steel work in the arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

University of Nebraska cheerleaders sport hardhats at the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Guests listen to speakers during the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Construction workers line the balcony of the arena during the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Construction workers raise the final beam up for the crowd to see during the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena's final beam

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne signs construction workers' hard hats after the Topping Out ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena - enclosure

Eric Buscher attaches corner bead as he works drywall in the main concourse of the Pinnacle Bank Arena on Thursday, Jan 31, 2013.

ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena - enclosure

A truck dumps crushed limestone onto the floor as construction continues inside the Pinnacle Bank Arena on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013.

ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena

Buff-colored wall panels on the exterior of the Pinnacle Bank Arena are made by Concrete Industries. Concrete Industries, a subsidiary of NEBCO, is one of many Lincoln-based companies profiting from the construction work.

ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena

An aerial view, looking southeast, of the Pinnacle Bank Arena on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013.

ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena

Midwest Steel employee Jeff Oltman clamps steel together as he welds a hand rail for the Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Midwest Steel is one of many Lincoln-based companies profiting from the construction work.

ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena construction, 3.12.13

A view of the rigging grid -- where concert lighting would be hung -- as seen above the Pinnacle Bank Arena Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena construction, 3.12.13

Construction worker Edik Tishkov works in the area where seating in the lower bowl of Pinnacle Bank Arena is being added  Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena construction, 3.12.13

New seats are being added to the lower bowl of the Pinnacle Bank Arena Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena construction, 3.12.13

A view of the lower bowl of Pinnacle Bank Arena as seen from the catwalk near to the top of the building Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena floor

This interior photo, shot March 12, 2013, shows the Pinnacle Bank Arena under construction.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Journal Star file photo

Pinnacle Bank Arena construction, 3.12.13

A construction worker carries seat backs for seating in the lower bowl of the Pinnacle Bank Arena continued Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena

Finished seats are covered in plastic as the arena's new scoreboard hangs waiting to be finished in a view from the upper level at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena

Finishing touches are being added to suites at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena

Tom Lorenz, general manager for Pinnacle Bank Arena, points out features of the northeast entrance while giving a tour.

GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena

The arena's new four-sided scoreboard, measuring 16 1/2 feet tall and 22 feet wide, topped by another full video board that is 6 feet tall and 22 feet wide, hangs above the floor at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star

Arena

LINCOLN, NEB - 11/21/2012 - Pinnacle Bank Arena looking north and Haymarket area on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. TED KIRK/Lincoln Journal Star

TED KIRK/Lincoln Journal Star

Arena

LINCOLN, NEB - 11/21/2012 - Pinnacle Bank Arena looking east and Haymarket area on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. TED KIRK/Lincoln Journal Star

TED KIRK/Lincoln Journal Star

Arena

LINCOLN, NEB - 11/21/2012 - Pinnacle Bank Arena looking south and Haymarket area on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. TED KIRK/Lincoln Journal Star

TED KIRK/Lincoln Journal Star

Construction work

Many of the construction workers who worked on the Pinnacle Bank Arena have moved on to other work. Reports indicate about 60 percent of area construction workers were from Lincoln, and another 32 percent from elsewhere in the state.

MATT RYERSON/Journal Star file photo

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Construction workers do prep work Friday on the exterior of the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena sign

Pinnacle Bank has 15 more years to go on its naming-rights contract for the arena. "We certainly feel it's been a great great investment," said Mark Hesser, president and CEO of Pinnacle Bancorp Inc.

Journal Star file photo

Pinnacle Bank Arena sign

Michael Hiatt (left) and John Costello, with Omaha Neon Sign Co., begin installation of the sign on the south side of Pinnacle Bank Arena on Monday, May 13, 2013. GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star

GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star

Siding

A construction crew installs the last of the siding on the exterior of Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, May 31, 2013, in the Haymarket in Lincoln.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Bleachers

A worker installs a step on the retractable bleachers Friday, May 31, 2013, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Testing seats

Workers try out the seats as they pause to watch a guided tour pass by Friday, May 31, 2013, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Seat installation

Construction workers install seats Friday, May 31, 2013, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. 

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Suites

Private suites begin to take shape Friday, May 31, 2013, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Seat installation

Construction workers install seat cushions on 400-level seats Friday, May 31, 2013, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Main concourse

A construction worker walks along the back side of the main concourse Friday, May 31, 2013, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Main concourse

A worker assembles a wire railing on the main concourse Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Front windows

A view from the main concourse looking out the front windows Friday, May 31, 2013, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. 

KRISTIN STREFF/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena Ribbon Cutting

State, city and University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials cut the ribbon officially opening Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 29.

MATT RYERSON/Journal Star file photo

Pinnacle Bank Arena Ribbon Cutting

Husker basketball season ticket holders Elaine and Ralph Burritt of Lincoln check out the view from their seats after the ribbon cutting at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Candy Box

Hundreds of people file past the "Candy Box," an art piece in the concourse at Pinnacle Bank Arena after the arena's ribbon cutting on Aug. 29, 2013.

Journal Star file photo

Tim Miles

A line of people including Gov. Dave Heineman, Mayor Chris Beutler and Nebraska basketball coaches Tim Miles and Connie Yori line up to cut the ribbon at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 29, 2013.

MATT RYERSON, Lincoln Journal Star File Photo

Pinnacle Bank Arena Ribbon Cutting

The Linh Quang Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe perform during the Pinnacle Bank Arena ribbon cutting on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

Pinnacle Bank Arena Ribbon Cutting

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln pep band plays for the crowd during the Pinnacle Bank Arena ribbon cutting on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013.

MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star

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Pinnacle Bank Arena

The opening of Pinnacle Bank Arena in 2013 changed the Haymarket district and transformed Lincoln into a concert destination.

Michael Bublé, who gave the first arena concert Sept. 13, 2013, "They did a beautiful job. Beautiful job. I can tell you, aesthetically the building is beautiful." Later, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is one of the great highlights of my career to be here and open this building for you."

On his return in 2018, the singer said: “You are strong people here. I admire you very much. I respect what you’re doing and, more than that, I just like you. I’ll come back here as many times as you’ll have me. It won’t be five years. I promise.”

Elton John performs at the Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013.

Country music legend Willie Nelson points at a member of the Pinewood Bowl audience as he walks onto the stage on in 2017. The music legend will make his return to Lincoln this summer.

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