DETROIT – The reopening of Michigan Central Station in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood kicks off on Thursday with an outdoor concert filled with big-name artists.
On Thursday, June 6, the show -- dubbed Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central -- will kick off 8:30 p.m. in the park in front of the historic train station. The concert is part of a series of celebrations acknowledging the reopening of the train station after years of renovations.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about the event below.
Are there any tickets left?
Tickets to the show are completely sold out.
Tickets were made available at the end of May for free. They sold out nearly immediately.
If you’re reading this before 6:30 p.m. on June 5: You can enter to win a pair of tickets to the show right here.
Where is the concert actually taking place?
Stages have been set up in front of the Michigan Central Station at Roosevelt Park off Michigan Avenue in Corktown.
A fence lines the perimeter of the show.
Could I see the show from behind the fence?
No. Officials have explicitly said that the show will not be visible to anyone outside of the fenced-in perimeter, including from sidewalks or nearby streets.
When do doors open?
Doors open at 6 p.m. for those with tickets. The concert will begin at 8:30 p.m.
A pre-show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
Please note that once you enter the event, you are not allowed to leave and reenter later. If you leave, you leave for good.
Where do I enter from?
Officials say there will be two entry gates off of Michigan Avenue into the park.
Both of those entrances will be accessible and step-free, officials said.
While the venue itself if “navigable for people with mobility disabilities,” event organizers will not be providing wheelchair or scooter rentals, or personnel dedicated to assisting those in wheelchairs.
However, there will be a “fast lane” for people using mobility devices and for those who can’t stand for long periods of time.
Showing your ticket
Organizers are asking that ticketholders either have a printed or digital version of their ticket on hand to show upon arrival.
Are there bag restrictions?
Yes. Certain small bags will be permitted. Otherwise, the event will have a clear bag policy in place, officials said.
Bags that are up to 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches in size will be allowed, and do not have to be clear. Any bag larger than that must be clear -- though bags can’t exceed the size of 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.
Here’s more specific information from event organizers:
“[Accepted bags include] clear plastic bags, backpacks, fanny packs, clear cinch bags that fit within the permissible dimensions, and one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags. No buckles, grommets/hardware, or décor can be concealing any part of the bag. Logos can only be on one side of the bag.”
Bags that aren’t allowed into the event won’t be stored. Anyone with a bag that doesn’t fit within the guidelines won’t be allowed in.
Where can I park?
This is a bit tricky, since most roads near the train station will be closed on the day of the concert. This includes Michigan Avenue.
Street parking won’t be available on streets near the station. Organizers are encouraging concertgoers to park at nearby parking lots or garages. Some garages are offering shuttles to the concert area, officials said.
Organizers sent an email Thursday at noon saying there will be complimentary parking available at the Bagley Mobility Hub for people attending the concert. The hub is located at 1501 Wabash Street, one block from the venue.
Here’s more info from event organizers:
Most parking is within a 15 minute walk and some garages are providing shuttles.
Michigan Central and Ford Motor Company are working with MGM Grand Detroit and Bedrock to ensure smooth access to the venue.
Bedrock is offering parking in its garages at 1701 W. Lafayette and 1401 First Street for $10, including a shuttle ride to Michigan Central.
Attendees can also park on the fifth through ninth floors of the MGM Grand Detroit garage at 1777 Third Street.
For those using Uber, Lyft, the like
Anyone using a ride-hailing service to get to the concert can get dropped off and picked up on Michigan Avenue between 17 and 18th streets. An example address you can provide the driver is 2515 Michigan Avenue.
Another option is to get picked up or dropped off on 14th Street between I-75 and the Fisher Freeway Service Drive.
Will there be bathrooms?
Yes. Porta potties will be set up “around the concert side,” organizers said. Handwashing stations will also be present.
Can I bring a chair?
No. The venue won’t allow anyone to bring in chairs, folding chairs, stools, or seating devices of any kind.
The concert is strictly standing room only.
Who’s performing?
Here’s the concert lineup, as announced on June 3:
- Diana Ross
- Jack White
- Big Sean
- The Clark Sisters
- Kierra Sheard
- Illa J
- Sky Jetta
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra
- Theo Parrish
- Slum Village
- Melissa Etheridge
- Common
- Fantasia
- Jelly Roll
The show itself is being executive produced by Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenburg, officials said. It wasn’t clear if Eminem would make an appearance during the show.
Apart from musical performances, the show will also include short films, appearances by local leaders, and creators telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region.
The event will also include some big-name presenters, like Detroit Lions stars Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Barry Sanders, in addition to actors Mike Epps and Sophia Bush.
Can I watch the show from home?
You sure can! Local 4 is exclusively airing the concert, and the pre-show, on all of our platforms.
Tune into our TV channel, or watch using our streaming app Local 4+, which is free to download.
Local 4+ is available on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Firestick devices, and on Samsung TV sets. Just search “Local 4″ or “WDIV” on the device or TV to find and download it. You can look for it in the app store of your device or TV, just like you would if you were downloading any other app.
This app isn’t available for tablets or cellphones.
You can also watch the Local 4+ stream on ClickOnDetroit.com right here. That stream can also be found on our mobile ClickOnDetroit app.