20 Iconic Classic Rock Bands That Rocked The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach, Maine

When it comes to major music venues in Maine, two stand out above the rest. First is the Maine Savings Amphitheater in Bangor. The other is Portland’s Cross Insurance Arena. Both locations offer a wonderful schedule of concerts and a variety of other events throughout the year.

While these two venues often steal the spotlight, there’s another in Maine with a performance history that might be second to none: the iconic Ballpark at Old Orchard Beach.

Old Orchard Beach's Ball Park Was an Iconic Live Concert Venue

Originally opened in 1984, "The Ballpark" has served as a valuable multipurpose venue for Southern Maine and beyond. It's perhaps best known for hosting several minor league baseball teams, including the legendary Maine Guides.

While the current Maine music touring climate has seen venues like the Maine Savings Ampitheater, Cross Arena, State Theater, Cross Insurance Center, and Thompson's Point get all the glory, there was a time when The Ballpark was right up there with the best of them.

Many Huge Bands Have Played The Ball Park at Old Orchard Beach

In its early days, The Ballpark hosted legends like The Pointer Sisters (the venue's very first show), The Moody Blues, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and The Beach Boys—entertaining crowds of around 6,000 attendees.

As the years passed and the '80s gave way to the '90s, The Ballpark experienced significant growth. It even became a stop for major tours like the H.O.R.D.E. Festival and Furthur Fest.

The Ballpark had plenty of years of great shows, especially from our classic rock icons. Bands and performers like Aerosmith, Poison, Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, and more graced the stadium with legendary performances.

READ MORE: Maine's Old Orchard Beach Highlighted in Vintage Footage

While The Ballpark no longer hosts many national acts, we shouldn't forget its unforgettable rock history. Below is just a sampling of some of the major names that once rolled through Maine’s iconic beach town.

How many of these shows did you attend?