KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Grammy-winning rapper Macklemore held a free concert at Thompson-Boling Arena Friday night.
U.S. Cellular celebrated its 35th anniversary by hosting the free concert on October 25. TBA's doors opened at 6 p.m. and the concert began at 7 p.m.
Organizers said the response the celebration was fantastic.
"You know, a lot of people say 'What’s the catch?' And we’re like there is no catch. We are truly celebrating being here for 35 years, and what a better way to do it then to celebrate with a free concert," Michael Behee with U.S. Cellular said.
Free tickets were available at select U.S. Cellular stores in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 28. The tickets were first-come, first-serve and were distributed in pairs to customers and non-customers 16 years or older.
Macklemore, a hip-hop artist and songwriter from Seattle, Washington, has won four Grammy Awards. As of August 2019, the music video “Thrift Shop” has amassed 1.3 billion views on YouTube. He was honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award from MusiCares in 2019 in recognition of his commitment to helping others in the addiction recovery process.