The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

Name

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

Legal name

The Right Productions, Inc.

Website

https://thearetha.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Amphitheater & Open-Air Venue Operations (MPAGALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Venue Operators (Arenas, Amphitheaters, Clubs) (MPAGAAAC), Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB), Venue-Owned/Operated Event Organizers (In-House Promoters) (MPAKADAI), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Live entertainment venue
• Concert venue rental
• Outdoor amphitheatre events
• Private event hosting
• Waterfront concert facility

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit, Michigan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from concert and event ticket sales distributed through Ticketmaster. Venue hosts major touring artists, Wednesday Jazzy Nights series, weekend shows, and special events.
2. Food and Beverage Concessions: On-site concessions including alcohol, food, and beverages during events. Positions include Bartender, Barback, Food and Beverage Server, Concessions Supervisor, and Inventory Manager.
3. VIP Upgrades: A-List premium parking and VIP lounge experience upgrades. Includes reserved premium parking, early venue entry, private VIP lounge access, and complimentary drinks.
4. Private Events and Rentals: Venue rental for celebrations, weddings, galas, corporate events, and private gatherings. Marketed through dedicated Private Events page.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre is a 6,000-capacity outdoor waterfront concert venue in Detroit, Michigan, that hosts live music performances, cultural events, and private functions. The venue is owned by the City of Detroit (Recreation Department) and operated under management contract by The Right Productions (TRP), which books events, sells tickets, and coordinates venue rentals for individual consumers, promoters, and corporate or community event organizers.

Product overview

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre is a single physical venue offering live entertainment services rather than a software product platform. The venue operates as a 6,000-capacity waterfront concert facility managed by The Right Productions under contract with the City of Detroit. Core offerings include ticketed concert events, the Wednesday Jazzy Nights music series, weekend shows, private event hosting, and venue rentals. Premium add-on services include A-List VIP Lounge Experience (early entry, private lounge, complimentary drink, dedicated service) and A-List Premium Parking. Supporting services include box office operations, employment opportunities, and college internship programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A-List VIP Experience: Premium upgrade package offering VIP lounge access, early entry, reserved parking, and complimentary drinks for concert guests.

Products and services

• Public Concert Events Ticketed live music and cultural performances open to the general public, sold through Ticketmaster and at the venue box office, targeting individual concertgoers in the Detroit metropolitan area.
• Private Event Venue Rental Rental of the amphitheatre for private corporate functions, weddings, fundraisers, community gatherings, and other private events, providing clients access to the waterfront venue, staging infrastructure, and LED screens.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced over 70 events with 150,000+ attendees in 2021 during pandemic conditions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of Detroit Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA City of Detroit Recreation Department facility. The Right Productions manages and operates the venue under contract with the City of Detroit since 2004. The venue is publicly owned but privately operated.
• The Right Productions, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging and operating the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre since 2004 under contract with the City of Detroit. Founded in 1996 by Shahida Mausi. Produces live entertainment, curated events, and experiential activations. 25-year track record of success.
• TicketmastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary ticketing distribution partner for all concerts and events. All ticket purchases redirect to Ticketmaster. Official Ticketmaster partner logo displayed on website.
• Corewell HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. Corewell Health is a health system in Michigan.
• Wayne CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the venue. Wayne County is a local government entity.
• Bob Maxey (Ford)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the venue. Bob Maxey is a Ford dealership in the Detroit area.
• ChaseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the venue. Chase is a national banking institution.
• Tito's Handmade VodkaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the venue. Tito's is a spirits brand.
• Detroit Public SchoolsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the venue. DPSCD (Detroit Public Schools Community District) logo displayed among sponsors.
• University Prep SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the venue. University Prep Schools is an education institution in Detroit.
• The Right ProductionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite produced by DDM (design/development agency). The footer credits DDM for website production.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Rooftop at Pier 17: An outdoor waterfront concert venue in New York City hosting roughly 3,000-5,000 guests per show. Comparable in outdoor seasonal operations, waterfront destination positioning, premium hospitality offerings, and major-touring-artist focus.
• Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre (formerly Freedom Hill Amphitheatre): Sterling Heights, Michigan outdoor concert venue operated by 313 Presents. Directly comparable as a Mid-sized outdoor amphitheater competing for regional touring acts and corporate/private event bookings in the Detroit market.
• Leader Bank Pavilion: A 5,200-capacity seasonal outdoor concert venue on the Boston Harbor waterfront. Comparable in scale, outdoor seasonal operating model, waterfront differentiation, and VIP/concession revenue mix.
• Stage AE: A multi-format outdoor and indoor concert venue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hosting national touring acts in a comparable 5,000-6,000 capacity range. Similar mid-market regional amphitheater/venue hybrid with VIP and private-event offerings.
• Meadow Brook Amphitheatre: An approximately 7,500-capacity outdoor concert venue in Rochester Hills, Michigan, hosting major touring artists, classical, and family programming. Closely comparable in capacity range, outdoor amphitheater format, and Michigan market positioning.
• Pine Knob Music Theatre: A 15,000-capacity outdoor amphitheater in Clarkston, Michigan, also operated under the 313 Presents umbrella in the same Michigan live-entertainment market. Comparable in core offering (seasonal outdoor concerts, major touring artists, VIP and concession revenue) and competing for the same Detroit-area touring routing.
• Ascend Amphitheater: A 6,800-capacity outdoor riverfront amphitheater in Nashville, Tennessee. Closely matches The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre's waterfront setting, mid-6,000-capacity size, outdoor seasonal programming, and riverfront concessions/VIP product.
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Amphitheater: Outdoor summer concert venue in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Comparable as a Michigan-based outdoor seasonal concert venue with a defined concert series, premium upgrades, and integrated food/beverage operations.
• DTE Energy Music Theatre: Large outdoor concert amphitheater serving the Detroit metropolitan area. Same geography, same target touring-artist ecosystem, and similar seasonal outdoor concert programming with VIP and concession offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Live Nation Entertainment: The largest global live-entertainment company and venue operator. While not a direct competitor in a single Midwestern amphitheater, Live Nation sets touring pricing, owns competing amphitheaters in nearby markets, and operates the parent ticketing platform (Ticketmaster) used by The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheArethaFranklinAmphitheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/thearethalive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-aretha-franklin-amphitheatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre