31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Big acts in Hamilton: Who has graced Copps/FirstOntario Centre?
The former Copps Coliseum, currently FirstOntario Centre is no more, and will be replaced by
TD Coliseum
later this year.
And the shows are still coming.
Prospective concert-goers were gobsmacked over the number of people looking for seats, and what
Paul McCartney's upcoming concert at the new venue sold out in
about 15 minutes.
Italian singer
Andrea Bocelli
and country singer Brad Paisley will also perform at TD Coliseum later this year.
Here's a recap of some of Hamilton's biggest shows at the venue. Comment below on performances you remember.
McCartney performed for a sold-out crowd at FirstOntario back in 2016.
The former Beatle is just one of many stars who have performed in Hamilton.
The Rocketman performed for a packed crowd in 2014.
Sir Elton John performs to a packed house at the First Ontario Centre in 2014.
Frontman Ozzy Osbourne passed away in July after a long career that included multiple shows in Hamilton.
Here's a look at the times the 'Prince of Darkness' graced Hamilton with his presence.
Rush lead singer and guitarist Geddy Lee plays at Copps in July 2013.
Canadian rock royalty visited in 2017.
Rush's drummer, St. Catharines' Neal Peart
, may also get a memorial at Lakeside Park.
Iconic Canadian rock band Rush played Copps Coliseum Saturday night. Drummer Neil Peart with Rush at Copps in 2013.
The project has been announced but is struggling to get funding.
A planned statue and walkway tribute to the late Rush drummer in Lakeside Park is lagging behind
The energy of the bassist, Flea, was a highlight for
The Spec's coverage
of the 2017 show in Hamilton. Flea was the 'unrelenting engine behind the Chili Peppers' for a sold-out crowd of 13,500.
Hamilton, June 22, 2017 — Opening power jam by L-R Flea, Chad Smith, and Josh Klinghoffer at the FirstOntario Centre in June 2017.
RHCP performing at FirstOntario Centre in June 2017.
Of course they would be on this list. Hamilton-born The Arkells performed in 2017 at FirstOntario Centre.
Arkells hit the stage for the band's sold-out show at FirstOntario Centre in February 2017.
Earlier this summer they also hosted their
Rally series
at Hamilton Stadium.
With an upcoming show on Saturday, here is a look back at the Hamilton band over the past decade.
The Canadian pop and country star performed in June 2018. More recently, she also had a July 10 performance at the
Cavendish Beach Festival
in Prince Edward Island.
Shania Twain in concert at First Ontario Centre June 2018.
Kpop fans swarmed downtown Hamilton when BTS stopped by in 2018.
Fans have their photo taken in front of a poster of BTS, prior to a September 2018 show at FirstOntario Centre.
The band performed in August 2016, a year before the passing of singer Gord Downie.
Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip performs at First Ontario Centre in Hamilton August 2016.
