From my choice seats at U.S. Bank Stadium for the inaugural concerts by Luke Bryan and Metallica last summer, I couldn't complain. But everywhere else at the new Vikings stadium, there were issues with the sound. The summer of 2017 should be a better test of the billion-dollar sports palace as a concert facility, with shows by Guns N' Roses (July 30), Coldplay (Aug. 12) and Justin Bieber (Aug. 18).
While both TCF Bank Stadium and Target Field are winners for concerts, the new Vikings venue has potentially more seats — a draw for money-conscious promoters and bands. But as Bryan himself told me, enclosed stadiums are built for sports events, not for concert-quality acoustics.
Another big gig on my calendar is Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey March 24 at Xcel Energy Center. This will be the first proper Twin Cities concert by the pop queen who has sold 200 million albums, scored 18 No. 1 pop singles but has only performed twice here — cameos at KDWB's Last Chance Summer Dance in 1999 (where she lip-synced) and at Mall of America on the "Today" show in 2002.
