WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Musical drought ends in Columbia with Cyrus, Swift

Musical drought ends in Columbia with Cyrus, Swift

By Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A drought would be the best way to describe how long it has been since a popular music act has landed in Columbia according to many people.

However, this weekend, teen pop star Miley Cyrus will perform at the Colonial Life Arena and on Monday, it was announced that country star Taylor Swift would also perform in Columbia in 2010.

If you look back to 2002, big acts like Bruce Springsteen, Britney Spears, Prince and Shania Twain all made their presence known in the city.

So what has happened since then to put the city in a musical drought?

Tom Paquette, general manager of the Colonial Life Arena has an explanation.

"We go after as many shows we think can sell tickets here in Columbia, sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn't," said Paquette.

Monday's announcement of Taylor Swift is good news for the venue. Recently, such acts as Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney have passed Columbia over.

"No one's hotter in the world right now than Taylor Swift," said Paquette.

"Kenny will be back in town.  The other shows -- maybe we didn't have a date available, not everybody plays every market in the country. Sometimes they want to spread it out a little," said Paquette.

Paquette blames the empty seats on the economy and says that booking big acts is often cyclical. Right now, he's says they're on a roll and ready to rock once again.

"With Miley it worked out great, with Taylor it worked out great, Martina McBride is coming and Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Radio City. We've got a bunch of shows coming, I think there are more out there," said Paquette.

It worked out great enough for the Colonial Life Arena that they're using a new method of ticket-taking on Saturday when all those Miley fans show up.

"Instead of a paper ticket, you bring the credit card you bought your ticket with.  You hand it over to the usher who scans it and gives you a receipt, you go through the turnstile and head to the show," said Paquette.

Paquette says there will likely be some bumps with the new system.

"Sure, things will be a little slower entering the building, that's why we're opening earlier, instead of 1 hour before, we're opening 2 hours before to make sure things run smoothly," said Paquette.

One question he's already encountered is what if your card is in your spouses name? No problem he says as long as you have a photo ID.  

As for parking, Paquette says they will be pre-selling passes available for pick-up at noon on Saturday.

If you haven't got your Miley ticket yet, there are about 18 left, so get them while their hot and get there early.

"It's gonna be a really exciting night and there's never any damage in coming to town early," said Paquette.

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