Summer Concerts Will Bring Major Boost To Baltimore Economy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Music to a city's ears. Summer concerts bring a lot of excitement but they also bring a big boost to local economies.
Marcus Washington has more on how important these concerts are to a city.
Still on a musical high from Monday night, Erin, Kaylin and Mikayla are still shaking it off to the excitement after seeing Taylor Swift live in DC.
"I've seen three of her world tours in DC so that's phenomenal. I really can't put that experience into words. It's different every time," said Erin Woodard.
This time, she went with her sister, cousin, mom and aunt.
"I feel like my heart was filled up. I just wanted to scream," said Kaylin Bending.
"You can't believe you're breathing the same air as her and I realized, `That's her, the person I'm obsessed with,'" said Mikayla Woodard.
The summer concert fun isn't just in DC. Two legendary rock bands will perform at Royal Farms Arena. On July 20, you have the Eagles and on August 25, Motley Crue.
"That leads to more tax dollars coming into the city and state. It might attract new residents to Baltimore City after they come here and see how great it is so it's really important to understand how significant these types of events are," said Kirby Fowler, Downtown Partnership.
When fans attend these concerts, it's rarely an in and out experience. There is often a lot of money spent on food, pre- or post-concert activities, hotels if you live a distance away and buying merchandise.
Just ask a parent.
"Parking was $40, each t-shirt was $35 to $40, food was basically stadium prices, so you do spend a lot of money. You spend several hundred dollars, not counting the tickets," said Kathy Woodward.
"Having performers come into the city, it just builds upon each other and it's a catalyst for more growth in the city. It just creates this buzz that is what this city really needs," said Fowler.
Growth fans and the city will enjoy just as much as Taylor's fans did.
Tickets are still available for July's Billy Joel concert.
