OCVibe reveals details of the 5,000-seat concert hall that opens in 2027

When the 5,000-seat concert hall now under construction in Anaheim’s OCVibe development opens in early 2027, Orange County will finally be able to complete with mid-sized venues in Los Angeles for concerts, awards shows, sporting events and more, its builders said on Thursday, March 12.

Now, Orange County will have a state-of-the-art concert hall to compete for the kinds of artists and entertainers that might otherwise be booked into the YouTube Theater in Inglewood with its 6,000 seats; the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, which holds 5,900; or even the Peacock Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, which can handle 7,100 people.

“We created OCVibe to elevate the live performance experience for both artists and fans,” said Julie Rinaldi, a principal at Populous, the architectural design firm that created the Sphere in Las Vegas and Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, and was involved in recent renovations of the Los Angeles and Anaheim convention centers and several terminals at LAX.

“The venue features an intimate seating bowl with outstanding acoustics and clear sightlines, ensuring every guest feels immersed in the energy on the stage,” Rinaldi continued in a written statement released by OCVibe on Thursday.

“At the same time, we designed an artist-focused environment anchored by an open-air courtyard and headliner suites that embrace Southern California’s climate,” she said. “Together, these elements shape a venue that is flexible, efficient and thoughtfully designed for the way live music happens today.”

OCVibe is currently rising from 100 acres around Honda Center, which is operating now while undergoing a $1 billion renovation. In addition to Honda Center and the concert hall yet to be formally named, OCVibe will also include the Golden Bear, a 300-capacity club slated to open in 2029, which takes its name from a beloved, but long-gone, Huntington Beach music venue.

“Artists won’t just play at OCVibe, they’ll grow here,” said Eric Bresler, OCVibe’s senior vice president of entertainment in the statement announcing the progress of the theater. “With the addition of the concert hall, we’re creating a rare ecosystem where an artist can move from an intimate club to a mid-size room to a major arena, all within one connected campus in the heart of Orange County.”

OCVibe officials said the new concert hall seeks to make everyone in the three levels of seating or backstage as comfortable and welcome as possible.

The venue’s event space includes 18,000 square feet for seating, bars and bathrooms, and the Gallagher Club, which will overlook the campus between the hall and Honda Center.

Backstage will be six different dressing rooms, including two private artist suites, a crew kitchen and showers, and an open-air courtyard.

“The backstage experience is intentionally different,” said Tina Suca, senior vice president of venue operations, in the statement. “It is open, comfortable, and fully connected.

“Every element, from acoustics and sightlines to artist flow and shared spaces, was designed to create an environment where performers and crew can settle in, feel supported, and deliver unforgettable shows here in Anaheim,” she said.

The exterior of the concert hall includes a striking sculptural design. The Stretto, as it’s been named, is a 62-foot-tall steel art installation with louvered metal panels on the southeast corner of the building. It’s intended as a gateway between the venue and the Urban Park that is being built around it. The Stretto Café will serve concertgoers and other OCVibe visitors beneath the installation.

The concert hall and adjacent Urban Park are part of the first phase of OCVibe, which is expected to open in early 2027. Also debuting at that time will be Katella Commons, a kitchen market hall that will feature 21 chefs, and the Weave office building.

The hall’s official name and initial lineup of programming will be announced later this year. For updates on the project, see  ocvibe.com/concerthall.