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The band ‘American Idiots’ performs during the ‘Come Together’ benefit concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Fans watch the benefit concert from outside of their vehicles in the parking lot of Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. on Thursday.
Drummer Thomas Twiss, of Clarks Summit, peforms with the band Esta Coda during the ‘Come Together’ benefit concert outside of the Mohegan Sun Arena Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Crystal Malstrom, of Nanticoke, sits on a cooler outside her vehicle while watching the concert Thursday in Wilkes-Barre Twp.
James Barrett, of Clarks Summit, peforms with his band at the ‘Come Together’ benefit concert outside of the Mohegan Sun Arean in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Jennifer Reno, of Harveys Lake, waits for the benefit concert to start in the parking lot of Mohegan Sun Arena Thursday, July 16, 2020.
The band ‘American Idiots’ performs during the ‘Come Together’ benefit concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Fans watch the benefit concert in the parking lot of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Joe Nardone, Jr. owner of Gallery of Sound, emcees the “Come Together” benefit concert outside of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Guitarist Dan Rosler, of Moosic, sings during a performance by his band Esta Coda outside of the Mohegan Sun Arena for its benefit concert ‘Come Together’ Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Fans applaud during Thursday’s benefit concert outside Mohegan Sun Arena.
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Live music returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena — albeit outside — on Thursday for an evening-long parking lot concert featuring 13 local bands to raise money for the local arts community.
“It’s like a modern day telethon,” promoter Joe Nardone Jr., owner of the Gallery of Sound, said from the giant stage outside the arena’s box office.
The stage will continue to be used the next few days with another concert tonight featuring Queen and Elton John tribute bands, followed by a performance Saturday by comedian Jim Gaffigan.
Carloads of people on Thursday drove into spots in the area’s parking lot and were allowed to tailgate during the show, the kickoff of the three-day “NEPA Live from the Lot” event series.
“This is proof of an idea. Is this feasible? Can we run concerts all summer long? Meaning the arena or me as an outside promoter,” Nardone said.
He thinks it could work.
“You have a stage here as big as any, any festival you’ve ever gone to,” Nardone said.
Steve Poremba, director of sales and marketing for the arena, said the three-day outdoor event series was a “test run” for possible future events.
“For right now, if this is the way live entertainment has to be, then it’s a good opportunity. We’re testing the waters,” Poremba said. “These bands have been starving to play for months.”
The bands will always have the bragging rights that they played a gig at a major venue like the Mohegan Sun Arena, he said.
“That’s good for the resume. That’s a big deal,” Poremba said.
The bands performing on Thursday ranged from a group of teenagers, the American Idiots, to Lifer, a former national recording act from Northeast Pennsylvania.
Proceeds will be donated to regional organizations negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, including some performing arts venues.
“Everybody is helping everybody today,” Nardone said.
Jennifer Reno, of Harveys Lake, had a space close to the stage, saying she bought a ticket to support local bands and local businesses. She said she thought watching musicians in person was better than some of the virtual concerts that have been held in recent months.
“There’s a different energy with live music,” Reno said.
For more information or to buy tickets for tonight’s tribute concerts or Saturday’s comedy performance by Jim Gaffigan, go to mohegansunarenapa.com/drivein/ or Ticketmaster.com.