With the much-anticipated total solar eclipse coming in April 2024, the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau announces a free concert series for visitors and residents at First Security Amphitheater.
The concerts will be held on the evenings of Saturday and Sunday, April 6 and 7, with a daytime performance on Monday, April 8 at the River Market District concert venue.
Read more below about the performers and tickets
The Machine Performs Pink Floyd, a critically acclaimed tribute, will perform Pink Floyd’s iconic album Dark Side of The Moon in its entirety on April 8 to celebrate the eclipse’s totality in Little Rock, as the moon passes between Earth and the sun. Gates will open at 11 a.m. With the partial eclipse beginning at 12:33 p.m., The Machine is slated to perform from approximately 12:40-1:40 p.m., pausing for a 20-minute intermission ahead of full totality between 1:51-1:54 p.m. The band will then resume their performance from 2-3 p.m., with partial totality concluding at 3:11 p.m.
Ward Davis will perform Saturday evening. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the 8-9:30 p.m. show. A yet-to-be announced opening act will perform from 7-7:45 p.m.
Rodney Block Collective & All-Star Friends will perform Sunday evening. Gates will open at 5 p.m. for the 6-8 p.m. show.
“Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is one of the greatest-selling records of all time,” said Gina Gemberling, president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB), “As the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, we knew their timeless music would set the perfect mood for our event.”
“This is the perfect way to welcome visitors to our city,” said Gemberling, “while also providing an option for our residents to celebrate and enjoy this spectacular celestial event.”
The Machine has forged a 30+ year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. The New York-based quartet performs a diverse mix of The Floyd’s extensive 16-album repertoire, complete with faithful renditions of popular hits as well as obscure gems. The Machine has sold out shows across North America, Europe and Asia, and performed at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Riverbend, and Gathering of the Vibes. They have shared the stage with full symphony orchestras, including the Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh and San Diego Symphonies, as well as the Buffalo Philharmonic.
Davis, an Arkansas native, is a singer songwriter who has written songs recorded by Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Jewel and others. He’s currently on a national tour and recently performed at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. As part of the Beagles, a band he formed in 2009, he was notably featured in A&E’s musical reality show ‘Crazy Hearts: Nashville.’
Block, also an Arkansas native, is staple of the local jazz and funk scene. A classically trained instrumentalist, he performs a unique blend of traditional jazz, gospel, hip-hop, bebop, funk and soul. He honed his skills by playing in some of Kansas City’s premier venues – Grand Emporium, Plaza III, Blue Room and Liberty Hall. His ensembles have opened for Jonathan Butler, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Wynton Marsalis, and Angela Hagenbaugh, among others.
Reserved seating will be available with corporate sponsorships. Those interested in sponsorships should contact LRCVB Destination Project Coordinator Cory Blunt at (501) 370-3274.
The performances are one element of what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend in Little Rock, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.littlerock.com/eclipse-