There is a concert venue in Chittenango where Southern rock legends perform against a backdrop of live giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. The Haven of the Wild is exactly the kind of place that demands an explanation before anything else — “outdoor concert venue” does not cover what they have built on New Boston Road.
The Marshall Tucker Band rolls through on Saturday, August 8, as part of the While I’m Young Tour 2026 — a coast-to-coast run stretching from January through August. It is a stacked night of live music in a setting you will not find anywhere else in Central New York.
About The Marshall Tucker Band
MTB formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1972. The name came from a keychain found in their original rehearsal space — it belonged to a blind piano tuner named Marshall Tucker. Lead vocalist Doug Gray, the sole surviving member of the original lineup, still fronts the band alongside guitarists Chris Hicks and Rick Willis, bassist Ryan Ware, keyboardist Marcus James Henderson, and drummer B.B. Borden.
Their catalog runs more than 20 studio albums, starting with their 1973 debut on Capricorn Records. Six gold albums, the platinum-selling Carolina Dreams, and signature songs — “Can’t You See” and “Heard It in a Love Song” — that audiences still know by heart five decades in. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Collective Soul have both publicly credited MTB as a major influence.
“Over 50 years later, we continue to grow, improve and intensely bring the fans what they love.” — Doug Gray
Special guest Hunter Root opens — a Lancaster, PA singer-songwriter whose blend of acoustic rock, folk, and grunge went viral in 2023 behind his single “Town Rat Heathen.”
About The Haven of the Wild
The Haven of the Wild is at 1863 New Boston Rd, Chittenango, NY 13037 — an outdoor performance space holding up to 2,200 people across 14,000 square feet, with the African savanna backdrop (live animals included) visible from the crowd throughout the show.
Doors open at 6:00 PM, show starts at 7:00 PM. General Admission is standing room; chairs are available for purchase at the door. Pit Passes get you closest to the stage. Outside seating is allowed behind the reserved section. This is an outdoor show — Central New York in August means checking the forecast before you leave.
Tickets & Pricing
Tickets start at $35.00. Grab them here before this one fills up.