{"id":415263,"date":"2026-07-28T15:03:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T15:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/415263\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T15:03:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T15:03:07","slug":"backstage-look-at-the-under-construction-ocvibe-concert-hall-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/415263\/","title":{"rendered":"Backstage look at the under-construction OCVibe concert hall \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the new OCVibe concert hall makes its March debut in Anaheim<\/a>, its developers hope it\u2019ll help amp up Orange County\u2019s entertainment scene.<\/p>\n

That vision may be a little hard to see right now through the scaffolding and hard hats.<\/p>\n

But in a few months, after hundreds of construction workers finish the build, the concert hall will accommodate up to 5,000 audience members and help the county compete with other nearby venues of similar capacities, such as the Greek Theater and Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe impact for greater Orange County is going to be spectacular and something that the market has wanted, has needed, and we are proud to be able to bring it to life,\u201d OCVibe Senior Vice President of Entertainment Eric Bressler said following a recent hard-hat tour of the construction that announced the spring opening window.<\/p>\n

But even at three stories and roughly 104,000 square feet, the concert hall\u2019s developers say it\u2019ll have an \u201cintimate\u201d feel.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t think you had 5,000 people in there,\u201d OCVibe Chief Venue Management Officer Kevin Starkey said of the venue\u2019s interior. \u201cBut once you get through those doors, it\u2019s a party.\u201d<\/p>\n

The yet-to-be-named concert hall is just one element of the multi-phase, $5 billion OCVibe district that\u2019s being developed around the Honda Center. The 100-acre project also plans a 300-capacity music club, a diverse menu of restaurants, parks and plazas, housing, office space and more.<\/p>\n

OCVibe leaders have said a goal is to offer music entertainment at all levels from the small club to an arena show, with the concert hall filling the mid-range need.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The new concert hall at OC ViBE under construction in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The new concert hall at OC ViBE under construction in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

View of Urban Park looking towards the Barral Bar, The Weave Building, Katella Commons and restaurant row from the second story bar at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

View of the Honda Center from the front door of the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Visitors<\/p>\n

Visitors tour construction at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

View of Urban Park looking towards the Barral Bar, The Weave Building, Katella Commons and restaurant row from the second story bar at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Visitors<\/p>\n

Visitors tour construction at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

View of the Honda Center from the second story bar at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Ace<\/p>\n

Ace Enders, of The Early November, performs during a press event for the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A model of OC ViBE shows the new concert hall in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Visitors<\/p>\n

Visitors tour construction at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The new concert hall at OC ViBE under construction in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Visitors<\/p>\n

Visitors tour construction at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Visitors<\/p>\n

Visitors tour construction at the new concert hall at OC ViBE in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 14<\/p>\n

The new concert hall at OC ViBE under construction in Anaheim on Friday, July 24, 2026. The 5,000-capacity live music venue is scheduled to open in early 2027. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

So, before the concert hall officially opens its glass doors, here\u2019s a sneak peek:<\/p>\n

Concert-goers will enter from the new Urban Park<\/a>, a plaza with walking paths and outdoor seating that is connecting several new pieces of OC Vibe to the Honda Center, which is undergoing its own $1 billion makeover<\/a>. Also well under construction are The Weave office building and Katella Commons<\/a>, a kitchen and dining hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea is you dine here, then you come into the venue and have a great evening, or hang out after the event,\u201d Starkey said.<\/p>\n

A giant art installation<\/a>,\u00a0 \u201cStretto,\u201d which in music refers to melodies overlapping, will distinguish the concert hall.<\/p>\n

The art piece will hover above the ground, its metal panels reflecting light and color and mimicking a flowing wave.<\/p>\n

That fluidity extends into the concert hall\u2019s industrial-design lobby, where crews will later install stereo-shaped light fixtures that\u2019ll illuminate several paths.<\/p>\n

Doors will lead to the hall\u2019s ground-floor seating, a flexible-use space looking up at the stage.<\/p>\n

The general admission area will be able to fit about 3,300 people, but the number is being finalized, Starkey said. It will be able to be configured in a variety of ways, he added, including to host a boxing ring.<\/p>\n

Among the concert hall\u2019s nine bars will be the private Gallagher Club \u2014 named after one of OCVibe\u2019s founding sponsors \u2014 which has a balcony overlooking the nearby Honda Center, Katella Commons, the Urban Park and more.<\/p>\n

The hall features three tiers of fixed seats \u2014 there are 1,700, with some pay-extra premium seats \u2014 and multiple standing balconies.<\/p>\n

There are six upstairs bars among the tiers, Starkey noted. \u201cPlenty of places to get a cocktail.\u201d<\/p>\n

And everything faces the mainstage. It\u2019s a massive, 80-by-40-foot stage \u2014 think half of a professional basketball court \u2014 that will be able to extend outward up to 16 more feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe tried to make it extremely flexible,\u201d Starkey said, adding the space could be quickly transformed into, for example, a sports area or awards venue.<\/p>\n

By \u201cNovember or December,\u201d crews will be installing a ceiling-to-floor curtain system and lighting grid that\u2019ll amp up the stage drama.<\/p>\n

Immediately backstage, the developers plan a stark difference in the ambience.<\/p>\n

If the looming stage and seating arrangements carry the electric feel of a concert, the artist area is more of a cozy home away from home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to develop an artist\u2019s area where they feel warm and welcome,\u201d Starkey said.<\/p>\n

There are two suites under construction with full kitchens and built-in laundry and showers, practice space and a dining area for staff. Most rooms have skylights to let in a lot of that California sun.<\/p>\n

And for practicality, there are four drive-up loading docks.<\/p>\n

Everything faces a growing strawberry tree because \u201cwhen we were designing this we wanted to make it very SoCal-esque, so to speak,\u201d Starkey said.<\/p>\n

There is also a small parklet adjoining the spaces for the artists so they can have a backyard feel.<\/p>\n

The artists who will break in the new spaces have yet to be announced. A name for the venue is also expected by the end of the year.<\/p>\n

But construction isn\u2019t waiting for either announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething changes every day,\u201d Starkey said. \u201cEvery time we walk, it\u2019s a whole new experience. And I think the team walks three times a week.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When the new OCVibe concert hall makes its March debut in Anaheim, its developers hope it\u2019ll help amp…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":415264,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,7,23,10111,611,136],"class_list":["post-415263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-california","tag-local-news","tag-ocvibe","tag-orange-county","tag-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415263"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415263\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/415264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}