Open since 2015, the Amp at Craig Ranch Regional Park has been serving the neighboring North Las Vegas community forsome time. In recent months, however, its open-air concerts have become destination events for folks in all parts of the Valley.
The action has really picked up at the seven-acre outdoor amphitheater, with acts like Phoebe Bridgers, Lord Huron, Ben Harper and George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic on the upcoming calendar.
JABM Enterprises, a Black-owned live entertainment company based in North Las Vegas, handles some of the biggest bookings for the 6,800-capacity venue, working closely with the City of North Las Vegas to keep the multicultural concerts coming.
“I’m working with top agents, the best of the best, and they’re selling me the best of the best,” says Megan Jacobs Araujo, talent buyer for JABM. “We’re aggressively going after it, so that we have a little taste of everything,”
That includes the red-hot Bridgers, who recently played both weekends at Coachella. “Phoebe is incredible,” Araujo says. “She sold out two nights at the Greek Theater in LA, so [we thought], what can we do in Vegas with this show? Let’s go for the gold and make it happen.”
The Amp’s programming has grown more impressive over time. This year, it started strong with performances by famed hip-hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Strip-level DJ Said the Sky. Last year, it hosted Cypress Hill, Atmosphere and even Erykah Badu—who made quite an impression on Araujo, who has spent 20 years in the booking business.
“I don’t get starstruck often, but I was completely humbled to work with her,” Araujo says. “She looked me straight in the eyes after the show and said, ‘Can I please come back and play here again with you?’ I was like, ‘100%.’ That was a moment that’ll go down in my rock ’n’ roll history.”
And of course, songs like “Appletree” and “Tyrone” hit differently when you’re out under the stars, surrounded by acres of lush park land.
“Whoever put it together did a great job. They really thought of the concertgoers,” says Steve Manley, the Amp’s general manager. “There’s really not a bad seat anywhere. You could go sit at the top of the hill on the grass, and you’re still sitting right in front of the stage. That’s a big difference.”
For some locals, the drive to North Las Vegas might seem far, but Araujo, a Los Angeleno, puts it into perspective. “It’s a 30-minute jaunt to a venue that’s going to give you a whole experience,” she says. “You can come down for the whole day and the whole night. It’s not just dropping in for a set.”
Manley, who has helped the city secure a stop on the I Love the ’90s Tour featuring Vanilla Ice, Color Me Badd and Coolio (May 20 and a co-headlining date with Ashanti and Ja Rule (August 25),describes the Amp as “truly for the community” and says the city is focused on creating Valleywide buzz by bringing in recognizable names. The right act should draw folks from Henderson, he adds.
JABM’s already-diverse programming will soon incorporate more rock, reggae and comedy, Araujo says. “We’re going after the A-list, and we’re gonna keep fighting for it. We want to bring all walks of life under that big, open sky.”
Coming to The Amp
Phoebe Bridgers May 13
Lord Huron May 17
I Love the ’90s Tour May 20
Tumua Tuinei May 21
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals May 26
George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic August 13
Ashanti & Ja Rule August 25
Lost ’80s Live! August 26
Gipsy Kings ft. Nicolas Reyes September 2
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