VERIZON WIRELESS
19TH AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
CONFIRMS O.A.R, CHEAP TRICK & TRAIN
On 5th Street Main Stage Aug. 31-Sept.2

May 2, 2012

The 19th Annual Verizon Wireless American Music Festival will feature three major headline bands on the 5th Street Main Stage between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2.  O.A.R., Cheap Trick and Train have firmly established their popularity in Hampton Roads through previous concerts.  Given the Festival’s unique environment and fan-friendly pricing, this year’s lineup could result in some of the best attended shows in the event’s history.

O.A.R will be the featured band beginning at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 31.  O.A.R.’s 2008 studio album “All Sides” debuted at #13 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on the Digital Album chart. The album provided many firsts for the band including their first Platinum single “Shattered,” which in 2009 was the #6 best-selling Rock Song at iTunes and earned them an ASCAP Award as one of the Most Performed Pop Songs of the Year.  “All Sides” sales reached close to two million, and they received the honor of being on Performing Songwriter's list of the 100 Most Influential Independent Artists of the Past 15 Years.  

The Wailers, the premier Jamaican reggae band in the world, opens.  Together with Bob Marley, the Wailers have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide. In England alone, they’ve notched up 20 chart hits, including seven Top 10 entries.  Outside of their groundbreaking work with Marley, the Wailers have also played or performed with international acts like Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, and Alpha Blondy, as well as reggae legends such as Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Burning Spear

Tickets for Friday are $15 advance, $20 day of show.

Cheap Trick, headlines in a matinee performance beginning at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 1.  The band was named by Rolling Stone Magazine in April as one of “The 25 Best Things in Rock Right Now.”   Since the 70s they’ve been blending elements of pop, punk and metal in an instantly catchy and recognizable way.  With timeless classics such as “I Want You to Want Me,” “Surrender,” and “The Flame,” Cheap Trick are a musical institution. Anyone familiar with Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report knows Cheap Trick wrote and performed the theme song.  Cheap Trick has given more than 5,000 performances, sold more than 20 million records, had 29 movie soundtracks and 40 gold and platinum records.

The opening bands are Soul Asylum and Southern Culture on The Skids.

Tickets for Saturday are $15 advance, $20 day of show.

Train headlines the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half-Marathon concert beginning at 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2.  Train is Pat Monahan (vocals), Jimmy Stafford (guitar) and Scott Underwood (drums).  "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" was the band’s first international hit and won two Grammy Awards in 2002.  The album was certified double platinum.  “My Private Nation” continued the band's success, and was certified platinum with the hit "Calling All Angels."  “Save Me San Francisco” produced three singles— the RIAA 5x Platinum international hit "Hey, Soul Sister," "If It's Love" and "Marry Me" reached #3, #34, and #34 respectively.  The album itself has been certified Gold.  “Hey Soul Sister” was the #1 most downloaded song of 2010, and earned another Grammy Award.  Train recently released its sixth CD, “California 37,” which is rapidly rising on the charts.  The first single “Drive By” reached #11 on Billboard.

The opening band will be announced soon.

Tickets for Sunday are $25 advance, $30 day of show.

For the third year, 300 VIP Experience tickets will be available to the general public for Friday and Saturday Main Stage concerts.  Sunday’s concert is not included in the offer.

“The limited VIP passes are the true music fans’ ideal way to see a concert,” says Bobby Melatti, director of Beach Events that produces the Festival.  “These passes provide concert viewing in an exclusive area directly in front of the stage on Friday and Saturday.  VIP holders also enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, VIP-only port-a-johns, two free beers or wine, and one ticket to both Friday and Saturday concerts, for just $125 per person.”

VIP Experience tickets are available only through Ticketmaster.

Headliners on the 5th Street Main Stage are world-class artists who collectively have sold almost 300 million records and will appeal to music lovers of all types.

Friday, Aug. 31 – O.A.R, with special opening band The Wailers.  Tickets are $15 advance, $20 day of show.

Saturday, Sept. 1 – Cheap trick, with opening bands Soul Asylum and Southern Culture on the Skids.  Tickets are $15 advance, $20 day of show.

Sunday, Sept. 2 – Train, with opening band to be announced, presented by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half-Marathon.  Tickets are $25 advance, $30 day of show.

Tickets, Passport Pins, and VIP Experience Passes go onsale at 10 a.m., Friday, May 25 through all Ticketmaster outlets, including online (www.ticketmaster.com) or by phone at 800.745.3000.  Children younger than 12 are free with a paid adult, not including the VIP Experience offer.

A Passport Pin, at $35, provides admission to all three Main Stage concerts.  Passport Pins are discounted at half-price through Ticketmaster and the Virginia Beach Visitor Center from May 25 through July 4.

“The Verizon Wireless American Music Festival features 20 national recording bands who will perform free on 17th Street, 24th Street, and 31st Street stages,” says Mike Hilton, director of marketing for Beach Events.  

“In the next few weeks, all other bands will be announced.  Already confirmed on the free stages for this year are Stanley Clarke/George Duke, The ZAPP Band, Family Stone, .38 Special, and The Coasters/Platters/Marvelettes.  Clearly AMF this year will have music for almost every preference of style,” Hilton adds.
 
The 19th Annual Verizon Wireless American Music Festival is sponsored by Verizon Wireless and City of Virginia Beach.

Friday, Aug. 31
5th Street Main Stage $15 advance/$20 day of show
O.A.R.
(9:15-10:45 p.m.)
The Wailers
(7:30-8:45 p.m.)
Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 1
5th Street Main Stage $15 advance/$20 day of show
Cheap Trick
4:30-6 p.m.
Soul Asylum
3-4 p.m.
Southern Culture on the Skids
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Doors Open: 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 2
5th Street Main Stage, presented by Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half-Marathon, $25 advance/$30 day of show
Train
9-10:30 p.m.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Virginia Beach Half-Marathon Awards
8-9 p.m.
To be announced
7-8 p.m.
Doors Open: 6 p.m.

The 19th Verizon Wireless American Music Festival is produced by Integrated Management Group.  For additional and current information, go online to www.BeachStreetUSA.com.