Birmingham’s new Coca-Cola Amphitheater — touted by organizers as a “fan-friendly, artist-ready, state-of-the-art” concert venue — is almost ready for its first show.

Work crews could be seen on Friday morning at the site, 2350 15th Ave. North, finishing up some final tasks before the outdoor venue opens to the public. The 9,300-capacity amphitheater will make its debut on Sunday, June 22, presenting comedian Matt Rife.

READ: Coca-Cola Amphitheater parking, tickets, shuttles, cell phones: What to know for first show

Movers and shakers behind the $46 million project showcased the amphitheater on Friday — just two days before the first act takes the stage — during a pre-opening ceremony.

(See photos of the Coca-Cola Amphitheater and ceremony in the gallery at the top of this post.)

Representatives from the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Live Nation and Coca-Cola Bottling Company United were on hand, along with city and state officials. The BJCC owns the amphitheater, which is managed by concert giant Live Nation. Coca-Cola United signed a 10-year deal for naming rights at the amphitheater for an undisclosed sum.

Scott Register of Birmingham Mountain Radio, a radio host and longtime tastemaker on the local music scene, served as master of ceremonies at Friday’s event. Register, a former organizer for Birmingham’s City Stages festival, said he’d long dreamed of seeing concerts at a downtown amphitheater, and marveled that the idea was about to become a reality.

“I can remember back during the City Stages days, standing downtown in front of, I believe, the HealthSouth Stage or one of the stages smack dab in the middle of the site,” Register said. “(Concert promoter) Gary Weinberger was with me, and we were looking around and I think Gary just said, ‘You know, it would be amazing to have an amphitheater downtown.’ I just sat there for a second like, ‘Yeah, I can’t imagine being downtown, the buildings, looking up at the stars, it would be amazing.’ That was just kind of a comment in passing, but somebody was listening. It took a few years, but it’s happening.”

The Coca-Cola Amphitheater replaces Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, a 10,500-seat venue in Pelham, about 17 miles south of Birmingham. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, also owned by Live Nation, was sold to the City of Pelham earlier this year. Demolition of the site started in May, making way for a new community hub and expansion of the city’s arts and entertainment district.

Live Nation has announced nearly 30 shows for the Coca-Cola Amphitheater’s first season, ranging from Rod Stewart to Phish to T-Pain. Artists such as James Taylor, Pantera, the Alabama Shakes, Jason Isbell, Nelly, Luke Bryan, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Aldean and Hardy are on the agenda, as well, playing June through October.

Live Nation also announced a partnership with Birmingham-based nonprofit organization KultureCity, making the Coca-Cola Amphitheater a sensory-inclusive venue.

Jay Wilson of Live Nation was part of the hoopla at Friday’s ceremony, praising the amphitheater as “a place where major tours will stop and where this community will come together to make lasting memories.” Wilson called the overall project a “herculean effort” and said it was eight years in the making.

“I’m so proud of what our huge team has built — a fan-first, artist-ready, state-of-the-art amphitheater designed by our own Blueprint Studios with one goal: To deliver unforgettable live music experiences,” Wilson said. “This venue is for the people of Birmingham. We’re honored to be part of this city’s story and we can’t wait to welcome you to a show.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin predicted the amphitheater would become “a huge entertainment and revenue driver for our city” and an important step toward revitalizing the surrounding neighborhoods, known as Northside and Druid Hills.

“What really excites me, everybody, is that seeing the new energy and seeing the investment in what this is all about,” Woodfin said. “Because in the past eight years, we have bolstered our strength as a sports and entertainment destination. We’ve hosted sold-out concerts, NCAA tournaments, the Magic City Classic, the Supercross motorcycle race, the Indy Grand Prix and we’ll soon have the Police and Fire Games. But every great experience, for a fan or a performer, a promoter, a team or competition, builds on our reputation and makes us more attractive for the next event — and the next event and the one after that.”

Tad Snider, chief executive officer of the BJCC, recalled a ceremonial groundbreaking for the amphitheater that took place about a year ago — “12 months, three weeks and four days ago” — and promised “world-class entertainment” for residents of Birmingham and beyond. During a previous event at the amphitheater site, Snider had emphasized that construction was on track for an opening in late June.

Wardine Alexander, president pro tem of the Birmingham City Council, also chimed in with kudos on Friday, pointing to the Magic City as a cultural beacon for Alabama.

“The amphitheater is just the latest example of Birmingham making progress and doing big things,” Alexander said. “So today, I think we’ve reminded everyone that Birmingham has, and always will be, the cultural soul of Alabama. So goes Birmingham, so goes the entire state.”