Skip to content
Donate Now! Merchandise

Stop 11 of 12

Ascend Amphitheater

The Ascend Amphitheater opened in 2015—which makes it one of downtown Nashville's newest venues. The first concert was by country superstar Eric Church in July 2015. Big names and bands have performed at this open-air venue ever since. It sits on the site that was once occupied by a thermal plant that burned garbage to provide electrical power. That plant was demolished and the site became an empty space until the Ascend Amphitheater was built.

The amphitheater is an environmentally-conscious venue and park that features geothermal heating and cooling, green roofs, solar power, and rainwater collection. The amphitheater combines the city’s reputation for music with a push for more sustainability. The open-air venue seats 6,800 with an option for fixed or lawn seating. Although this venue is relatively new it has already won major awards as a prominent and premier place for concerts.

Now, hang another right at Demonbreun Street and walk back towards the city, away from the Cumberland River. After you have had an invigorating and healthy walk for three blocks you’ll see the Music City Walk of Fame at the corner of Fourth Avenue South and Demonbreun.

Tour Stops
Full Record & Citation
Title Ascend Amphitheater
Creator Nashville Historical Foundation
Author Claire Sandberg, Belmont Student; April 2019
Date 2015
Address 301 First Avenue South Nashville, TN 37023
Description Designed by Smith Gee Studio with help from Hodgetts + Fung, Ascend Amphitheater is one of downtown Nashville's newest venues. The site has been transformed from a thermal plant that burned garbage to an amphitheater and park. The open-air venue seats 6,800, with 2,300 fixed seats and 4,500 seats on the lawn. The venue features environmentally sustainable elements such as geothermal heating and cooling, green roofs, solar power, and rainwater collection.
Type Building
Coverage Area 1
Source Smith Gee Studio, architecture firm; Hodgetts + Fung, architecture firm
Contributor Live Nation; Ascend Federal Credit Union; Journeys; Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Department
Subject Architecture; Downtown; Entertainment; Events; Music; New Nashville; Public Parks
Keywords Amphitheater, Buildings, Live Music, Metro Parks, Riverfront, Event Venues, Ascend Amphitheater
Rights CC BY-NC 4.0
Playback speed 1x
0:000:00