BY DANIEL SCHRAGER
Daily Post Staff Writer
Stanford, which had its first rock concert at Stanford Stadium in May, is seeking Santa Clara County’s approval to host a three-day concert series next year.
The event would take place May 16, 17 and 19, with shows running from 5 to 10 p.m. and fireworks afterward, according to a report prepared by county Associate Planner Parya Seif.
Stadium capacity will be expanded from the usual 50,000 to 58,000 for the concerts.
While Stanford Stadium hasn’t traditionally hosted concerts, Coldplay headlined a pair of shows there May 31 and June 1. The shows could be heard throughout the city, given the stadium’s location by El Camino Real, across the street from Palo Alto High School. The concert could also be heard in parts of Menlo Park. The Coldplay concerts included real-time noise monitoring, and the county required concert organizers to turn down the volume if it violated Santa Clara County noise ordinance, according to Seif.
However, Stanford commissioned an assessment prior to the show that found the music would exceed city-imposed noise limits in parts of Menlo Park closest to the stadium.
The real-time noise monitoring would be back for the three 2026 shows, according to Seif’s report.
County planners also consulted with the Palo Alto Planning and Development Services Department before recommending the permit be approved, Seif said. The report makes no mention of consulting with Menlo Park. All three concerts would feature firework displays and light shows. Stanford is allowed to host two firework displays a year under its current General Use Permit but can host additional ones with the county’s approval.
The county’s planning department has recommended that the zoning administrator approve the permit, which was filed Oct. 6. Seif said noise, lighting and traffic concerns aren’t significant enough to reject the permit.
As conditions for the permit’s approval, the planning department is asking that Stanford provide sufficient parking, lighting and security, music and fireworks are done by 10 p.m. and any lasers or lighting effects stay inside the stadium.
County law requires Stanford to obtain a license before hosting concerts at the stadium, since it’s designed for sports.