Arts & Entertainment

Wellmont Promises 'More Good Music Soon'

Current renovations are just one indication Live Nation plans a long-term commitment to entertainment in Essex County.

By: Teresa Akersten 

“More Good Music Soon” reads the marquis at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair this week.

The theater recently switched bookers, from The Bowery Presents to Live Nation, and the new guys plan to make improvements before welcoming back acts.

Sean Striegel, Live Nation vice president of booking for New Jersey and New York, said, “We’re working really hard with the owners of the building to try and really enhance the experience of the Wellmont.”

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Crews of workers could be seen coming in and out of the Seymour Street venue Thursday.

Live Nation is sprucing up the interior of the 1922 theater, which operated as a movie house for decades until it was completely refurbished and reopened as a live concert space in 2008.

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Concertgoers will also experience new state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.

“The building is just being given the love and attention that it really deserves,” Striegel said. “I think people are going to walk in and notice the changes.”

A line-up has yet to be announced, but Striegel promised it won’t be long now and performances should resume in the fall.

"In a short amount of time you are going to see a nice announcement of some pretty amazing shows coming to the Wellmont,” he said, adding that there will be acts for every taste.

“Our thought is not to come in and change what the Wellmont has established itself on, it’s to add to that.”

The current renovations are just one indication Live Nation intends to have a long-term commitment with the Wellmont. They also want to be good neighbors. 

Striegel has been meeting with restaurant and business owners, as well as community organizations.

“I want to be, and we want to be, a part of the community of Montclair,” he said.

A new website is coming soon. Meanwhile, fans should follow The Wellmont on Facebook and Instagram

Live Nation produces 22,000 performances a year for some 2,300 artists worldwide.

The MGMT show on June 20 was the last act booked by The Bowery Presents.


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