Mailbag: Andy Kinnon Pens an Open Letter to Tammy Kim

To the honorable Ms. Kim,

The residents of Irvine deserve headline artists coming to Irvine as they’ve done for almost 4 decades.

Anything smaller than a 14,000 capacity will not allow that to continue. The larger the venue, more local merchants, charities, and local patrons will all benefit.

Audio will not be an issue due to the advancements as well as a permanent venue that allows the slope to provide enough control.<br />Giving Livenation the exclusive would actually be a great thing and has proven to be a huge benefit to the community.

8,000 seat Pacific amphitheater and the just approved new Anaheim facilities, an iconic arena, outdoor amphitheater, and a 6,000-person concert venue and multiple clubs will fill the void for smaller venues.

I implore you to reopen negotiations with Livenation that have proven to be a great employer and a huge benefit to all that love live music locally.

Dave Matthews just sold two shows out, and Offspring sold out on a Sunday night at FivePoint proving a larger venue is needed while entertaining tens of thousands of local residents.

Driving to Los Angeles or San Diego includes hours of drive time that nobody enjoys doing. Keeping headline entertainment in Irvine is essential and Irvine has been on the world stage since 1981 when Irvine Meadows opened. Some would even risk their lives trespassing Lion County Safari to gain entry into a concert! Various artists played multiple dates also showing the need for a local larger music venue.

All the years headline artists came to Irvine, it was still voted “America’s safest city”!

Irvine City News has written incredible articles on the concerts at FivePoint this season that I hope you’re able to look at. The people of Save Live Music Irvine have been so passionate and patient to being overwhelmed when you made the motion approving a 14,000 capacity, then later squashing it with a capacity that just won’t work for a successful world class amphitheatre. Again, I implore you to reopen talks with Livenation to allow us to keep the same caliber of musical talent coming to the city of Irvine.

Please, please, please reconsider for all to benefit.

Music is “The Cure” for our souls, and the more it can reach, the better.

Mr. Kinnon is a member of IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and has worked at Irvine Meadows and FivePoint Amphitheater.