Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast, Carolina Calling, explores the history of the Tar Heel State through music.

Downtown Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater had a record-breaking year in 2024, the venue’s penultimate season in its original 500 S. McDowell St. location. Red Hat hosted 51 shows this year, its most ever and nearly triple the number from the inaugural year of 2010.

Those shows have drawn big crowds, too. As of mid-September, Red Hat concerts had sold 265,000 total tickets in 2024—another house record, and already 120,000 more than 2023’s entire season. Red Hat has been a key driver in downtown Raleigh’s revitalization, and will continue to do so when the new, bigger, better version of the amphitheater opens a block south from the current location in 2026. 

Not bad for something that began as a place-keeping afterthought. The late Roger Krupa, who oversaw facilities for the City of Raleigh, came up with the idea of using the block earmarked for a future Raleigh Convention Center expansion as a temporary 6,000-capacity concert venue. Kerry Painter, current executive director for the Raleigh Convention Center and Performing Arts Complex, simply refers to it as “The Amp.”

“Roger had some pretty amazing big ideas that turned out to be genius, even the ones that didn’t start out as big ideas,” says Painter “The Amp was just something smart to do with that land while waiting for Convention Center expansion to happen, and it turned into a boutique gem that audiences and artists love. All from a temporary placeholder.”

Belying its temporary status, Red Hat quickly became a downtown draw, one that businesses and restaurants in its vicinity came to rely on. In 2023, Red Hat shows generated $17.5 million for the city and also helped spike revenues in nearby establishments on show nights.

“Selling 265,000 tickets puts that many more sets of feet on the street,” says Painter. “People drive down here, see things open, maybe go to dinner before or a brewpub afterward. A lot of businesses did the math on amp versus non-amp nights, and their revenues were 150- to 200-percent higher on show nights. It makes a huge difference.”

With the Raleigh Convention Center’s upcoming $387.5 million expansion in the works, construction on the new Red Hat site is scheduled to start in early 2025. It’s projected to open in 2026 with a capacity of 7,000, an increase of 1,000 seats over current capacity. Raleigh-based software company Red Hat will remain the venue’s title sponsor at least through 2027.

In the meantime, the current Red Hat closed out a very successful 2024 concert season on Oct. 27 with “Music For the Mountains," a benefit to raise funds for Hurricane Helene relief with Old Crow Medicine Show, Chatham County Line, American Aquarium’s BJ Barham and other acts. According to Band Together, one of the event organizers, the event raised more than $1 million (100% of proceeds from tickets, food and merchandise went to Community Foundation for Western North Carolina). 

Coming later this year will be THE RINK, Red Hat’s annual transformation into an ice skating rink over the holiday season. And five 2025 concerts are already on the schedule, including country singer Warren Zeiders (April 25), YouTube star Teddy Swims (May 17) and the venerable parodist “Weird Al” Yankovic (July 24).

As for the 2026 transition to Red Hat’s new space, a major priority will be to preserve and improve upon the original venue’s charms.

“It’s a unique and special place,” says Painter. “The quaintness of the size, the fact you’re downtown seeing the skyline and trains sometimes interrupting the show are all beloved elements. The quirks make it a favorite. Barenaked Ladies even did a song about the Shimmer Wall the year it opened.”

Indeed, one thing that will be lost with the move is proximity to that signature feature, the Raleigh Convention Center’s west-facing Shimmer Wall. But not to worry—a replacement is already in the works.

“We have an incredible sign,” says Painter. “It’s not yet been released, but it will be THE spot to stop and take pictures right at the corner where you come in. It needs its own special something because it’s our special Amp.”

^{Header photo and first concert photo by Garrett Poulos}