The Pavilion at Montage Mountain is the most popular venue in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Home to some of the most exciting concerts and festivals in the city, it is easily one of the major players in maintaining the state’s entertainment scene. Located within the Montage Mountain Ski Resort, the Pavillion became a permanent fixture after its popularity grew. Hence, the venue permanently opened in 2000. Since then, world-class performers have made their way to town and performed in the vast open space that can accommodate up to 16,000 guests. Meanwhile, its 70 acres of land can carry grand productions by massive touring artists. Festivals have also made their way into town and delivered multi-artist performances! For the year 2023 alone, the venue has hosted a plethora of big-name acts. We review how 2023 has turned into an amazing year thanks to this series of extraordinary events at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain.
During summer, The Pavilion becomes a lively destination with the influx of performers. Opening the summer season in 2023 was the enormous music festival called Peach. From June 29 to July 2, Peach delivered countless outstanding performances, including that of monster touring group Tedeschi Trucks Band, Goose, and indie powerhouse My Morning Jacket and Ween. The shows were also graced by iconic bands like Les Claypool, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Umprhey’s McGee, Lettuce, Ripe, and Mike Gordon. All in all, the event featured over a hundred bands and artists, turning The Pavilion into a concert destination.
After the Peach Festival, the Pavilion made way for a new show. This time, it was an epic debauchery of sorts as metal bands Mudvayne brought their psychotherapy sessions tour into town. The headlining tour was already a mini festival in its own right as Mudwavyne brought their friends Coal Chamber, Gwar, Nonpoint, and Butcher Babies. The vast space of The Pavilion was used perfectly for this spectacle. Peach has been known for its incredible attractions. The festival hosted a spacious camping ground, which enabled fans to enjoy the event for several days. Meanwhile, fans were able to enjoy the breathtaking hiking grounds and the beauty of nature. Montage Mountain during the summer is one of the most popular destinations for campers. Attendees were also treated to a wide range of amenities, including water stations, lockers, mini golf, volleyball, zipline, and concessionaries. It was a memorable weekend filled with great music and out-of-this-world experiences.
The Pavilion opened the month of August with a groundbreaking co-headlining show by Godsmack and Staind. Hard rock fanatics from far and wide gathered in Scranton for this incredible one-night show on Wednesday, 2nd August. The show also features an epic setlist of gigantic proportions as the bands deliver their remarkable hits. Godsmack performed iconic rock staples, such as “When Legend Rise,” “Surrender,” Awake,” and “Voodoo.” Their set ended with a highly memorable encore comprising hits like “I Stand Alone,” “Bulletproof,” and “Under Your Scars.” Staind, on the other hand, performed all their sensational hits that conquered the early 2000s, such as “Eyes Wide Open,” “Something to Remind You,” and “Mudshovel.” All in all, it was a night worth remembering, and fans will be talking about this show for months and years to come.
After Godsmack and Staind wrapped up their show, another headbanging powerhouse moved in. Pantera’s long-awaited reunion arrived in two with special guests Lamb of God and Child Bite. One can only imagine the adrenaline that filled the concert grounds for this epic metal show. Thankfully, one of the most outstanding features of the venue is its ample space. Pantera held a historical reunion between its surviving members, Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown. It has been a total of 23 years since fans have seen the band perform on stage. The tour brought along legendary musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante from Anthrax to fill in for the late Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell. We know this event is more than just an exciting night of high-caliber heavy metal, it was a significant moment in music history as the legendary band, known for its high-powered grooves and unprecedented vocals. The band performed their hearts out, and fans banged their heads like it was 1990.
After the incredible performance of Lamb of God and Pantera, The Pavilion became home to another headbang-worth event. Motionless in White brought over the Touring The End of the World Tour. The band, which emerged in Scranton, was thrilled to perform in their hometown. The tour was held to promote the band’s brand-new album, Scoring the End of the World. The show featured several special guests, including Knocked Loose, Parkway Drive, The Amity Affliction, After the Burial, Northlane, Make Them Summer, and Alpha Wolf. Yes, this show was already a mini festival, and fans were ecstatic at being treated to a night of fantastic heavy metal breakdowns, epic screams, and outrageous blast beats!
The Montage Mountain is an incredible feature in Scranton. The ski resort opened the Pavilion as a permanent fixture to host a wide range of events. The concert grounds, with their ample space, also make way for other highly-anticipated spectacles, such as the Spring winter Fest, Spring Brew Fest, Archery Fest, Lackawanna County Heritage Fair, and Nepa Yoga Fest. During fall, the Pavilion hosts the Fall Wine Festival and Rhythm & Brews. The venue attracts a wide range of attendees, from locals and tourists. Thanks to the venue’s proximity to a resort, looking for accommodation is a fuss-free experience. Meanwhile, the myriad of activities available at the resort provides concert attendees with a multitude of things to do other than the concert itself. Ultimately, it is recommended that you turn your visit to The Pavilion into a multi-day extravaganza so you can enjoy all the features of Montage Mountain.
If you want to experience a weekend or even a weekday at the Pavilion, you better hurry and score tickets now to one of its upcoming concerts and festivals. You’re guaranteed to have the time of your life at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain.