DETROIT, MI - Huey Lewis and the News will perform Tuesday night at Freedom Hill Amphitheatre to kick off this Sterling Heights outdoor concert venue's season.

The band will likely play its hit tune "Back in Time," but Freedom Hill's new ownership group has every reason to look forward. This venue is now open for the first time in nearly four years.

After more than $2 million worth of upgrades, Freedom Hill kicks off a busy concert season that includes at least 30 acts and is headlined by Lady Antebellum on June 13. That show is sold out.

"We're going to take Freedom Hill to the next level," said Joe Vicari, of Andiamo Restaurant Group, part of a new ownership/management group with Tom Celani of Luna Entertainment.

Vicari made that statement in December during a press conference announcing Freedom Hill's re-opening, and appears determined to give patrons a visitor-friendly experience.

Vicari's business partner, Tom Celani of Luna Entertainment, said in the same press conference visitors to the "new" Freedom Hill will get "an experience," not just a concert.

"It's not just about getting great bands on stage," Celani said.

All Freedom Hill events are booked by AEG Live, one of the world's leaders and entertainment and event booking.

There appears to be a market for smaller venues, one Vicari believes Freedom Hill can capitalize on because of its intimate 7,200 seating capacity.

"The acts are looking for smaller venues," Vicari said. "Obviously if they can fill a stadium, they're going to. But there are a lot of (acts), they go to DTE; there's 5,000 people there and it looks lost.

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Freedom Hill Amphitheatre's comeback kicks off with Huey Lewis and the News; venue closed in 2009