Rock on! Phoenix area readying for big concert weekend

PHOENIX — The upcoming weekend was expected to be a great time for thousands of music lovers across the Phoenix area.

Metallica, Neil Diamond and Ed Sheeran were all scheduled to play concerts on either Friday or Saturday in the Valley.

The party was scheduled to start early Friday, as parking lots at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale were expected to be open by 2 p.m. to welcome rockers looking to tailgate ahead of the Metallica show.

Parking in the stadium lot was $20 per car. More spots were available at the nearby Westgate Entertainment District.

More than 50,000 fans had purchased tickets to the show as of Friday. Openers Gojira were supposed to hit the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Avenged Sevenfold at 7 p.m. and then the main act at 8 p.m.

Tickets were still available.

University of Phoenix Stadium said a clear bag policy was in place for the show and told fans to leave bags at home or in the car.

Diamond was scheduled to play Friday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix at 8 p.m. The show was part of his 50 Year Anniversary Tour and it would be safe to day audience members can expect “Bah, bah, bah!” along with “Sweet Caroline.”

Tickets were still out there.

The concert fun will be closed out by Sheeran, who takes the stage Saturday night at Gila River Arena in Glendale. Tickets were still for sale as of Friday.

Even the Arizona Department of Transportation got in on the musical fun, posting special Metallica- and Diamond-inspired signs.

#Metallica and Neil Diamond performing today in the Valley? We had to get in on that. #tweetcaroline pic.twitter.com/mewEigVb08

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 4, 2017

As is usual for big events, drivers should expect some traffic snarls, especially Friday along the Loop 101 in Glendale.

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