Farmer Music Center Shares New Details on Construction

The state-of-the-art facility will be located just off I-275 and adjacent to Riverbend Music Center.

Rendering provided.

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Music & Event Management, Inc. (MEMI) today welcomed media to The Farmer Music Center for a first look, construction update, a special fly-through video and unveiling of a special tribute at the highly anticipated, state-of-the-art music and entertainment venue set to open in Cincinnati in Spring 2027.

Located just off Interstate 275 and adjacent to Riverbend Music Center, The Farmer Music Center (currently under construction) will continue the area’s long-standing tradition of delivering world-class live entertainment. During today’s event, attendees were given a preview of the newly released fly-through video, offering fans and the community an early glimpse at the venue’s design, feel and overall concert experience. The video can be viewed HERE. 

The event also featured the unveiling of a special monument honoring the legacy of Marian and Donald Spencer, trailblazing Cincinnatians whose roles in the community represented many firsts. Marian Spencer was the first African American woman elected to the Cincinnati City Council and later served as Vice Mayor.  She was the first female President of the Cincinnati NAACP, Chair of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and led the landmark 1952 case that desegregated Coney Island. Donald Spencer was the first African American broker on the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, first African American Trustee of Ohio University and first African American member of the Cincinnati Park Board.

“It is important to us that The Farmer Music Center reflects the history connected to it and the people whose leadership and courage helped shape this community,” said Robert McGrath, CSO President and CEO. “Like many generations of Cincinnatians, we have been deeply inspired by the legacy of Marian and Donald Spencer and their commitment to advancing civil rights, educational equity, and community development in our community.  After years of ongoing dialogue with the Spencer family, we are proud to announce this campus will now feature a special monument honoring Marian and Donald Spencer.”

The Spencer water monument recognizes Marian and Donald Spencer’s profound contributions to the community and is inspired by the concept of movement led by the courage to remove barriers. Prominently positioned along the renewed Central Avenue leading west to The Farmer Music Center, the monument will feature a laser-etched 1950s family portrait of Marian and Donald Spencer on striking black granite, framed by cascading waterfalls flowing from a dedicated reader rail. At the foot of the monument will stand the main reader, offering in-depth stories as well as a spectacular view of the family portrait.

NEW AND RECENTLY UNVEILED VISUALS

Also, in recent months, previously released renderings, venue details, and economic impact information about the new venue have continued to build excitement around the project. Combined with today’s new fly-through animation, music fans are getting an immersive preview of what’s to come.

Over the coming year, fans can follow along as the venue continues to come together, with regular updates, behind-the-scenes photos, and progress highlights shared through the website and across social platforms.

The Farmer Music Center will welcome up to 20,000 guests, offering 8,000 reserved seats along with a 12,000-capacity general admission synthetic lawn.