Les Schwab Amphitheater

There’s no shortage of outdoor spots to see live music in Central Oregon when summer rolls around (or for that matter spring, or fall, or winter …). But one venue stands above the rest of the street festivals, converted parking lots and patios: Les Schwab Amphitheater.

The 8,000-capacity venue held its first season in 2002 and has seen almost nothing but growth since. Over the years the amphitheater has welcomed such frequent fliers as Willie Nelson, Death Cab For Cutie, Ween, Pink Martini, Ben Harper, Michael Franti and Lyle Lovett. More recently, Dave Matthews Band hit up the venue in 2014, opening the floodgates for Phish in 2015 and Widespread Panic last year — and in the process helping to increase Central Oregon’s visibility on the national touring circuit even more.

Looking beyond the music, a show at Les Schwab is a full experience thanks to the ample food vendors; the friendly, welcoming staff; and easy accessibility. Last year the venue committed to going green with its Take Note Initiative, including a reusable pint glass program (Silipints), water stations, compostable cups and a zero-waste/recycling program. (bendconcerts.com)

Peak Summer Nights

Peak Summer Nights (peaksummernights.com), the longest-running concert series in Bend (according to its website), came in second. Recent shows in the series, put on by C3 Events each summer in the courtyard at the Athletic Club of Bend, have included the Gregg Allman Band, case/lang/veirs and Tedeschi Trucks Band.

The Century Center

The Century Center rounded out the top three; recent acts at the venue include Social Distortion, Band of Horses and Silversun Pickups.

— Brian McElhiney, The Bulletin