Irvine Meadows Amphitheater to close after 35 years

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- After 35 years of hosting the biggest names in music, the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater will close at the end of October.

Following the end of the iconic music venue's lease, the amphitheater will be demolished to make room for apartments.

FivePoint Communities, developer of homes and a sports complex at the Orange County Great Park, revealed plans for an interim 12,000-seat outdoor venue on its property.

"Live music will not die next month in Irvine," chairman and CEO of FivePoint, Emile Haddad, said. "There is no major city that doesn't have live music and there's no great city that's going to become great without live music, and that's why this was very important for us."

FivePoint is teaming with Live Nation, the event promoter behind Irvine Meadows, to fund and build the project.

During the final concert run, Live Nation's asked fans to sign posters sharing what live music in Irvine meant to them.

"It was heartbreaking at one point to hear that it was going away. But I don't think anyone really lost faith that it wasn't going to be replaced by something special," said Jeremy Skiver, a longtime fan and Irvine Meadows season ticket holder.

The interim plan requires approval from the city's planning commission.

The city council will consider impact on traffic, noise and lighting while looking at a proposed permanent venue in the Orange County Great Park.

"I think all of our families, everybody in the community, are so excited about keeping live music here in Orange County and especially at the Great Park," Irvine City Councilwoman Christina Shea said.

If approved, FivePoint hopes to open the interim venue by May 2017.