Miss going to concerts? City National Grove of Anaheim has a solution

The City National Grove of Anaheim hosts drive-in concerts, movies and stand-up comedy specials to provide “an escape from reality” during the pandemic. JACK CLENDENING, Staff Photographer

One song made her feel normal again. 

Alex Ford, a sophomore business administration major, hadn’t felt the vibrations of a thumping bass or the tightly packed atmosphere of dancing limbs at a live concert in over two years. COVID-19 has shut down most of those events. Yet the memories came rushing back when she heard the twang of her favorite record, “Straightjacket,” from performer Quinn XCII at a March 11 drive-in concert at the City National Grove of Anaheim.

“When that song started playing, I immediately remember jumping out of the trunk (of my car) and forcing my friends to stand up and dance with me,” Ford said. “I was so happy to be there. The idea of being at a concert during these times didn’t seem practical or responsible or even possible for that matter. But (the drive-in) proved to me that it can be done in a safe and a very fun manner.”

Music lovers like Ford now have the opportunity to relive the electric feeling of concerts from the comfort of their vehicles thanks to Drive-in OC, which offers a selection of movies, concerts, comedy specials and private events. The showings are held at City National Grove of Anaheim and allow 300 cars in the parking lot, according to Vanessa Kromer, the vice president of Communication at Nederlander Concerts — the company that programs and manages the venue. Tickets are sold per car, which occupies 150 square feet for passengers to set up chairs and boogie to the beat. Everything from food and merchandise is contactless, ordered via the venue’s mobile app. 

Kromer said the original inspiration for the format came from live music drive-ins being held across Europe. 

“Before the pandemic, we had hosted live festival concerts in the parking lot and we knew it was very feasible,” Kromer said. “We basically just had to figure out how to make it work financially and logistically — how to make it COVID-safe and contactless.”

The first show for Drive-in OC came July 3 of last year. Since then, Kromer said they have generated $3 million from their first 60 shows. With a massive concert stage and two LED video screens, Drive-in OC has hosted artists from all genres and features upcoming performances from Jason Mraz, CloZee and Subtronics. 

Giovanna Sestito, a Chapman sophomore strategic and corporate communication major, expressed interest in buying a concert ticket. Her first show at Drive-in OC would be her 59th concert, many of the previous taking place prior to the pandemic. 

“With COVID-19, I have had so many concerts either get canceled, rescheduled or refunded,” Sesito said. “When I heard about Drive-in OC, I was so excited because I’m such an avid concert-goer and I am a music business minor at Chapman, so concerts and music are kind of my thing.”

The pain and boredom of the pandemic reality slipped away and was soon replaced by a sense of community when Kromer attended a September drive-in performance by Fitz and the Tantrums.

“There was a moment where Fitz was on stage and had everyone yell out,” Kromer said. “At that point, we were dealing with so many different things and there was so much anxiety, so much stress and everybody was just starting to feel comfortable to leave their house and go out. He had everybody collectively scream at the same time, and it was just this warmth that we are not alone and we are all going through this together.”

Although these drive-in concerts will be only held temporarily until a full-capacity audience is allowed, Kromer said Drive-in OC hopes to continue bringing entertainment to give the community a break from their current reality. Ford believes the drive-in offers a perfect balance of safety and splendor, creating moments of bliss in a seemingly bleak world.

“It’s the right amount of dosage of, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m back in a concert and listening to music that I love,’ but in a way that is obviously safe during the circumstances,” Ford said. “It’s really special and it’s kind of the perfect medium.”