Some 10,000 people from across the Kansas City area and beyond came to Riverside on Wednesday night to christen the Kansas City area’s new concert venue, the Morton Amphitheater.
The 16,000-seat open air venue kicked off its season officially with a performance by Kesha, who played her 2010s hits to fans in the pit, VIP seating, a general admission lawn and more.
Ahead of the opening, Live Nation, the company behind the venue, touted the seating options, public gathering spaces, food and drink options and more. Though there were some hiccups on opening day, fans generally agreed that the venue had a lot to offer for KC concert-goers.
Star photojournalist Emily Curiel captured the inaugural concert and crowds taking in the new venue.
The Morton Amphitheater at 6150 NW Music Blvd., is pictured on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People stand in line to enter the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People pose for a photo beside a guitar-shaped display at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People lounge in lawn chairs at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People view a calendar of summer performers at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Visitors play cornhole before Kesha's Freedom Tour concert at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Koko's Bavarian is seen at Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People walk up steps to get to the lawn seating area at Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People gather on the lawn as the evening sun illuminates the Morton Amphitheater before Kesha's Freedom Tour concert on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Sizzy Rocket performs as the opening act for Kesha's Freedom Tour at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Singer Kesha performs the song “Tik Tok” during her Freedom Tour at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Singer Kesha performs the song “Die Young” during her Freedom Tour at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Singer Kesha performs the song “Die Young” during her Freedom Tour at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Singer Kesha performs the song “Attention!” during her Freedom Tour at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Singer Kesha performs the song “Joyride” during her Freedom Tour at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Singer Kesha plays the guitar while performing the song “Thinking of You” during her Freedom Tour at the Morton Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Riverside. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
