The Andrew J. Brady Music Center sits on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, giving concertgoers a skyline backdrop unlike almost any other venue in the Midwest. Opened on July 22, 2021 in The Banks neighborhood, it pairs an 8,000-capacity outdoor stage with a 4,500-seat indoor theater under one roof, letting the same complex host anything from an intimate acoustic set to a full summer festival lineup.
The venue is named for Andrew J. Brady (1915-2004), a longtime Cincinnati music educator who taught generations of students at Rothenberg Elementary and led the music program at Western Hills High School for more than three decades. It was built and is operated by Music and Event Management, Inc. (MEMI), the nonprofit concert arm of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, at a construction cost of roughly $27 million.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 25 Race Street, Cincinnati, Ohio (The Banks)
- Type: Outdoor amphitheater with indoor theater
- Opened: July 22, 2021
- Capacity: 8,000 outdoor / 4,500 indoor
- Operator: Music and Event Management, Inc. (MEMI)
- Famous for: Riverfront skyline views and hosting Foo Fighters’ first headline show there
A Riverfront Stage Built for Every Show Size
What sets the Brady Music Center apart is its dual layout: an open-air outdoor stage facing the Ohio River for big-ticket tours and festivals, plus a fully enclosed indoor theater for club-style shows and events that need weather protection. Kem christened the indoor stage on opening night, and Foo Fighters followed days later as the first act to headline the outdoor amphitheater, on July 28, 2021.
The venue briefly carried the name “Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center” before MEMI dropped “ICON” from the branding in December 2021, settling on the name it carries today.
More Than a Concert Hall
Beyond touring music acts, the Brady Music Center has become a multi-use event space for the region, hosting professional wrestling cards including AEW’s Maximum Carnage and a WWE NXT taping. Its location in The Banks puts it within walking distance of Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium, making it a natural stop for visitors combining a game day with a show.
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Andrew J. Brady Music Center FAQs
When did the Andrew J. Brady Music Center open?
It opened on July 22, 2021, with Kem performing the first indoor show; Foo Fighters headlined the outdoor stage’s debut show six days later.
What is the capacity of the Andrew J. Brady Music Center?
The outdoor amphitheater holds about 8,000 people, while the indoor theater holds about 4,500.
Who is the venue named after?
It’s named for Andrew J. Brady (1915-2004), a Cincinnati music educator who taught at Rothenberg Elementary and directed the music program at Western Hills High School.
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Photo: Matth213 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.