What You Need to Know About the Amazing Concerts at the American Express Golf Tournament

traceytlc

24 Jan, 2023

What You Need to Know About the Amazing Concerts at the American Express Golf Tournament

Gwen Stefani on stage with dancers at the American Express Concert on Friday Night
Gwen Stefani performs on Friday night at the American Express Golf Tournament.

Did you know the first concert the American Express Golf Tournament hosted at PGA West was six years ago? A year before the official concert series began, Fitz and the Tantrums took to the stage on a cold and drizzly evening in 2017. I was there along with maybe 1,000 other people bopping along to HandClap and other hits from the band. While the crowd was sparse, the enthusiasm was high. Who would of thought it would turn into the event it is today.

Myself and a friend posing together with sunglasses on at the 2017 American Express Golf Tournament.
A selfie of myself and a friend at the 2017 American Express Golf Tournament.

What Bands Have Played at the American Express Golf Tournament?

A wide variety of acts have graced the stage on the driving range over the last six years:

  • Huey Lewis & The Goo Goo Dolls ~ 2018
  • Sammy Hagar & Bad Company ~ 2019
  • Stevie Nicks & Luke Bryan ~ 2020
  • Maroon 5 & Brad Paisley ~ 2022
  • Gwen Stefani & Darius Rucker ~ 2023

There were no performances in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. I am happy to say I have attended every year and really enjoyed the shows. Of course, not everything has gone off without a hitch.

Shuttle buses lined up under a shining sun and blue sky at PGA West.
Shuttles take attendees to the entrance of the Stadium Course at PGA West.

The Shuttle Disaster of 2020 at the American Express Golf Tournament

Before Steve Nicks and Luke Brian, average attendance at the concerts was around 10,000 people. But in 2020, the numbers exploded. With a legend like Stevie and the first country concert of the series with Luke, the number of attendees doubled to over 20,000 each night. The tournament was not prepared.

As in past years, general admission parking for the event was on the corner of Jefferson and Avenue 54 with shuttles taking you the three miles or so to the entrance of the Stadium Course at PGA West. I attended both the Goo Goo Dolls and Bad Company and had no issue getting on a shuttle and heading back to my car. But in 2020, it was a different story. The street leading into PGA West became a parking lot with both shuttles and cars sharing the road. I waited over 2 1/2 hours just to board the shuttle. Once to my car, getting out of the parking lot was a second nightmare with cars backed up at the exits.

How About This Year?

I am happy to report that while not perfect, the parking and shuttle experience has greatly improved since 2020. First, it’s shuttles only on Jefferson past Avenue 54 with all other vehicles being diverted to an entrance off of Madison street. Exiting the parking lot is one-way only. While somewhat longer to your destination, it keeps traffic moving and stops a bottleneck situation from occurring.

What still needs some work? Boarding the shuttles after the concert. Plenty of shuttles lined the street, but they were only loading the first one in the line. Without signage and direction from volunteers, the large crowd of people did not move. After about 20 minutes of this nonsense, a woman appeared (the person in charge maybe?) and barriers opened so multiple busses could be filled at once. I immediately hopped on a bus. From that point, it was 10 minutes to my car and less than 10 minutes to exit the parking lot.

A close up shot up the stage used for the concerts at the American Express Golf Tournament.
A view of the stage from the VIP section.

VIP vs. General Admission Sections

Starting in 2022, the tournament offered a VIP section for viewing the concert. Before this, it was first come, first serve. Is VIP worth it? I think so, especially if you are a big fan of the performer. Watching Maroon 5 from the general admission section, Adam Levine looked tiny and the sound was not the best. This year, I purchased a concert upgrade for $80. This allowed me VIP access where I could be up close and personal to the stage plus complimentary beverages and snacks. I enjoyed a glass of wine (or two) and a pack of Oreos.

If you are more into hanging out with your friends on a starry night with the music in the background, then general admission will more than suffice.

Backs of people in line to enter the concert.
Not sure why we had to line up to enter the concert.

Any Other Hiccups?

My memory may be failing me, but I do not remember having to stand in a line to enter the concert area previously. This year, all attendees were required to go though a metal detector and have their ticket rescanned. As your golf pass is your ticket to the concert, this does not make sense. I asked several people with AXS badges what the purpose of this was, and no one could tell me. Even stranger is that before 3:30pm, you could walk around the concert area without a problem. While the line did move, it took about a half hour to get through which was just frustrating. Hopefully, this annoyance will disappear next year.

Gwen Stefani and her dancers performing on stage at PGA West
Gwen Stefani put on a spectacular show.

Would I Attend Again?

The answer is yes. The acts never disappoint, it’s fun to watch the golf beforehand and there is something magical about the nighttime desert sky. I am not sure I could handle two nights of concerts in a row (I have never tried it), but I am all in for at least one!

Looking for more concert venues in the desert? Click here to read all about the new Acrisure Arena.