What is The Pavilion at Star Lake?
Backed by a beautiful natural landscape, The Pavilion at Star Lake is an outdoor amphitheatre and lawn in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, United States. The impressive venue can accommodate 23,000 guests, and is known for its excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art sound system, allowing for an unparalleled concert experience.
The Pavilion at Star Lake, owned and operated by Live Nation, has been performing as an iconic concert venue entertaining audiences for over 30 years. As one of the best venues in the country, The Pavilion at Star Lake has played host to some of the biggest names in music. It was originally called Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater when it opened and hosted its first act, Billy Joel, on 17th June 1990. But for the purposes of writing this blog, we’re glad its name has been somewhat shortened!
Features of The Pavilion at Star Lake as a Performance Venue
The Lawn
Alongside the main seating area, The Pavilion at Star Lake also features a spacious lawn. This area is perfect for those who prefer to relax on the grass and enjoy the concert in a more laid-back manner. The lawn section is also a great option for families with young children, as there's plenty of room to hop, skip, jump, and dance around.
Eating at the Venue
As well as the concert area itself, the venue is praised for its food and drink options. There are gourmet food trucks standing by to dish up some hearty goodness between acts, and multiple craft beer bars and cocktail stands too.
Performance History of The Pavilion at Star Lake
Over the years, The Pavilion at Star Lake has hosted a variety of memorable performances by some of the biggest names in music. From heavy rock bands like Metallica and Megadeth, to pop groups like the Spice Girls. Sprinkle in some Janet Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, and Christina Aguilera and you have a venue with an extensive, and impressive performance history.
Some other acts include:
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- The Grateful Dead
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Papa Roach
- Ozzy Osbourne
- The Steve Miller Band
- Kings of Leon
- Justin Timberlake
- The Who
- Barenaked Ladies
History of The Pavilion at Star Lake
The Pavilion at Star Lake was originally built by the Norwin Band Boosters as an outdoor performance space for local high school bands and had a capacity of approximately 7,500. Over the next several years, the venue continued to grow in popularity and began hosting larger and more high-profile concerts.
In 1999, the venue was purchased by Live Nation (formerly known as SFX Entertainment) and was rebranded as the Coca-Cola Star Lake Pavilion. Under Live Nation's ownership, the Pavilion underwent several significant renovations, including the installation of a new sound system, additional seating, and the construction of VIP suites.
In 2002, the Pavilion was renamed the Post-Gazette Pavilion at Star Lake after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette purchased the naming rights. The venue continued to host a wide variety of concerts, including performances by Pearl Jam and Coldplay.
In 2010, the venue was once again renamed, this time as the First Niagara Pavilion. The name change came after the First Niagara Bank purchased the naming rights to the venue when the Post-Gazette neglected to renew the rights. During this time, the Pavilion continued to attract some of the biggest names in music, including Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and Dave Matthews Band.
In 2021, the Pavilion underwent a major renovation and was rebranded as The Pavilion at Star Lake. The renovation included upgrades to the venue's seating, sound and lighting systems, and backstage areas, as well as the addition of a new VIP lounge and improved concession options.
Our thoughts…
In conclusion, The Pavilion at Star Lake has a rich history as a beloved outdoor concert venue near Pittsburgh. From its humble beginnings as a performance space for high school bands to its current status as one of the premier music venues in the country, the Pavilion has provided countless unforgettable concert experiences for music lovers of all ages.
If you're looking for other ways to immerse yourself in Pittsburgh culture, why not check out our secret escapes and lose yourself in an urban adventure?!
