All six TempleLive concert venues across the Midwest have abruptly ceased operations, leaving thousands of ticket holders scrambling and dozens of artists without performance dates. The sudden shutdown affects historic venues in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Peoria, Illinois; and Wichita, Kansas, each housed in converted Masonic temple buildings capable of accommodating up to 2,500 attendees.
The sudden closure of all TempleLive venues has left a concert void across five Midwest states, affecting thousands of music fans.
The cancellations have impacted performances by notable artists including Sparks, Waxahatchee, Bill Fox, The Waterboys, and James McMurtry, who received no advance warning before their shows were pulled from calendars. Staff at the affected venues have reportedly been let go as part of the shutdown, with no formal explanation provided to employees or the public.
TempleLive’s previously robust websites now display only basic contact information, directing disappointed ticket holders to Ticketmaster for refunds. The venues, which had established themselves as unique historic spaces for concerts, weddings, and private events, now sit empty with uncertain futures.
Artist representatives have voiced frustration about the situation, with some noting payment issues following previous TempleLive performances. The ongoing payment disputes may have contributed to the sudden venue closures. The sudden closure has created logistical challenges for touring musicians who must now scramble to find alternative venues or face gaps in their touring schedules. For affected artists, this disruption highlights the importance of diverse income streams as a buffer against unexpected performance cancellations. Some local establishments, including House of Blues in Cleveland, have stepped up to accommodate displaced shows.
The Wichita location, housed in the Scottish Rite Center with a capacity of approximately 1,500, had become central to the city’s music scene before going dark. The venue was particularly renowned for its state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems that created immersive concert experiences. Many affected artists are now turning to streaming platforms to maintain fan engagement while working to reschedule their canceled performances. Patrons of various TempleLive venues had previously reported mixed experiences, citing issues ranging from unexpected seating changes to expensive parking fees and uncomfortable conditions at certain performances.
Rob Thomas, who served as TempleLive president from 2021 before briefly leaving and returning as VP of programming in 2025, has not issued any statement regarding the cancellations. The venues, operated under Beaty Capital Group based in Rogers, Arkansas, marketed themselves as destinations with unique historic ambiance for live music experiences—an experience now indefinitely suspended for fans across multiple states.
