Live Entertainment

[Orion-XL200]

I grabbed these screenshots from the app earlier this week: 

These shows are no longer listed on the app. Not sure if it was a glitch or not. 

However, I wondered if Kings Island could replicate the Bands In Residence program that Cedar Point has. If you look at their line up for the year, it's a pretty hefty one, on top of already having shows planned throughout the park (they haven't listed them on the site yet, but they were shared during Winter Chill Out). I know we have HiFi Honey often, but why not add additional bands to entertain the guests? 

Here's the CP Bands In Residence listing: https://www.cedarpoint.com/entertainment/bands-in-residence

[Diamondback_Is_King]

5 minutes ago, Orion-XL200 said:

I grabbed these screenshots from the app earlier this week: 

These shows are no longer listed on the app. Not sure if it was a glitch or not. 

However, I wondered if Kings Island could replicate the Bands In Residence program that Cedar Point has. If you look at their line up for the year, it's a pretty hefty one, on top of already having shows planned throughout the park (they haven't listed them on the site yet, but they were shared during Winter Chill Out). I know we have HiFi Honey often, but why not add additional bands to entertain the guests? 

Here's the CP Bands In Residence listing: https://www.cedarpoint.com/entertainment/bands-in-residence

It seems like the screenshots are unavailable on mine. Could just be a computer issue on my end.

[Orion-XL200]

29 minutes ago, Diamondback_Is_King said:

It seems like the screenshots are unavailable on mine. Could just be a computer issue on my end.

Fixed now.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think Hot Rhythm Nights was at Dorney Park last summer. If it's the same show, I'm super excited because it was awesome! If we do get a real Bands in Residence program, I'd like to see real stages built for it like Cedar Point has (instead of the temporary stages like are used for Grand Carnivale and Tricks and Treats).

I do also hope this is the last year for the stunt show(s). They're fun and hype guests up, but the International Showplace feels like it needs something new. Have any other Six Flags parks recently had a stunt show? 

Excited to see when the park posts the entertainment lineup.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I have long requested the park do a bands in residence program. I have several friends who are in bands around the general area (I was a part of School of Rock in Mason for about 3 years so I have connections) and I'm sure they would love the opportunity to perform at KI. Hifi Honey and River City are nice, but I think more local bands in the spring time would be great!

Like @Losantiville Mining Co. said, they should consider putting in permanent stages for something like that and tbh KI sorta has that already with the Festhaus (where Hifi Honey performs in the spring) as well as the Bandstand. There's also the LaRosas patio in Rivertown as well as the little gazebo by Diamondback. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

My top three locations would be:

• a new stage across from The Beast's entrance
  • similar to the Back Porch Stage that used to be where Diamondback's station is
  • built alongside a new plaza expansion back there
• the International Bandstand
• the spot near Mercado where the stage normally is during Winterfest

A bonus one would be across from the Soak City VIP lounge. This would add one more thing for people to do in Soak City — even though people don't normally go to a waterpark expecting to watch live music. It looks like Cedar Point has one stage outside Hotel Breakers. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

^^KD I believe built a stage in their Soak City for live music a few years back. I've honestly said Soak City should have live music especially on heavy busy days (ie Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July, most Saturdays in June/July). 

[disco2000]

KI had a live music in Soak City on a make-shift stage as well....

The sad thing is more times than not, when River City (great local band) played in Action Zone a few years back, they had more entertainment associates watching than guests.  Those playing on Coney Mall stage wasn't that much better.  Or the DJ in that spot during Haunt and Winterfest.  Same with Hifi Honey - when they aren't on the Festhaus stage but instead on the makeshift stage outside, the guest numbers just aren't there.  If people can't sit, they don't seem to attract the numbers outside of their groupies LOL.

With guest numbers like that, it is hard to justify continuing or expanding that program, especially in the Six way of things.  But at the same time, the shows were not really advertised either and were on temporary stages, so it was a hit or miss thing.  Like the steel drum reggae band in Soak City - you only knew about if you saw it.

Maybe an event like you are suggesting would work well in the early and late part of the season in Festhaus, but having a temporary stage in one of the areas for a new local band every week to play just seems like we would see more of what we have seen with the established local bands that are kinda known by some KI guests due to their many years performing here.

Just based on numbers, I could see outside bands be an easy target for cutting from the entertainment scene.  The question is do we go entertainment dormant in those parts of the season?

[Orion-XL200]

I can understand that @disco2000.

I also think they could take the page of planning from Cedar Point who continues to expand the offering. Cedar Point has added stages (not necessarily fully permanent but also not completely temporary) near food venues such as Farm House and Back Beat Que. They’ve also added a stage that gets used in Frontier Town across from Miss Keat’s that has themed seating added. Even though it’s in the kids area, I could see a food venue stage near Pig Pen’s Mess Hall. Festhaus obviously would work. A stage could be added near Coney BBQ, replacing the Skyline patio (maybe a rework). And there could maybe a seating area with a stage added near The Beast entrance where the soccer game/ax throwing game is.

It could be done, creatively if the park wanted to put an effort into it. Will they? Probably not, lol, but it would be nice.

 

This is a description from 2024 of Cedar Point looking for bands:

Quote

Cedar Point is soliciting the best bands from across the region and country to join us in a unique Bands in Residence program. Local and regional bands can submit for consideration to share their music and vocal talent with the millions of guests who visit during the park’s 2024 season. Chosen bands will perform at one of Cedar Point’s live entertainment venues as part of the program.

Bands selected will perform multiple, short sets each day for one week. This is a paid opportunity and includes accommodations, access to the park, and a meal/drink plan.

IMPORTANT! Bands should NOT EXCEED FOUR (4) Members due to stage and production limitations. Two of the stages will be focused on solo/duo/trio acts. All genres are welcome, but there is an emphasis on rock, blues, country, folk, bluegrass, indie/alternative and pop. When creating your CloudPressKit, please provide as much information as possible and at least three (3) tracks of music that have been professionally recorded.

 

[disco2000]

50 minutes ago, Orion-XL200 said:

I can understand that @disco2000.

I also think they could take the page of planning from Cedar Point who continues to expand the offering. Cedar Point has added stages (not necessarily fully permanent but also not completely temporary) near food venues such as Farm House and Back Beat Que. They’ve also added a stage that gets used in Frontier Town across from Miss Keat’s that has themed seating added. Even though it’s in the kids area, I could see a food venue stage near Pig Pen’s Mess Hall. Festhaus obviously would work. A stage could be added near Coney BBQ, replacing the Skyline patio (maybe a rework). And there could maybe a seating area with a stage added near The Beast entrance where the soccer game/ax throwing game is.

It could be done, creatively if the park wanted to put an effort into it. Will they? Probably not, lol, but it would be nice.

 

This is a description from 2024 of Cedar Point looking for bands:

 

It is interesting.

One would expect bringing in that kind of event would do better at KI than CP.

One would think with KI being such a season pass heavy park that they could tap into that market by taking advantage of the passholder being there so much that they would welcome a break from the rides and watch some short run shows (more shows than they would now) more so than the person going to CP and wanting to ride, ride, ride, and with 45min Fast Lanes, not enough time to watch shows LOL.

I guess it works up there because they have a higher season pass base than most expect and maybe drawing in families where the ride warriors ride and the casual riders go do shows.

But it is odd seeing so few watch these at KI.

[Captain Nemo]

Live entertainment and Kings Island have had a very long and committed relationship. Through each era we had a very different style of stage shows. Large cast and broadways style, ice skating, and whatever Half Pint Brawlers was…

I loved most of the entertainment the park had throughout my memory going back to 2005. I never saw a show before that. Up til then parks have and still stick to the ‘review show’ trope. Find a musical subject and stick with it for 20-30 minutes. Shows are great, but they bring no revenue in the sense of; Those 500-1000 guests during those 20-30 minutes is valuable to the guests and even more so to Six Flags. I don’t need I need to speak to this community about how important a half hour at a park can be. From Six Flags perspective, that time at a show is also time you could be getting food, getting a caricature portrait, buying on ride photos. All things that get you to use your wallet. So parks attach experiences like culinary and theatre (festhaus). 
in this day and age of live entertainment I think Kings Island needs more investment in live band/soloists like they have done during Winterfest. 

Marty’s Party is still hands down the best dang show Kings Island ever had

[Oldiesmann]

The "artist-in-residence" thing works at CP because that's the biggest entertainment destination in that part of the state. KI is within 2 hours of Cincinnati, Columbus, Indy, Lexington and Louisville (and probably other big cities as well) and there's a lot to do in this area during the summer months - including free live concerts by local/regional acts.

[Orion-XL200]

By that thought, you might as well ax all entertainment. No need to do fireworks because you can see them at various points of the season within the region, we didn't need to have any of the Cirque shows because there were likely similar ones in the region as well. Might as well close Kings Island because there is a lot to do in the area during the summer months - including Striker's Grove and Scene 75  

I get what you're saying though, however, there are people who go to the park(s) for shows. They go for entertainment. When my folks last visited KI (2004) all they did was eat, sit by the Royal Fountain and watch shows. They could have easily went to a couple of restaurants outside of the park, seen a show at the Aronoff and enjoyed a fountain in a backyard. Yet, they chose to visit Kings Island. 

The same could be said for people who visit Cedar Point. Toledo and Cleveland are not that far away for entertainment...yet people choose to visit Cedar Point for things other than shows. In 2022, I think I spent more time watching a show than I did on rides, or about equal amount of time. 

The Bands In Residence program isn't anywhere near the amount of production value as the Gazillion Bubble show or Phantom Theater Encore. The production of the program is quite simple, little to no cost goes into the actual performances from the park. They band is provided a stage, basic lighting, microphones and speakers. The program isn't really there to replace big stage shows, but to be added value entertainment. Walking down the midway by Back Beat Que last year, I hear "Into The Mystic" being played live. I stop and listen for 2-3 minutes and move on. Having a meal at Farmhouse and hearing the band playing "Sweet Caroline," adds a bit of entertainment to my meal time. 

 

[Captain Nemo]

41 minutes ago, Orion-XL200 said:

The Bands In Residence program isn't anywhere near the amount of production value as the Gazillion Bubble show or Phantom Theater Encore. The production of the program is quite simple, little to no cost goes into the actual performances from the park. They band is provided a stage, basic lighting, microphones and speakers. The program isn't really there to replace big stage shows, but to be added value entertainment. Walking down the midway by Back Beat Que last year, I hear "Into The Mystic" being played live. I stop and listen for 2-3 minutes and move on. Having a meal at Farmhouse and hearing the band playing "Sweet Caroline," adds a bit of entertainment to my meal time. 

 

It sounds like a great program! Live performances like that are a lot more intimate. Plus soloists get a freedom to break out of the venue show norms. No big light's, fog or lasers needed. Just a catchy song and a singer to keep the good jive going as you head to the next ride. 

[Orion-XL200]

Just now, Captain Nemo said:

It sounds like a great program! Live performances like that are a lot more intimate. Plus soloists get a freedom to break out of the venue show norms. No big light's, fog or lasers needed. Just a catchy song and a singer to keep the good jive going as you head to the next ride. 

100% Live music is a lot better than something off of a playlist that you can hear when you swing back through the area 3-4 hours later. It's truly something that adds value.

[Captain Nemo]

1 minute ago, Orion-XL200 said:

100% Live music is a lot better than something off of a playlist that you can hear when you swing back through the area 3-4 hours later. It's truly something that adds value.

Plus SIX can benefit this. As you just said, you just stopped to listen for a few minutes. That statistic is important to SIX. Only Food and Beverage will know the amount of revenue they make with and without a live performer. Spoiler alert, it’s a lot of money.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

The shows are also a great benefit for the people who come to the park and can't ride the rides or roller coasters for one reason or another. Also, more shows means higher capacity/more people who aren't clogging up (respectfully) ride queues for around 30 minutes, improving the overall guest experience. Either way, I think I'd like to hear someone/a group perform a lot more than I'd like to listen to the playlists that repeat far too quickly or are way too short for what they need to be.