A brand new music venue opens on the Mississippi Coast. Here’s a look behind the scenes

The Mississippi Coast’s newest music venue is now a reality.

The Sound Amphitheater, an outdoor music venue bringing A-list artists to the Mississippi Coast, will have its inaugural show on Friday night in Gautier.

KC and The Sunshine Band, the venue’s first act, will perform to over 6,000 people, according to Nathan Baugh, owner and president of 46 Entertainment — a Nashville-based company that books and operates the venue in partnership with the city of Gautier.

“We’re just excited to be bringing something new and different to Gautier,” said Baugh about the venue’s opening. “This area was needing something new, especially for locals to not have to drive to New Orleans or Mobile to see shows.”

The disco and funk band is sure to play some of its many hits including “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s the Way,” “Shake Your Booty,” “I’m Your Boogie Man,” “Keep It Comin’ Love,” ”Boogie Shoes,” “Please Don’t Go” and “Give It Up.”

While most of the assigned seats for KC and The Sunshine Band are sold out, there are still general admission lawn tickets available for $20 through Ticketmaster. Guests are not permitted to bring in chairs for the lawn, but blankets are allowed.

Parking for the event will start being available at 3:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The venue will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and KC and The Sunshine Band will go on at 7 p.m.

What to know

The venue plans to take advantage of the neighboring parking lots at the former Singing River Mall for most of its parking. The Sound does have a 280-spot parking lot for VIP and ADA parking, but most guests will park in the mall’s parking lot and walk over to the venue, which is right off Dolphin Drive.

For Friday’s show, the mall parking is $10 and the VIP parking is $30. Parking can be purchased ahead of time at Ticketmaster or upon arrival.

Food and alcohol as well as merchandise will be available to purchase at the show. On Friday, local vendors RibCrib, Frios and Mann Kettle Corn will have food trucks set up in addition to fair-style funnel cake and hamburger stands.

According to Baugh, food vendors will likely change depending on the show, with more or less depending on the crowd size. Baugh said prices will be comparable to other venues with a 16 ounce beer going for around $11 and a meal between $15 and $18 – but expect to pay with a card as the venue is fully cashless.

The venue plans to have three booths serving alcohol, one at the front and two on the sides, and the venue has four permanent restroom buildings stationed at the four corners of the venue.

For most shows, 3 or 4 price tiers of seats will be available for purchase as well as a general admission lawn area, with the most expensive seats being near the stage. The venue uses plastic chairs, giving them flexibility for different seating arrangements based on the show. Some shows will have a general admission, standing room only, pit in the front rather than seating and box type seating for corporate events or large groups are also available.

Much like most venues, there are plenty of items that guests are prohibited from bringing. Lawn, chairs, umbrellas, weapons, outside food, coolers, containers, backpacks, purses, strollers, weapons, fireworks, horns and whistles, professional recording equipment, pepper spray, bug spray, iPads and tablets, GoPro cameras, drones and animals – except service dogs – are all prohibited.

Guests can bring in clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and blankets for the lawn. There’s no smoking or vaping except in designated areas.

Baugh does say that the first show won’t be without its bumps.

“I have the posture of staying positive. I don’t expect things to be perfect,” he said, but he says that they will correct any issues and make things right. There will also be a texting line available for questions, issues and feedback.

Upcoming shows

KC and The Sunshine Band is just one of many acts already booked for the new venue. The lineup includes Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, which will play the venue on April 19, Justin Moore on May 24, Dirty Heads and Slightly Stoopid on Aug 4, Lauren Daigle on Aug 16, Sam Hunt on September 6, Miranda Lambert on September 27, and Melissa Etheridge and Jewel on Sept. 28.

According to Baugh, more acts will be announced in coming weeks. He says the venue hopes to have at least 12 to 14 shows this year, and even more in 2025.

Many of the currently scheduled acts are country music, but Baugh says the venue will schedule music that represents the community, including R&B, alternative, rock and gospel acts.

Tickets for shows at The Sound Amphitheater are available through Ticketmaster.com and at the box office on the day of the event only. The box offices opens 2 hours prior to gates.