Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks open history-making run of concerts at Ohio Stadium: What to know

When Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks take the stage at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, the prolific pop pair will usher in a history-making occurrence in the venue's century-long existence.

With 80-plus Top 40 hits between them (including Nicks' work with Fleetwood Mac), the world-renowned Rock & Roll Hall of Famers join metal masters Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, and country star Morgan Wallen for an unprecedented run of four concerts in a week at the stadium affectionately nicknamed "the 'Shoe."

"(This is the) first time in the 101-year history of the 'Shoe that this many shows have been hosted back-to-back-to-back," said Dave Redelberger, director of communications and interactive marketing for Columbus Arena Sports & Entertainment. "This is one of the most anticipated runs we've had. Starting Saturday, we're kind of jumping on the rollercoaster."

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Along with Buckeye Country Superfest, which brought a record-setting 63,500 fans to the 'Shoe in May, the impressive number of big-name shows this year are indicative of a strong return to concertgoing after the pandemic, Redelberger said.

"When you look back at the history of the stadium over the years, it's amazing that we live in a city that has a building with such historical significance.

"In the early '90s, we started doing a lot of concerts — including Genesis (1992), Pink Floyd (1994), Billy Joel with Elton John (1994) — then there was a period when there weren’t any shows at the stadium until the Rolling Stones in 2015. For a long time, we were lucky to get one, two, or three shows per year," he said.

Unable to let such a "great community asset" lie fallow as a concert venue, Redelberger and his colleagues went to work with promoters across the country to lure big stadium acts back to Columbus. And with those big names come big bucks.

"By the time we're finished running the numbers for Morgan Wallen's two shows, these five shows (including Buckeye Country Superfest) will have an economic impact of more than $100 million," Redelberger said, ticking off a list of local businesses that will contribute to that sum, including bars, restaurants and hotels.

So, whether you're heading to the 'Shoe for a "Piano Man" sing-along or headbanging with the Crüe, you'll be boosting the local economy while having fun. Before you go, here are some tips to make your good time even better, as well as some interesting tidbits about how big concerts come to fruition at Ohio Stadium.

Photo flashback: The Rolling Stones at Ohio Stadium in 2015

When are the concerts taking place?

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will perform at 7 p.m. — sharp — on Saturday. Doors open at 5 p.m.

"The World Tour" double bill featuring Def Leppard, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, and Mötley Crüe will begin at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Wallen will bring his "One Night at a Time" world tour to Columbus on Aug. 11-12. Opening acts on Aug. 11 will be Riley Green and Ernest; on Aug. 12, HARDY, Ernest and Bailey Zimmerman will open. Both shows start at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m.

Ohio Stadium is located at 411 Woody Hayes Drive.

Are tickets still available?

Tickets for all shows are going fast! While additional tickets may be available after the stages are built for each concert, your best bet is to make haste now.

Prices for Joel and Nicks' "Two Icons, One Stage" appearance start at $101. Tickets to see Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe start at $50.50. For Wallen, tickets for Aug. 11 begin at $174.25, and at $284.25 for Aug. 12.

There is an overall eight-ticket limit for the Joel/Nicks and Def Leppard/Mötley Crüe concerts, and a six-ticket limit for Wallen's performances. Tickets for all of the shows can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

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How can fans avoid getting scammed by fake ticket sellers?

When tickets to popular shows become scarce, some people turn to Google searches or fall prey to bogus social media posts offering deals, Redelberger said. "So often, that can lead to absolute heartbreak. I've been out there in the box office when (someone) comes in who bought tickets from a third party and got scammed.

"Always buy from official ticket sources — in this case, Ticketmaster. There might be resale tickets that are a little higher-priced, but you can guarantee they will get you through the door. It's not worth looking for some bargain that may or may not be there for you."

How will traffic be affected on concert days?

As on game days, normal OSU traffic coupled with rush-hour jams can make for snarls around the stadium before the concerts, so Redelberger recommends arriving as early as possible.

Drivers should anticipate heavy traffic for the afternoon commute in the campus area, especially along northbound 315 between Medical Center Drive and Ackerman Road, and southbound 315 between North Broadway and King Avenue/Kinnear Road.

Will there be any road closures?

As early as 1 p.m. on concert days, the following roadways will be restricted to event permits, emergency vehicles or Campus Area Bus Service routes only:

• Woody Hayes Drive from Kenny Road to College Road

• Cannon Drive/John Herrick Drive from Woody Hayes Drive to Neil Avenue

• Tuttle Park Place from Lane Avenue to Annie and John Glenn Avenue

What are the parking options?

Parking at Ohio Stadium is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and parking at surrounding lots will be $25 on concert days. Parking at the stadium will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Tuesday, and at noon on Aug. 11-12. Reminder: All transactions at the stadium and lots are cashless; only debit and credit cards will be accepted.

There also will be designated spots for those using Uber, Lyft, taxis or ridesharing: Drop-offs will be on Borror Drive, with pick-ups on Borror Drive, as well as 19th Avenue at Neil Avenue, east of the stadium.

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What items are allowed/prohibited in the stadium?

Bags are not permitted. Clutches, wallets, or wristlets (with or without a strap) are allowed as long as they are no larger than 5 inches x 8 inches x 1 inches. Those with bags for medical or childcare purposes must enter through the Steinbrenner Band Center entrance (between Gates 10 and 12) or at the press entrance (between Huntington Club and Gate 23).

Audio and video recording equipment are not allowed. Point-and-shoot cameras are permitted, but no zoom lenses, selfie sticks or iPads, please.

Also, there is no use of tobacco products, and outside alcohol may not be brought in. All visitors to Ohio Stadium are subject to inspection, and metal detectors will be in use. For a complete list of policies and guest services, go to schottensteincenter.com.

What goes into constructing elaborate stages in The Shoe?

The setup and teardown between each concert is a quick-change act made only slightly less hectic by some pieces remaining static, Redelberger explained.

"We started building the stage over a week ago. Big crews come in and work around the clock to build the stage. Some of the structures can be kept in place, like the flooring, and some basic pieces of the stage will remain, but every artist has their own setup, some more elaborate than others," he said.

"Our production team is challenged with moving out one show and moving in the next, which they're used to doing from hockey to basketball to rodeo to concerts, but on this scale, it's a challenge. We have some great local folks working with the teams on the tours."

With football season opening on Sept. 2, how will damage to the field be prevented?

With the Buckeyes' faceoff against the Indiana Hoosiers less than a month away, crews have already put down flooring to protect the field, which Redelberger described as "a special covering that goes in piece by piece by piece."

"Luckily, we've got some great precautions in place to keep everything safe. This is an amazing, historic venue with a great tradition ... just treat it like you're at a friend's house," he said.

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Any other tips for concertgoers?

Redelberger reminds concertgoers to plan ahead, stay hydrated, bring sunscreen if the weather calls for it, and "be nice to the guy next to you."

"When the lights go down and the performer is onstage singing your favorite song ... you're singing 'Piano Man' with 70,000 other people ... there's no more magical feeling," he said. "It's a really special place to be, and (fans) can help us keep concerts there for another 100 years."

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Four concerts in one week make history at Ohio Stadium