The Farmer Music Center Unveils New Visuals, Fan Experience and Economic Impact Details

Cincinnati’s Next Iconic Music Venue: The Farmer Music Center Unveils New Visuals, Fan Experience and Economic Impact Details

Above: One of many new renderings unveiled today for The Farmer Music Center in Cincinnati. Click HERE for Media Assets.

CINCINNATI, OH (January 21, 2026)—The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Music & Event Management, Inc. (MEMI) today unveiled exciting new updates including visuals, fan experience details and economic impact information for The Farmer Music Center, the highly anticipated, state-of-the-art music and entertainment venue set to open in Spring 2027 along Cincinnati’s Ohio Riverfront.

Located on the Ohio River off Interstate 275 and adjacent to Riverbend Music Center, The Farmer Music Center will continue the area’s long-standing tradition of delivering world-class live entertainment. Newly released renderings give music fans their clearest look so far at what’s to come, highlighting the venue’s bold vertical design. In addition, the organizations introduced The Farmer Music Center’s official logos, launched a new website, and activated social media channels, marking a major milestone as construction continues to move forward.

Over the coming year, fans will be able to follow along as the venue comes together, with regular updates, behind-the-scenes photos, and progress highlights shared through the website and across social platforms.

NEWLY UNVEILED VISUALS

• Updated venue renderings: HERE
• Official venue logos: HERE
• Visit the new website: FarmerMusicCenter.com
• Follow The Farmer Music Center:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X

ELEVATED FAN EXPERIENCE

A new era for live music in Cincinnati is taking shape. As The Farmer Music Center comes into view, it’s clear this isn’t just another venue—it’s a thoughtful reimagining of what a great concert night should be. Designed from the start with fans and artists at the center, the state-of-the-art amphitheater is built to change how audiences see, hear, and truly connect with live music.

The venue’s innovative vertical design creates better sightlines, cleaner sound, and a layout that feels intuitive and welcoming. No matter where you’re standing or sitting, the goal is the same: bring fans closer to the stage and closer to the moment. It’s a balance of scale and intimacy that works just as well for artists as it does for the people in the crowd.

The Farmer Music Center will welcome up to 20,000 guests, offering 8,000 reserved seats along with a 12,000-capacity general admission synthetic lawn. From covered seating to open-air views, fans will have options that fit how they like to enjoy a show.

More than 300,000 square feet of concourse and club space will give guests room to gather, grab a drink, and soak in the atmosphere before the lights go down—and long after the music starts. Throughout the venue, elevated food and beverage options will be easy to find, with 25 full-service bars and concession stands spread across three levels, plus multiple grab-and-go kiosks designed to keep lines moving.

Fans looking to take their night up a notch will find four distinct premium club spaces and two levels of box suites, offering added comfort and exclusive amenities. Whether it’s all summer long or a night out, these spaces are built with the ultimate premium experience in mind.

Built for today’s music fans and with an eye toward what’s next, The Farmer Music Center is set to become one of Cincinnati’s premier destinations for live entertainment—where smart design, great amenities, and unforgettable performances come together.

“This is a meaningful step forward for the project and for the future of live music in Southwest Ohio,” said CSO President & CEO Robert McGrath. “These updates give the community its clearest view yet of what will be the most innovative venue design in the region, one built to put artists and audiences at the center of every performance, while strengthening our ongoing commitment to the region’s cultural and economic vitality.”

The Farmer Music Center is named in recognition of a transformative $60 million gift from the Farmer Family Foundation, marking one of the most significant philanthropic investments in the arts in Cincinnati’s history.

Above: The Farmer Music Center is raising the bar for live music experiences.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

The Farmer Music Center will serve as a powerful new economic engine for Cincinnati and the region, delivering meaningful and measurable impact from day one. The state-of-the-art venue is projected to generate more than $100 million in annual economic impact, while contributing an estimated $7 million in state tax revenue and $15 million in new city tax revenue over the next 10 years. With a 30% increase in total live events,and an anticipated 150,000 additional attendees each year, the venue will significantly elevate the region’s footprint as a premier entertainment destination—driving tourism, supporting local businesses, and creating long-term economic growth for the Southwest Ohio region.

Additionally, the CSO and MEMI operate under a unique funding model – one of the most innovative in the industry – that directly supports the CSO’s position as a vibrant, top-tier American orchestra. All net revenues from MEMI are reinvested into the Cincinnati community through the Orchestra’s expansive education programs, neighborhood concerts and diverse orchestral programming.

“A venue like this does more than bring great music to Cincinnati—it creates real momentum for the city,” said Mike Smith, CEO of MEMI. “From hotel stays and restaurant traffic to seasonal jobs, the economic ripple effect reaches far beyond the gates.”

A press conference with additional project details will be scheduled later this year, with more information to be shared at that time.

ABOUT CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

With a legacy dating back 130 years, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is considered one of America’s finest and most versatile ensembles. In the 2025–26 season, Cristian Macelaru joins the Orchestra as its 14th Music Director, after serving as Music Director Designate in the 2024–25 season. The Orchestra also performs as the Cincinnati Pops currently led by John Morris Russell.

The CSO is committed to its vision to be the most relevant orchestra in America, realized through a focus on serving the entire community and continually innovating ways in which the Orchestra presents music. Annually, the CSO produces over 180 free and low-cost community events and activities, reaching more than 970,000 people in the greater Cincinnati community. The CSO is also dedicated to expanding access to music education through youth orchestras, Musicians in Schools and one of the United States’ longest-running Young People’s Concerts series, launched over 100 years ago.

The CSO plays a central role in Cincinnati’s vibrant arts scene by serving as the official orchestra for the Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Ballet and providing administrative services support for numerous nonprofits in Cincinnati and across the country, contributing significantly to Cincinnati’s $1.6 billion arts and culture economy. cincinnatisymphony.org.

ABOUT MUSIC & EVENT MANAGEMENT, INC.

Music & Event Management, Inc. (MEMI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and a leading promoter of live entertainment. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, MEMI has earned national recognition for its innovative approach to creating, booking, producing, and marketing exceptional live events.

MEMI owns and operates several of Ohio’s premier music venues, including The Andrew J Brady Music Center®, The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, Riverbend Music Center, PNC Pavilion, Stuart & Mimi Rose Music Center at The Heights, The Taft Theatre, and The Ballroom at The Taft and produces signature concert series and cultural events such as the Longworth Anderson Series at Memorial Hall and Cincy Cinco. For more information, visit MEMI.biz.

# # #