Fall and Holiday Concerts Return at Gas South Arena

It was back on August 17 that Gwinnett had its long-awaited 2021 return of live music for large audiences. Then for the first time since March 2020, I attended with friends a full-house concert—there were more than 13,000 fans, starved for big-time entertainment. For about 18 months, the COVID pandemic had shut down concert venues nationwide. Our live music indoor quarantine was first lifted at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 30097, only minutes from Peachtree Corners. Masks were recommended by management but not required. The tunes took place in an older, familiar building that has assumed a brand new name.

James Taylor & Jackson Browne inaugurated the Gas South Arena

The newly named Gas South Arena, the scene of this happiness, was formerly known as the Infinite Energy Arena. A bit of a curve ball, new corporate sponsorship. (Gas South is based in the ATL, serving more than 425,000 natural gas customers from all sectors throughout much of the southeast, also NJ and Ohio.) The building name change had been legally complete. However, all of the Infinite Energy Arena signs were to be removed from the Gas South Arena District campus.

In the inaugural Gas South concert James Taylor, 73, and Jackson Browne, 74, lived up to their reputations as enduring 1970s-80s music hits icons. Because they both were backed by an All-Star band, they also offered long, bluesy jams. Their songs, separate and together, were terrific.

The newly named Gas South Arena can hardly be called a startup operation. But the pandemic’s interruption has been so long, it made fans and performers appreciate a wonderful new re-start. In September there were scheduled two big shows, led by country music star Blake Shelton and also legendary British guitarist and blues & rock singer Eric Clapton. As we move into October this fall, Gas South Arena is set to hit stride during the winter holidays.

Except for new signage at Gas South Arena, the popular building is seemingly the same—fans and performers have long appreciated the charming former Infinite Energy Center arena. It’s comfortable without the nosebleed seats of stadium arenas and it attracts top acts. Easy outdoor parking is in an adjacent lot. Convenient location in Gwinnett off I-85 with a surprisingly intimate concert hall for 13,500 makes the scene fan-friendly.

Under the old Infinite Energy Arena brand the venue has long represented the ATL on major popular music tours. Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, for example, gave a memorable performance there in 2017. The building is energized with its new name. All systems are go for the concert season at Gas South Arena.

Fall and Holiday 2021 Concerts at Gas South Arena

Following is a schedule of the impressive, eclectic array of musical events scheduled this fall from October-December, going into Christmastime:

Oct. 8:  Mexican music star Pepe Aguilar.

Oct. 10: Contemporary Christian band MercyMe.

Oct. 30: Dominican recording artist El Alfa.

Nov. 6: Cumbia (Latin traditional rhythm folk singers) Los Angeles Azules.

Nov. 13: Mexican singer and 3-time Latin Grammy winner Christian Nodal.

Dec. 2.  Two female-fronted rock groups joining forces, Evanescence & Halestorm.

Dec. 3. Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Farruko.

Dec. 12 (afternoon and evening performances) Heavy metal rock symphonic Trans-Siberian Orchestra plays a classic winter holiday show and also their new program, Christmas Eve and other stories. They rocked the old Infinite Energy Arena in 2019 but of course took last year off for the pandemic. This group is so popular and associated with Christmas so much that it employs equally accomplished East and West Coast ensembles when they tour, always in December. They routinely offer 2 shows per concert date. So if you want some great musical entertainment, then visit the Gas South District site for more info. Schedule can be subject to change.