White River Amphitheatre is an outdoor concert venue located on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation, about 8 miles east of Auburn, Washington, and roughly 36 miles southeast of Seattle. Opened on June 14, 2003 with a performance by Heart, the venue was built at a cost of more than $30 million after nearly a decade of delays tied to environmental impact reviews and permitting from the Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State Department of Transportation.
Set on a 98-acre site, the amphitheater is owned by Muckleshoot Tribal Enterprises and has been operated by Live Nation, following earlier operation by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe alongside Clear Channel Entertainment and Bill Graham Presents. Its covered pavilion and open lawn seating have made it one of the Pacific Northwest’s primary stops for touring artists and summer festivals since the early 2000s.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Auburn, Washington (Muckleshoot Indian Reservation)
- Type: Outdoor amphitheater
- Opened: June 14, 2003
- Capacity: About 16,000 (reduced from 20,000 in 2015)
- Covered Seating: About 9,000 seats
- Site Size: 98 acres
- Owner: Muckleshoot Tribal Enterprises
- Famous For: Hosting Ozzfest, Farm Aid, Warped Tour, and KISW’s Pain in the Grass
A Long Road to Opening
Plans for the amphitheater took shape years before its 2003 debut, with construction delayed by extensive environmental impact assessments required for the site on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation. The Army Corps of Engineers approved construction in September 2002, and the Washington State Department of Transportation issued an access permit early the following year, clearing the way for the venue to finally open with a show by Heart in June 2003.
The finished amphitheater featured an acoustically treated metal roof over its pavilion seating and two large video screens, giving it a design built to handle the Pacific Northwest’s frequent rain while still delivering a full outdoor concert experience on its lawn.
A Home for Major Tours and Festivals
Since opening, White River Amphitheatre has hosted a rotating slate of major touring festivals, including Ozzfest, Farm Aid, and Vans Warped Tour, which stopped there annually from 2012 through 2016. It has also served as the longtime Seattle-area home of radio station KISW’s Pain in the Grass festival since 2010.
Jimmy Buffett recorded a live album from his September 16, 2003 performance at the venue, one of many notable shows that helped establish White River as a key concert destination for artists routing through the Seattle-Tacoma market.
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White River Amphitheatre FAQs
Where is White River Amphitheatre located?
It sits on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation about 8 miles east of Auburn, Washington, and about 36 miles southeast of Seattle.
How many people can White River Amphitheatre hold?
The venue currently holds about 16,000 people, including roughly 9,000 covered seats, after its capacity was reduced from 20,000 in 2015.
When did White River Amphitheatre open?
It opened on June 14, 2003, with a performance by the band Heart.
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