Chicago isn't the only city in Illinois that hosts great concerts and live events.

Secondary Illinois City Rising Through The Ranks For Ticket Sales

The Midwest, especially Illinois has been a hub for concerts and live events. There are venues throughout our state that host some of the biggest names in entertainment. Of course, Chicago is a big part of that but other cities are stepping up to the plate too.

READ MORE: Majority Of Illinois Music Fans Are Embracing The Vinyl Revolution

Back in the day, when bands were touring, they would stop at any and every city available. On the same run, they would hit Chicago, Rockford, Springfield, Champaign, and more. Nowadays, there are radius clauses that prevent that. If an artist plays in Chicago, they rarely play anywhere else in the state.

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During that era, places like the Rockford Metrocentre and Peoria Civic Center hosted many great shows. Unfortunately, over the last few years, it's been difficult for those secondary markets to book acts. The prices have also skyrocketed.

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Recently, the Peoria Civic Center has upped its game. The building is bringing in some top entertainment. Besides that, the fans in that area are buying up the tickets too. That's a big part of doing shows. If the shows don't sell, the bands won't come.

The hard work has paid off for the state at the Peoria Civic Center. In rankings just released by the live entertainment industry, they have broken the top 100 in a few categories.

Central Illinois Proud

  • Top 100 in U.S. for arena and theater ticket sales at 120,000.
  • Arena # 67 for mid-year ticket sales at 79,707.
  • Arena # 78 in gross sales at $5 million.
  • Theater # 93 in mid-year ticket sales at 38,291.
  • Theater # 95 in gross sales at $2.1 million.

Construction Photos And More Of Rockford MetroCentre / BMO Harris Bank Center

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