Walmart AMP shows already have students buzzing

May 2016 was when seniors Maddie Horn and Bailey Vaughn first went to the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion together. Sitting in the lawn, they were cheering, dancing, and singing along to one of their favorite artists, Ellie Goulding. This was only the start of the many memories they would make at the Amp.

“We [Horn and Vaughn] made a lot of interesting stories,” Horn said. “Each time we were on the grass, which I think is a lot of fun because you just kind of have your own space, you can be with that one person, and we had a lot of laughs.”

The Walmart AMP, originally located in the Northwest Arkansas Mall Parking lot, later at the Washington County Fairgrounds, and now in Rogers, has been the premiere music venue for many students. Vaughn has seen multiple concerts at the AMP.

“I’ve been to three concerts. I went to Lady Antebellum, Ellie Goulding, and I also went to The Lumineers,” Vaughn said. “All three of the artists performed their hearts out, and it were incredible.”

Starting in late April, the AMP will host Blink-182, Train, Third Eye Blind, Steve Miller Band, Wheels of Soul, and Lady Antebellum for the summer season. Senior Jenny Osorio has never been to the AMP, but would like to see Lady Antebellum live.

“I’m most excited for Lady Antebellum because I love how both vocalists in the band harmonize so well,” Osorio said.

In fact, Horn and Vaughn have already bought tickets to see Train, a classic they both listened to as kids.

“We bought tickets to Train and Natasha Bedingfield because we wanted to throw it back to the 2000s. I think it’ll be a really good time,” Horn said.

However, Train and Lady Antebellum seem to be the only artist students are interested in. Osorio admits that she does not know of many of the artists well enough to pay to see them.

“The disadvantages for this year’s line up is that the bands are a little less known,” Osorio said.

Despite this, Vaughn has noticed that the bigger the AMP gets, the more well-known artists perform here in Northwest Arkansas.

“Every year they have some pretty good artists. As the AMP grows, it also gets more attention. Bigger people are starting to come, like Train and Blink-182,” Vaughn said.