When concert promoter Mammoth raised the possibility that Snoop Dogg could perform a concert in Lincoln on April 20, Pinnacle Bank Arena took the opportunity to showcase one of pop culture’s most prominent marijuana advocates on International Cannabis Day Celebration. .
“You’re always trying to figure out if you can do something that makes the concert even more special,” said arena manager Tom Lorenz. “Having Snoop in Lincoln on 4/20 is like having a really great Irish band on St. Patrick’s Day….We got it. A lot of places would have loved to have him.”
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How Lincoln landed Wednesday’s concert had little to do with 4/20 or whatever it represents. On the contrary, promoters and agents agreed on a different kind of greenery.
“The main thing that drives artists to a venue is the amount of the guarantee,” Lorenz said. Mammoth and Snoop’s booking agents have “found a mutual guarantee number to play on 20-4 in Lincoln, Nebraska.”
Marijuana use remains illegal in Nebraska, while recreational use is allowed in 18 states, including Colorado, Illinois and Michigan.
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The likelihood of using marijuana at Wednesday’s concert is so high that a Lincoln police spokesperson joked Tuesday that if Snoop sparks Dogg onstage, “he’ll be one of 10,000 people who do.”
But the show won’t draw every cop into Lincoln. But, perhaps coincidentally, there will be an increase in drug driving ban enforcement.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol have announced plans to work overtime this week in an effort to fight drug-driving enforcements linked to 4/20.
The sheriff’s office will specifically deploy additional officers between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., with overtime funding from the state’s Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.
But based on Snoop Dogg’s Pershing Center shows and previous hip-hop concerts at the arena, Lorenz expects few, if any, problems on Wednesday.
“We’ve had Snoop (here) twice already,” he said. “It’s not like it’s something new. Those shows, and the other hip-hop shows, are among our best audiences as far as they have few problems. They don’t create problems.”
For the most part, there are few problems to be expected due to the nature of the audience that will come to see Snoop and rising country star Koe Wetzel, who will open the show.
It is expected that many in attendance grew up with Snoop’s 90s hits, the music that came to mind during the halftime show at the Super Bowl in February.
“It’s a bunch of 30 to 40, 45 year olds,” Lorenz said. “It’s kind of a nostalgia show.”
The show comes amid ongoing efforts to legalize marijuana nationally and allow the use of medical marijuana in Nebraska.
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Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives passed a bill, by a vote of 220 to 204, that would legalize marijuana nationwide, eliminating criminal penalties for anyone who produces, distributes or possesses the substance. The Senate legalization bill is expected to be introduced this summer and implemented before the end of the year.
In Nebraska, a citizen-led campaign is circulating petitions to get medical marijuana in November’s general election. In 2020, the campaign was successful, but the petitions were disqualified for violating state petition laws that limit issues to one topic.
Wednesday’s show, Lorenz said, was not slated to make any sort of political or cultural statement.
“We keep politics out of it,” Lorenz said. “Our job is to book concerts.”
15 things artists say about Lincoln and the arena
Thomas Rhett
“In my seven years of touring, I’ve never seen such a big and engaged audience,” said Thomas Rhett during his show on October 13, 2018. He later said, “It kind of feels like I’m from Nebraska now, what a little bit weird.”
Zach Pluhacek
Brantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert: “I can’t think of a better place to end it (his tour). I’ve been to Nebraska before. I’ve played shows here. I know you know how to stir up hell.”
The Associated Press
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney, who played at the arena on July 14, 2014, said: “You are a great crowd, and this is a great place. I love this place,” and just before the closing medley, Mayor Chris Beutler, whom he met before the show, said, “It’s great. It’s a great location. It sounds very good, Mr. Mayor. It sounds fantastic.”
MJ Kim / courtesy photo
Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks at the end of his shows in October 2017: “I can’t know what the future holds, only God knows. But when we go on tour again, I’d love to go back to Lincoln, Nebraska for God’s sake.”
On one of his first shows of the run in October, Brooks referenced his past Lincoln shows, including a performance at the State Fair that he then called his wildest show ever. “You can take all those other times, get them all together and you just kicked them all out of their lives.”
KAYLA WOLF, Journal Star file photo
Michael Buble
Michael Bublé, who gave the first arena concert on September 13, 2013, “They did a beautiful job. Beautiful work. I can tell you, the building is aesthetically beautiful.” He later said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is one of the highlights of my career to be here and open this building for you.”
Returning in 2018, the singer said: “You are strong people here. I admire you very much. I respect what you do and more than that, I just like you. I’ll come back here as often as you want me. It won’t be five years. I promise.”
FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star File Photo
Carrie Underwood
“We knew the audience here would be so amazing, we thought we’d shoot our next music video here in Lincoln tonight,” said Carrie Underwood at her Lincoln concert on March 26, 2016.
MISHA LOPIANO/Journal Star file photo
eric church
“We’re in a place that’s been really, really good for me,” country singer Eric Church said at the arena on May 20, 2015. “Tonight you broke a record. There have never been more people in this arena than tonight. That means we will be here for a long time and will play many songs.”
MATT RYERSON/Journal Star file photo
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar, who played the arena in July: “I appreciate you all tonight. I wanted to ask, is the energy out tonight? I see Nebraska is not getting tired. Guess what, neither do I.”
Associated press file photo
Jake Owen
Country star Jake Owen, who performed on October 18, 2014, said, “I have to tell you that we sold more tickets in Lincoln, Nebraska, all year round than anywhere else in the country. To see it all, all the way full tonight, on behalf of me and my family, thank you for making my dreams come true I love Nebraska.”
Lincoln Journal Star File Photo
Pearl Jam
Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, performing on October 9, 2014, said: “This is a new building. You’ve had some good bands play here. Rod Stewart, with all due respect; Katy Perry, with all due respect; James Taylor “With all due respect. To break it in a little bit, we need to rattle the bolts in here.”
Lincoln Journal Star File Photo
Lil’ Wayne
“We saved the best for last,” said Lil’ Wayne of his concert to conclude his tour at the Pinnacle Bank Arena on March 6, 2016.
MISHA LOPIANO/Journal Star file photo
Mick Cronin
Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin, seen during a game on Dec. 13, 2014 at Pinnacle Bank Arena, said, “Nebraska, outside of Louisville, has the best arena I’ve been to.”
Lincoln Journal Star File Photo
Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney performing at Pinnacle Bank Arena July 16, 2015: “Lincoln, Nebraska, I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to sing that song (‘The Boys of Fall’) in this city, this arena, this state, this community, where it (football) means so much. †
JENNA VONHOFE/Lincoln Journal Star File Photo
James Taylor
James Taylor, whose show was on June 21, 2014, said the arena was a “beautiful place.” Previously, he said, “This place wasn’t here last time I was here, 10-12 years ago. It’s a nice place. Spacious.”
Lincoln Journal Star File Photo
Tom Thibodeau
NBA coach Tom Thibodeau during a preseason exhibition game in October 2016: “The hotel was great and the facilities are incredible. (This arena) must be a huge plus, and I’ve heard about the practice facility as well. †
AP FILE PHOTO
Reach the writer at 402-473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com. On Twitter @KentWolgamott