East Troy, Wisconsin’s seasonal concert venue, Alpine Valley Music Theater, has been sold to Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. for $7.5 million, but Live Nation will continue operations.
The 42-year-old venue can hold 37,000 people and has 150 acres of land. Previously, it was owned by the Milwaukee-based Zilber Property Group and was up-for-grabs back in 2014 briefly for $8.4 million. Consolidated-Tomoka President and CEO John P. Albright said in a statement that this is the company’s first purchase in Wisconsin. While the new owners will take over, Live Nation’s lease will still run for 11 more years through 2030.
In the past, Alpine Valley has been a common destination for touring artists; it’s hosted icons like Judas Priest, the Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett, Deep Purple, Phish, and Pearl Jam. Aerosmith has played at the venue 14 times throughout their career, including the venue’s inaugural season in 1977. However, over the years, sales have declined – especially within the last decade, Journal Sentinel reports. In 2017, the venue failed to book a single concert.
Last year, Alpine reopened and is currently hosting its busiest season in 15 years with a three-night Phish residency, a two-night gig from Dave Matthews Band, a sold-out Buffett show, and a stop on Hootie and the Blowfish’s comeback tour. Concertgoers can catch The Who performing at the venue on September 8, followed by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews performing at their annual Farm Aid Festival on September 21.
