Poplar Bluff's Black River Coliseum to host four-band concert in October

The Black River Coliseum will rock in October as four bands never before seen in Poplar Bluff take the stage.

Papa Roach, Staind, Seether and Red are set to appear Oct. 21.

"This show is two years in the making," said coliseum Director Jason Davenport. "We strive to have a good diversity in the [coliseum] lineup and a true hard rock show like this is one of the pieces that was missing."

Papa Roach's breakthrough album was the three-time platinum "Infest," released in 2000. Each album since has made the Billboard 200 top 20.

Staind's newest release, "The Illusion of Progress," is its fourth consecutive album to debut in Billboard 200's top 3.

Seether and Grammy-nominated Red are also enjoying growing popularity.

"At the end of the year, in the community, we want [everyone] to be able to say there was something done here they really liked," Davenport said. "In the three years I've been here, this has been far and away the best year for shows."

This type of show was three-to-one the most requested from the public, added office manager Subrina Robison.

Tickets for this show will range from $25 to $40 and go on sale next Friday. There will be a mosh-pit style floor, Robison said. About 300 seats will also be set aside for family sections, controlled areas where alcohol is not permitted.

The coliseum has been able to attract this year's popular acts because it has developed a good reputation with artists and entertainers, Davenport said.

"It's exciting to be at the stage where bands are starting to call on us, which is where we need to be," Davenport said. "For us to get [these] calls, that's a huge thing and it leads to bigger and better shows."

Organizers have also confirmed appearances from a comedian and a classic country band before the end of 2008. Those dates will be released in coming weeks.

Billy Currington will appear Saturday at the coliseum with special guest Lee Brice. Before the concert Poplar Bluff Mayor pro tem Betty Absheer will present Currington with a key to the city.