The Band Perry plays for near sellout crowd at Corbin Arena

Above, Kimberly Perry and Neil Perry, of The Band Perry, performed for a near sell-out crowd Saturday at The Arena in Corbin.

One of the biggest productions in the facility’s five-year-history, The Band Perry delighted a near-sellout crowd at The Arena in Corbin Saturday night … and the show could be the first of several current, popular acts to play at the facility this year.

Over 4,000 people bought tickets to see the trio of siblings — lead vocalist Kimberly Perry and her two brothers, guitarists Reid and Neil Perry — play hits from their two albums along with some cover songs.

“I was really glad to see so many parents with their kids and this show. Everyone really seemed to be having a good time,” said Corbin Arena Manager Connie Hunt. “The Band Perry is just an outstanding band and they are good young people who are incredibly talented. They have a lot of energy onstage. It was a great show.”

Hunt said the group was using The Arena, along with other venues on their first solo tour, as sort of a test to see how well a larger, more elaborate tour with more stops at even larger facilities might work out.

“I think this was them starting to get their feet wet as a headliner,” Hunt said. “It was kind of a way for them to see how things would go. From what I saw, I really think they are going to nail it. I’ve heard nothing but positive things about them.”

Hunt said she worked for roughly a year to book the band at the facility. The concert is promoted by Live Nation — one of the largest live entertainment promoters in the nation.

Technically, the bands performance and stage setting were impressive.

The group used a giant video screen that spanned the entire length of the stage as a backdrop. For most of the performance it displayed evocative images and lighting choreographed with the music. A portion of the stage also extended out into the crowd allowing the performers to get closer to their fans.

Opening acts for The Band Perry included Canadian singer/songwriter Lindsay Ell and country music star Easton Corbin.

Hunt said Saturday’s performance would provide a big financial boost for The Arena. The facility gets some revenue from ticket sales, but mostly cashes in on the sale of concessions and proceeds from memorabilia like t-shirts.

Hunt said she has one large musical show that is “confirmed” for June, but is contractually obligated not to release any information about whom it will be until a later date. She said she is working on two others. Also on The Arena schedule are some local events along with the 13th Region boys and girls basketball tournaments that will begin next week.