The Peacock Theater, formerly Nokia Theatre and Microsoft Theater, is a music and theater venue in downtown Los Angeles, California at L.A. Live. The theater auditorium seats 7,100[2] and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States.[3]
History
The theatre was designed by ELS Architecture and Urban Design of Berkeley, California on a commission by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) in 2002.[3] It opened on October 18, 2007, with six concerts featuring the Eagles and the Dixie Chicks.[2] On June 7, 2015, the Nokia Theatre was re-branded as Microsoft Theater as part of a new naming rights deal with AEG Live[4] following Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's mobile device business in 2014.[5] As part of the new naming rights deal, the L.A. Live plaza was also renamed Microsoft Square (later known as Xbox Plaza) and Microsoft provided upgrades to the venue's technology.[6][7]
On June 15, 2023, it was announced that the theater would be rebranded as Peacock Theater on July 11 as part of a new naming rights deal between AEG Live and Peacock's parent company NBCUniversal, with Xbox Plaza also rebranded as Peacock Place.[8]
Naming history
Nokia Theatre (October 17, 2007 – June 6, 2015)[9]
Microsoft Theater (June 7, 2015 – July 10, 2023)[10]
Interior view from the stage in October 2007Nokia Theatre in 2008
Since its opening in 2007, the venue has become the venue of multiple entertainment industry awards shows, most notably the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Primetime Emmy Awards
Since 2008, the theater has been the venue of the annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony after that show moved here from the Shrine Auditorium, except in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was held at the Crypto.com Arena and the Event Deck at L.A. Live, respectively. The Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which take place a week before the Primetime Emmy Awards are also held at this venue. Following the Emmy Awards telecast, the Governors Ball is held across the street at the Los Angeles Convention Center.[12] The Emmys will continue to be held here through 2022 and possibly 2026.[13]
Grammy Awards
In 2008 and 2011, the venue hosted The Grammy Nominations Live, a concert announcing the nominees for the Grammy Awards. The Grammy Awards take place annually across the street at the Crypto.com Arena, but the Premier Ceremony (also referred to as the "pre-telecast" ceremony) is held here. Approximately 70 Grammy categories are awarded.[14]
The venue has also served as a sports venue. It has hosted boxing matches and will also serve as a venue during the 2028 Olympics and the 2025 NHL entry draft.
The theater has also been used by Microsoft and Nintendo multiple times for press conferences during the E3 trade event.
John Mayer played a concert at the theater on December 8, 2007, for the first revue of his Annual John Mayer Holiday Charity Revue, consisting of three separate performances: the first an acoustic set opened by Mayer and joined by the guitarists from his band, the second with the John Mayer Trio, and the third with Mayer's regular touring band. This was recorded and released as the live album/concert filmWhere the Light Is.
It was also the venue for the finale of American Idol from 2008 to 2014.
Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku made her U.S. debut at the theater on July 2, 2011, as part of Anime Expo.[23] She returned to the venue on October 11–12, 2014, as part of Miku Expo LA 2014.[24] Both concerts were sold out. Miku returned for another performance on May 6, 2016, as part of her first North American tour.[25] She once again returned as part of her second tour of North America on June 29, 2018.[26]
The live adaption of the children's television series Yo Gabba Gabba! called Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! There's a Party in My City! was held at theatre in 2011.
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