Freebird Live (originally Freebird Cafe) was a music venue located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. They closed their doors with a final concert on January 21, 2016.

Freebird Live
Map
Former namesFreebird Cafe (1999-2005)
Address200 1st St N
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
LocationDowntown Jacksonville Beach
Coordinates30°17′26″N 81°23′24.5″W / 30.29056°N 81.390139°W / 30.29056; -81.390139
OwnerJudy Van Zant-Jenness
Melody Van Zant
Seating typeStanding-room only
Capacity700
Construction
OpenedSeptember 8, 1999 (1999-09-08)
Renovated2008
ClosedJanuary 21, 2016
Website
Venue Website

Overview edit

The venue opened on September 8, 1999, with a concert by The Charlie Daniels Band.[1] The cafe featured Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia, food and recorded music.

In 2005, the owners considered moving the venue location to accommodate a larger capacity and big-name acts. Buildings in Atlantic Beach, Florida, and Jacksonville, Florida, were considered. However, the owners decided to renovate its current location in lieu of moving.[2]

Jacksonville bands that played at Freebird Live include the Gregg Allman Band (d.2017) in 2002, Dickey Betts & Great Southern in 2002, Yellowcard in 2002, Shinedown in 2003, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in 2004, and Cold in 2010. Florida bands that played at Freebird Live include most of the famous Florida bands in the 00s including: Gainesville's Sister Hazel in 2008, Less Than Jake in 2005, and Against Me! in 2007; Orlando's Trivium in 2009, Tremonti (guitarist for Creed) in 2015, and Blood on the Dance Floor in 2012; Underoath in 2005, The Almost in 2007, Mayday Parade in 2011, Anberlin in 2012, Copeland in 2006, We the Kings in 2011, Nonpoint in 2010, New Found Glory in 2010, and Iron & Wine in 2005.

The venue closed its doors permanently following a performance from Galactic on January 20, 2016. The building is now occupied by Surfer the Bar.[3]

Performances at Freebird Live edit

References edit

  1. ^ Carter, John (September 3, 1999). "With Southern flare, Freebird Cafe plans to remember Lynyrd Skynyrd". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  2. ^ Burmeister, Caren; Dixon, Drew (February 17, 2007). "Freebird decides it's staying put". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  3. ^ Remembering Freebird Live - The Coastal