Summer Concerts Return to Forest Hills Stadium Amid Legal Battles

New York City, NY – Summer concerts are back at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, a venue known for its rich history, including hosting tennis legends during the U.S. Open. Mike Luba, a partner with Tiebreaker Productions, which manages the more than 100-year-old stadium, described the atmosphere, saying, “Something happens in this space that’s magic, that’s beyond all of us, and we just try to get out of the way of it and let it happen.”

This season’s concerts almost faced cancellation due to ongoing concerns about noise from local residents. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) recently granted sound amplification permits for events at the venue, after approving a conditional alternative security plan.

In response to these community concerns, Luba noted that they have invested in a cutting-edge public address system from the French company L-Acoustics. “What it enables us to do is maintain full concert volume in the stadium, but the amount of actual energy being produced is reduced significantly,” he explained. This new system allows for directional sound focusing, minimizing noise that leaks outside the stadium.

This summer’s lineup features popular acts including Bloc Party, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Phish, Pulp, Alabama Shakes, and Mumford and Sons. The venue is not only rich in tennis history; it has also hosted musical legends such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Dylan.

<pLuba emphasizes the unique character of the stadium, stating, “The things that happened here in real life are so far behind anything we can make up, on both the sports and culture side of things, that it’s so New York in that way.” To preserve its historic integrity, the stadium has recently undergone full waterproofing to protect its structure.

Concertgoers are encouraged to plan their visits and experience the revival of this iconic venue.