New Live Music Venue in Portland, Maine, Sparks Debate

Big changes could be coming to Portland’s live music scene, and not everyone is thrilled. According to News Center Maine, a 3,300-seat venue called Portland Music Hall is in the works for the corner of Myrtle and Cumberland Streets.

The project is spearheaded by Todd Goldenfarb of Mile Marker Investments, in partnership with Live Nation—the same company currently facing a lawsuit for allegedly monopolizing the live event industry.

Goldenfarb argues that Portland is missing a mid-size venue to bridge the gap between smaller venues like the State Theatre and the much larger Cross Insurance Arena. In theory, that sounds great. More shows, more options, more money flowing into the city. But not everyone is buying it.

At a recent public planning board meeting, News Center Maine reported that many locals raised concerns about parking, traffic, and—perhaps most importantly—how the concert hall could impact independent event venues in Portland.

There’s a valid worry that smaller venues will suffer if Live Nation—already a dominant force in the industry—starts bringing in acts that might otherwise book indie spaces. And this isn’t just a Portland problem. According to Variety, a lawsuit filed last year against Live Nation claims the company makes it difficult for artists to play at non-Live Nation venues by allegedly forcing them into unfair venue agreements that hurt smaller businesses and limit options for fans.

News Center Maine also reported that Mayor Mark Dion clarified that the planning board is only focused on zoning issues, meaning complaints about Live Nation’s impact on Portland’s live events scene won’t affect whether the venue gets approved. But if community concerns grow, the City Council may have to weigh in.

Whether the Portland Music Hall project becomes a game-changer for the city or another example of corporate dominance pushing out local businesses remains to be seen. Construction is set to begin in the fall of this year with the hopes of opening in the fall of 2027.