Opening act, four additional shows announced for the MS Coast’s new Sound Amphitheater

KC & The Sunshine Band is the opening act at the Sound Amphitheater in Gautier on Friday, April 12.

The disco and funk band’s hits include “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.”

Four other acts also were announced Tuesday on the 8,000-seat venue’s website for the opening season:

▪ April 19 — Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with North Mississippi Allstars

▪ May 24 — Justin Moore with Chris Cagle

▪ Sept 6 — Sam Hunt

▪ Sept. 28 — Melissa Etheridge with Jewel.

The lineup announcement was made by 46 Entertainment, a Nashville-based promoter partnering with the city to bring “A-Level National Artists” to Gautier.

Tickets for all concerts except Sam Hunt go on sale March 1. The opening show will be a $20 ticket event for the community, according to the promoter.

Presale tickets start at 10 a.m. Wednesday, with the code Sound 24.

Local food truck vendors will provide a variety of food and drinks at all shows at the Sound..

More concerts will be announced the week of March 4, the promoter said. The Aug. 4 and Aug. 16 shows are to be announced, according to the season calendar.

The Sound Amphitheater is at 3855 Dolphin Drive, north of where the Singing River Mall previously stood, and is Gautier’s latest move to create a city center and enhance economic development. Plans are underway fto build a Mississippi Songwriters Performing Arts Center and Hall of Fame Museum nearby.

The touring acts coming to Gautier are playing some of the top venues in the country and abroad.

KC & the Sunshine Band was was founded in 1973 in Hialeah, Florida, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2023. Harry Wayne Casey, better known as the founder and leader of KC and The Sunshine Band. His music has has been featured at the Super Bowl and every major sporting event, at parades, political convention, weddings and on more than 200 motion picture soundtracks.

Jason Isbell, a six-time Grammy Award winner, has sold out concerts in Philadelphia, New York and Portland, Maine, this week and next. He and the band will be playing Pittsburgh, Chicago and Atlanta before he arrives in Gautier April 19 The singer-songwriter and actor was born in northern Alabama and his music is described as “alt-country.

Justin Moore is multi-platinum, with a traditional country sound. His 12th No. 1 hit is “You, Me, and Whiskey,” a duet with Priscilla Block. Among his other hits are “Lettin’ The Night Roll,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Small Town USA” and “Till My Last Day.”

Sam Lowry Hunt was born in Georgia. Among his biggest hits are “House Party,” “Leave the Light On” “Breakup in a Small Town” and “Take Your Time.”

Melissa Etheridge is a rock music icons whose hits include “Come to My Window,”Bring Me Some Water,” “I’m the Only One” and “Piece of My Heart.” Singer-songrwiter Jewel also will share the stage with her.