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The Orion Amphitheater offers authentically North Alabama artist experience

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View from the stage inside The Orion. 

Big names and unforgettable nights. The Orion Amphitheater quickly established itself as a destination venue for some of the biggest names in music in its first two seasons.

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A look at the artist dinning area backstage. 

As it prepares for some highly anticipated shows in its third season in 2024, Â鶹Çø got a chance to explore what you don't see when you attend an event at .

From the smell - a signature sent from created by in Florence - to the views.

"You can see everybody's facial expressions even in the highest seats," explained Artist Hospitality Manager Alex Hendrix. "It's a very intimate experience overall, and I think that's really important because the disconnect that happens when artist are on the road is something that can't be great for creativity and inspiration and so we want everybody to feel connected when they're here."

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A look at the Artist Meadow in the back of the house at The Orion. 

There's not a corner in The Orion that isn't authentically Alabama. The attention to detail in the back of the house gives the artists and their crew a true North Alabama experience.

"If you've seen a documentary that kind of follow someone on concert, you've seen this underground tunnel system that they go through to get to the stage and we did not want that," Hendrix said. "So our hallways are very wide. There's lots of natural light in the room, you see windows everywhere, we have a beautiful artist meadow that people can go and hang out in, hang a hammock, or drink a beer, or blow up an inflatable pool in the summer."

Hendrix is in charge of entertaining the entertainers.

She added, "My job is to make sure they have an amazing time here, but they also want to come back to Huntsville in general, with or without The Orion."

Which includes a heavy focus on our area's rich music and science history. The artist rooms are filled with artwork and vintage furniture to make them feel welcome and inspired.

"It's a full homage to the 1960's early '70s, the in Huntsville, so it's when NASA was gearing up, that's when we were sending man to the moon and doing all these miraculous, technological things in Huntsville," she beamed. "(And) it was the exact same time that Muscle Shoals was becoming this powerhouse within itself and the and and all of these people were traveling to the Shoals area to record these beautiful tracks and gorgeous albums that are still classics today."

Spreading the magic and beauty of North Alabama with every tour.

"Anytime you make someone feel like they wish they didn't have to leave. It's such a beautiful moment."

Even the food is prepared locally, by executive chef of in Florence, Josh Quick who offers personalized menus to break up life on the road for the artists on tour.

Just a first class experience all around for everyone who plays at , which makes it easy to see why it's one of the hottest music venues to visit and play in the country.

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The Orion offers a first class experience for everyone who plays there, spreading the magic & history of North Alabama. 

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Evening Anchor

Marie Waxel is an Emmy & Murrow award-winning journalist. Watch her weekdays on Â鶹Çø News at 4 and 5 p.m.

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