Fantastic experience.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 4Entry Process: 4
Venue Staff: 3
ADA Services: 4
Parking: 4
Sightlines
Staff
Great area
Perfect sound
Tiered standing/sitting
List goes on and on
GET TO THE EASTERN
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Entry Process: 4
Venue Staff: 5
ADA Services: 5
Parking: 3
Been seeing shows here since ‘88. Once great, now a corporate cash grab that has ruined the sound and sight for anyone sitting above the 10th row in the 200 level. Limited ability to easily move about the venue as everything is now a seat. 20 yrs ago this place was perfect and Dolan destroyed with the bridges.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 4Entry Process: 4
Venue Staff: 3
ADA Services: 4
Parking: 1
Easily the best venue on the east coast, it’s not even close. Beautiful setting, friendly staff/security that welcomes you, wonderful sight lines from anywhere inside, great sound from anywhere inside, onsite camping, local and affordable beer/food options, communal area to hang out inside venue. I can’t say enough good things about this place and it boggles the mind that phish hasn’t made this a permanent 3-4 day stop every single year. It just keeps getting better and is one of the very few venues where you truly feel welcome.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
ADA Services: 4
Parking: 5
Open since May 2024, Umbra has gone from little known secret to an absolute Bushwick mainstay. It is the definitive spot to go hear high quality no-cover music in Brooklyn. From jazz fusion to prog, to synth-pop, reggae, and more the booking team is bringing top-tier talent to the stage.
And let’s not forget about the dynamite food and drink. The new full bar menu tantalizes and accentuates the desire for sweet, sour, strong and bold all in cocktail form with specific dedications to significant bands in the two owners lives. With a fresh Spring ’25 food menu coming it’s time to come check out (if you haven’t already) the venue know as Umbra.
https://www.umbrabrooklyn.com/
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
ADA Services: 5
Parking: 4
I just saw Shadowgrass play here after the Billy show this weekend, and I had a blast! I liked the easy access to the smoking balcony, and the venue itself is super nice! Will definitely be back.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 4Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
ADA Services: 5
Parking: 5
Just a block down from its big sister the Tennessee Theater. Parking is easiest in a small lot next door or behind the TN Theater. Lots of bars and restaurants a few blocks away. Hotels as well.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
Parking: 5
There are 2 venues here, an auditorium and a hockey rink/coliseum where you can catch the Ice Bears and a wiener dog race. (2 different entrances) I gave it 3 stars as an avg. The auditorium gets 4.5 stars and the ice rink gets 1.
Auditorium- Nice. security is typical for either side. No complaints.
Coliseum- If you like minimal design, standing on an ice rink, and poor acoustics, this is your venue!
Bad audio bouncing off the walls? Check. Long beer lines? Got those too.
It is what it is, but the coliseum is my least preferred venue in Knoxville.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 3Entry Process: 3
Venue Staff: 3
Parking: 3
Beautiful theater with easy parking, and tons of things to do just steps away.
They often open bars upstairs and downstairs so you don’t always have to use the one in the lobby.
Not a bad seat in the house really.
Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
ADA Services: 5
Parking: 5
* I’ve only ever been here for Widespread Panic shows. That’s still around 30 times so…
1st. It’s not near anything. We’ve almost always taken a part bus from Midtown.
Security is typical for this size and our world today.
The lot scene is lively, in the colder months the wind blowing in across the lake can be brutal.
Inside is usually a free for all.
Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
ADA Services: 4
Parking: 5
The Ryman is a one of a kind venue, steeped in history and lore. Every music lover should see a show here at some point.
Park in a nearby garage. There are food options all around. A food court is across the street 1 block up the hill.
Sound quality and sightlines diminish as you move back under the balcony. The seating is in church pewes that were made when Americans were much smaller. Don’t try to smoke inside.
Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 4
Parking: 3
Let’s start with the positives. The Wonder Ballroom gets good acts. It is located in a central part of Portland where there are lots of restaurants and bars around and it is easy to get to from anywhere in Portland. Parking is limited and tough to come by and is all street parking. There is a bar and restaurant (Cliff’s) located underneath the venue, so that is very convenient. The staff is friendly enough. Not as unfriendly as some Pdx venues but not as friendly as others. The venue is also a decent size. Not too small and not too big.
Once inside the venue, there are 2 bar areas. One downstairs and one upstairs where there is some seating and space to stand. There is no space to sit downstairs. Actually there are 3 bars is you count Cliff’s in the basement. My biggest complaint about this venue is that it’s hard to find a good spot to post up. There is a staircase going downstairs to the bar right in the middle of the dancefloor. That makes things kind of awkward. If the show is an all ages show, they separate both sides between drinking and non drinking. This is a nice gesture for the youngsters but if you are wanting to imbibe the drinking side gets extremely crowded. It makes things feel awkward as well and doesn’t provide the venue with a nice flow.
The floor, like at many venues is not graded at all. If you are in the back, it can be hard to get a good sight line if you’re not 6’2 or over. The sound never seems that great in this venue as well. For some reason, this venue encourages people to be extra chatty. Not sure if it’s the venue or the sound just isn’t that great and you can notice it too easily.
The drink selection is decent but not great. The upstairs bar has a full bar while the downstairs bar has limited options. There is the aforementiond bar downstairs as well, so there are technically 3 bars. There is an area outside the downstairs bar where people can go to smoke.
I’ve seen many good shows at the Wonder Ballroom but I’m never excited when I hear a band is playing there. It’s not so bad where you would necessarily forego a show there but it’s definitely not the type of venue that is going to draw you in because it’s a cool, great place to see a show. It’s just not that type of place. There are some really good restaurants right around that area though such as Cafe Olli.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 3Entry Process: 4
Venue Staff: 3
Parking: 2
I’m about halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga , and I love catching shows at Barrelhouse Ballroom. It’s a small venue attached to a brewery where you can catch still catch shows for a reasonable price!
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 4Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
Parking: 5
Great staff, incredible sound system!
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Entry Process: 5
Venue Staff: 5
ADA Services: 5
Parking: 5
If you’re looking for a great spot to catch live music in Portland, check out Revolution Hall. This beautifully refurbished former high school from the 1920s holds about 500 people in its elegant auditorium. With at least two bars open at all times—plus an upstairs bar with city views when the weather’s nice—you’ll have plenty of options to enjoy some tasty pub food while you soak in the vibes.
Parking is decent, with a lot off 14th Street and street options available, but it’s wise to arrive early for the best spots, especially for general admission shows. Traffic can be a bit tricky, so planning ahead is key. The sound system is excellent, and the friendly staff makes for a welcoming atmosphere. Overall, it’s a fantastic venue for live music!
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Venue Staff: 5
Parking: 4
Inconsiderate staff unwilling to do anything to assist. Lack of adequate bathroom facilities.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 3Entry Process: 1
Venue Staff: 1
ADA Services: 1
Night one was able to bring in a clear empty water bottle. Night 2 5 minutes before entry it was announced all water bottles would be taken. Water was $8 inside the venue, absolutely crazy!
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 4Entry Process: 3
Venue Staff: 2
ADA Services: 3
Parking: 3
ADA policies & accommodations are horrible! A 2 stall bathroom on level 3 where most ADA seating is location. One handicap stall in larger bathrooms on other levels which are accessible by stairs or . one tiny elevator that holds 5 patrons, 4 if you get three venue staff lady that brings a chair to sit on so she can push the buttons.
The security are the rudest ever! At the detectors a staff said my purse was one inch over size. My daughter points to my cane and said my medical needs were in there. He literally took my purse off the table and Walked Outside to his supervisor! Took My Purse, with my ID, Meds & Back Card, etc! Didn’t ask, just left! Then came back & informed me tough luck. My daughter shoved in her leggings and re-entered elsewhere. Screaming like Nazis “Hats Off!” walking to the metal detectors. Just incase someone was gonna pull a rabbit out of their hat. Security standing every 10 feet patrolling the terrace screaming in my ear to everyone on 2 city blocks, “LIghting up or using a vape will get you ejected!” I’d had out too many times. Finally turned to one & said “Bitch, there’s no reason to scream right in my ear. This is not a jail rec yard & we are not prisoners. We are paying patrons!
Entry Process: 1
Venue Staff: 1
ADA Services: 1
Parking: 3
All staff at the venue seemed unhappy to be there. My few interactions they were rude. Search aggressively at the door with pat down and metal detector. No re-entry and nowhere to smoke, period until after the show – they even had staff babysitting the bathroom. I was up front and the security up there just stood and watched us dancing and sweating our asses off and did not pass out the case of water. Very aggressive about smoking indoors.
Only upsides, really, are that Lotus put on an excellent show and it was GA ticketing.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 4Entry Process: 1
Venue Staff: 1
ADA Services: 1
Parking: 2
Great venue
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Entry Process: 3
Venue smokes.
Ratings (Scale of 1-5) Sound: 5Entry Process: 5
ADA Services: 5
Parking: 5
This is an awesome venue right on the water. It was very clean inside and entering was very organized. I think they have done a lot of work inside in the past few years. It appeared to be updated and current. It was cool to see people playing corn hole inside on a green turf area. It’s definitely an enjoyable place to see a concert on a night with good weather.
A beautiful place!
This place is terrible. They will confiscate your lighters and tobacco. There is no place to smoke and the staff are crazy. They take the lids off your water bottle and when you find one and they see it is basically like you have committed the ultimate crime. I had the lady stop me and interrogate me on where I got the water bottle over and over in my face. This place is weird and causes you PTSD from the crazy rules enforced terribly by the people that work there.
Great thing about this venue is that they are real laid back about seating. They have a smoking court that is a rooftop terrace that has great views and is still part of the venue so you can walk out and right back in without having to have a stamp or anything as it is only accessible from being inside the venue. There are bathrooms everywhere which is great. The floor is only accessible by going down the ramp in one place. The venue goes in a circle so eventually if you keep walking you end up where you need to be. Staff is nice and food is similar to a sports venue.
First off, make sure you don’t get confused between all the different Talking Stick entities. There is a Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale. This is not the music venue. Also, the basketball arena is Talking Stick Resort Arena. Also, not the music venue. They are not close to each other. The music venue is kind of in the middle of nowhere. Leaving the parking lot takes a long time due to gridlock. Here’s my tip for parking. On South east corner of 79th Ave and McDowell. There is a free public Park-and-Ride lot right there run by Valley Metro. 1509 N 79th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85035 United States. Park there and walk to the venue. If you decide to take an Uber or Lyft the wifi reception at the venue is fine. The pavilion at the venue is relatively small and the lawn is pretty huge. Not a whole lot of character like most ampitheaters. As it gets super hot in Phoenix there are lots of misters in the vending area. The vending is near the stage which they keep lit up, which is kind of distracting during the show. Also, you are allowed to bring water into the show in sealed containers. You can bring up to one gallon containers but make sure they are not frozen solid. If so, they will confiscate it. Another pro move is stopping at Ta Carbon for tacos before the show. Pretty legit. If you really want to make an epic night, try to make early dinner reservations at Bacanora in downtown Phoenix. Reservations fill up quickly.
Very solid southern venue with amazing brews to boot.
First off, I’ll start with the basic, non-exciting stuff such as parking. There are lots of garages all around. Lots of street parking too. There are a good amount of bars in the area. So, it’s a good idea to go early, park and pre-funk at a local bar. I’ll suggest some later. There is also metered parking all around the area. On Sunday you don’t have to pay the meters. Garage across the street has fluctuating pricing based on how popular the event is. Anywhere from $5 to $30. ParkOmaha app is useful to download. You can load your payment info in there to make things easier on day of show.
As for the actual venue, it is shaped like a bowl. There is some elevation behind the floor, so sight lines are pretty decent. The venue is a big barn with a flat concrete area near the stage. There is a step up on the sides and back and there is a balcony. The balcony has actual seats. GA main floor is all standing. In the balcony area, there are restrooms up there and a couple of bars and a private balcony area. It’s extra money to be in the balcony but I think it’s worth it.
As for the staff, in my experience they have been very friendly. They genuinely seemed like they wanted us to have a good time. There is a nice patio area to chill between sets. They also pump the sound from the show into the lobby which is a nice touch.
The sound in the venue is very solid, both from the floor and the balcony.
Restrooms were clean and plentiful. Lines for drinks are not bad as they are well staffed.
The venue is in the Old Market area of Omaha which has some cool shops and some cool spots to eat and drink. The Nite Owl is a great spot that has solid food and great drinks and good vibes. They are open late too which is nice. Tupelo Honey is a great spot for Southern food. V. Mertz is a good spot, though a little on the speedier side. Same thing with Gather. Ciao Vino is a good spot for Italian food. Jams is another cool spot with creative cocktails and solid food. Clio for Mediterranean food. Upstream Brewing Company is another cool spot if you’re looking for a brewery. Omaha Tap House is a laid-back sports bar with real good pub fare.
Overall, Steelhouse is a great venue with a lot going for it. Accessible, clean, great sound, friendly staff and great amenities. Welcome addition to the Omaha music scene which should attract some good acts.
One of the best venues in Chicago . Great restaurant connected gives it a hipster vibe. Small enough to see the stage from anywhere. Right in Pilsen so plenty to do before and after your show there.
Very bad sound, especially on the floor. They sell very cheap tickets through promotions to non-sold out shows which brings in a lot of “casual” concert goers who tend to talk and yell since they don’t necessarily care about the artist. Parking is far away. They are Live Nation and stole all the good acts from Westville Music Bowl which is 100X better venue.
Go to the Odells’ beer booth for $5 12 ounce lagers. Finding this saved me at least $70 over the two day run.
The Sphere is the best and coolest concert venue I’ve ever been to, it is a whole new way of experiencing your favorite band. The huge screen and circular design make The Sphere unlike any other venue in the world. The Sphere has excellent sound from side to side and front to back throughout the 100, 200, 300 and 400 levels. In my opinion the best views of the entire screen is in the GA, lower 100, 200, 300 and 400 levels. Some of the other rad and unique features of the Sphere include the design of the building and speaker system, excellent sight lines of the band from all over, seats that vibrate, a grand concourse with one of the longest escalators in the World and did I mention that massive screen?!?! While being the coolest venue in the World there are still a few downsides. If you are behind row 20 in the 100 level your view of the giant screen will be obstructed up to 70-80% but the views of the band are great from anywhere. And a few of the upper rows in the 200 level have slightly obstructed views of the screen as well. Like most venues, the rows of seats don’t allow much room for over expressive dancing but you have a huge screen of coolness to look at and the seats do vibrate. Also the 300 and 400 levels can get steep which may also hinder your dancing. The security will let people go take quick pictures of the screen in the aisles but besides that they like to keep the aisles clear. There is not much room to dance or stand in the aisles. The bathroom lines do get long at times (and I heard some people got kicked out for using the wrong bathroom so I don’t recommend doing that). The price of parking at the Sphere varies for each show ($60-$100), walking or taking a ride share is recommended. And there was no Shakedown parking lot for the Phish shows. The entrance at the Bridge Entrance on the west side of the Sphere can get very congested at times and take over 15-20 minutes to get in. The security screening is very light, just remove items from pockets and walk through scanners. Overall it will be one of the coolest and most unique concert experiences in your life. I highly recommend seeing anyone you can there. Have a great show and stay safe.
The only negative thing I experienced at the Sphere is that there are not enough bathrooms. The lines got a little ridiculous at times. Also, security doesn’t really let you chill in the venue post show very long. Water is sold in a very cold, metallic type bottle that is $7. They take the bottle tops of the water though there are cup holders on each seat.
I recently saw Phish here. The sound is loud and crystal clear. The whole facility is new and most every detail was well thought out. Our seats were in section 310 row 4. There were amazing views from this section. The one downside is that it was hard to see the band. This doesn’t matter so much at the Sphere where most of one’s focus is on the music and the visuals. Plentiful options all around the venue for food and drinks. They even sell hard cider at the Taphaus on the first floor. The staff was friendly and super helpful. There are escalators to get to the upper sections which are really long, steep and kind of cool because there is cool artwork around the venue. Entering through the Venetian walkway proved to be the easiest option for us. Shorter lines and once it is super hot outside in Vegas it should be helpful but may get pretty crowded.
This is the way music should be experienced. Truly mind blowing. Staff is friendly. Facilities are clean. Seating/standing is ample. Easy to get a beverage (in person or self serve).
This is the future of live music! The venue is nothing short of magic. The sound is unparalleled, staff was courteous and helpful, the atmosphere inside is unlike any other place on earth.
Sell your shoes and see anything you can here. Preferably The Phish from Vermont.
The obstructed view in the back of the 100s is a very slight bummer, but it is close to the stage and the sound is better than I’ve heard at any other large venue.
Sound is unparalleled!
The Yuengling Center is good in the ADA rating. Seats are fantastic & they hold the unsold ones for anyone who might need them but didn’t purchase ADA seating (until well into the concert.). Everything is conveniently located. I’d have given them 5 stars it the staff hadn’t made the older couple next to me who got up to stretch grit legs, get back in their seats. The staff were rude about it & should at least give them 5 minutes of standing before they politely ask them to sit. They were in their 80s & certainly not blocking the aisle by any means, leaning against a back wall. The staff who greeted us to find our seats, on the other hand, were extremely friendly and courteous. My only other recommendation to this arena is an east fix. Provide cup holders in ADA seating like the rest of the arena. There a rail that would be so easy to attach something to during the event. With the overall good experience, I recommend this venue for anyone on the fence who has mobility challenges.
Incredible venue, beautiful setting, perfect acoustics. Only downside is traffic in and out, but it’s worth it
Great sound, super friendly staff, best venue on the planet. Lucky to have this as our hometown go to for music.
Parking around the venue is limited (there is some free street parking down Lawrence Ave and some paid parking lots and meter spots close by as well), using public transportation or ride share services are recommended. Getting into the venue can take time, depending on when you arrive and how many people are attending the show, the security to get in is semi-light as you just walk through metal detectors. Multiple levels of floor space on the lower level make for solid sight lines and sound quality throughout. The balcony has seating and offers good views and sound. Plenty of bar options throughout the venue. Band merchandise is available in the lobby area.
I always had a good time here.
I always had a good time here.
A nice venue up in the mountains. My only complaint is it gets a little packed for most shows since it’s a small venue and a lot of ski bros are there no matter the vibe since there’s limited entertainment options in the area.
Beautiful theater right in downtown Boulder. Parking can be a bit tough considering the location but shouldn’t be too hard to find a street spot. Search is very relaxed and the sound is very crisp whether on the floor, seats, or balcony.
I’ve seen about 15 shows at Shoreline, and it’s mostly a positive experience each time. Parking at Shoreline is FREE! You will be out in a big field, and leaving could take 45-60 minutes, but it’s free. If you’re boujee, you can park in the paved lot for about $75. Another big plus is you can bring food and water into the venue. Check the venue policies, but I always bring a liter per person, and a gallon bag of snacks/sandwiches. They are very strict about bags (backpacks) and chairs. The line to get in can be slow, but mainly because people try to bring disallowed bags. They have a bag check at the gate if you mess up. The food options are actually pretty varied and good in the venue, including some food trucks and a sushi place. Many, many drink options, which are pricey, but you’ll find what you want. (Not that long ago, you could bring a bottle of wine in…). The seated area is far superior to the lawn, which is massive. There are about 5-6k seats, and it’s usually worth spending extra. The sound on the lawn can be a little too quiet for my taste. A note about the weather: summertime in Mountain View is perfect, sunny and breezy. It might get cool at night, but it will not rain. If you’ve had bad experiences at East coast or Midwest outdoor shows, it won’t happen here. (could be smoky, tho). Getting out can be slow, there’s no public transport nearby, and the parking lots can be congested afterwards. If you’re up for it, walk to the Sports Page after, have a few, and then Uber home a bit later!
My favorite venue in the Bay area, or anywhere else, in fact. Great sound throughout. I prefer the floor area, which has multiple levels to provide good sight-lines. Also, at least 4 bars right in the floor area. Usually the floor is GA without seats, but can be seated for certain shows. The upstairs also has good sound and comfortable seating, if that’s your thing. The Fox has a classic Eastern-inspired decor that I would describe as LUSH. Staff is efficient and friendly, as you’d expect at a place that hosts the everything from folk to metal. Bathrooms are clean and big enough for the crowd. Upstairs bathrooms have an odd antechamber for some reason. Drinks and food are good and somewhat expensive, but not outside of what you’d expect. Parking in Oakland is mixed. Often I’ve parked in an open lot for $5. If there’s a festival or event on Telegraph, parking can be very tough, best to use BART. I’ve never had to wait more than a few minutes to get in.
After you purchase tickets you can call the box office and reserve one of the limited tables.
Best place in Chicago for an outside show. Only negative is hard to get an Uber when you leave so be prepared for a long walk.
Great time on lawn! Easy getting around inside. Awesome lot and Shakedown. Not great parking situation.
Amazing!
Overall a very solid venue. The Deschutes River runs right next to the venue. Good sound. Very comfortable and clean. Basically a big lawn though sometimes chairs are set up depending on the artist. Lots of shops, restaurants and drinking establishments within walking distance to the venue. Not much is open after the show as Bend is a pretty sleepy town for late night shenanigans. Good food and drink options inside the venue. They sell (overly sweet) cider for the non gluten folks. Security is generally friendly but can be sticklers for silly bag policies at times.
Great, small venue in the mountains that gives you a lot of freedom of movement during the show.
Fantastic experience across the board. Water stations everywhere and there is no single use plastic anywhere on site.
This iconic venue holds a capacity of 2,750 people, which makes seeing a band like Widespread Panic an intimate and special experience. Entry was a welcoming vibe and an easy going endeavor. After security took a quick peek into my small bag and with a confirmation that my (metal) water bottle was empty, I was ushered in with smiles and sentiments of “Enjoy the show.” Will do. Given the size of the venue, it is relatively easy to make your way to your seat. The winding staircase featured in the image on this site leads you to the mezzanine and balcony. There are bars on every level, with restrooms and water fountains situated in accessible locations on each floor. However, there are currently no water stations for water bottles. This could be a worthy feature to update to accommodate the times. Given the venue size I assumed that there would not be a bad view in the house…that is, until I got to my seat (which was super easy to find). Balcony 6, Row G, Seat 402 is stage left, with a view from the left side, corner of the stage. I had an aisle seat. Unfortunately, the stacked, suspended speakers blocked the view of two band members (JB and Jojo). This was definitely not going to work out. Since this was my seat for two days, I had to make other accommodations both nights, which also led to last minute searches on Cash or Trade. I’m not sure if this was a feature of the band or the venue, a local might elaborate more here. Since it is such a small venue and a sold out show, it was bit tricky finding room elsewhere. Fortunately, there were old friends all about the venue and new friends with good vibes accommodated making some room. The first night, we landed in the front row of Balcony 5 (still Schools side), where there was a clear view of every band member (as it should be). The only caveat was that the railing was quite low (for a 5’5″ female, it was below hip height). As we returned to our seats with a drink from the bar or water from the water fountain, there were often reminders to “Be careful” and if friends inched too close you were compelled to remind them to “Step back a bit.” Not a big deal, but worth noting. I found myself in Balcony 3 on the second night, an aisle “seat” between Balcony 2 and 3. If you pull up a seating chart, you’ll see that rows 401 stagger in from the aisle. The reason for the this is due to a pillar, which also exists between Balcony 3 and 4, and Balcony 4 and 5. The staggered seating attempts to avoid sabotaging site lines, but there’s literally no way around it. Pull up the seating chart and avoid the rows directly behind those apparent voids. Despite this somewhat irritating feature, there is a quaint little dancing space directly in front of those pillars. I called it home on N2 with not only great site lines to the band, but also to my friends so near. Despite these slight challenges to overcome, we had a blast. Thank you WSMFP for the sick 4/22/23 show and The Moody Theater for hosting another joyous occasion.
Wry fun venue. Nothing too special. Cervantes is great because of the acts they bring there. Has an outdoor section for smoking and a smaller venue that connects the main room to the smoking section. They will usually run 2 shows at a time. A ticket to the main show usually gets you access to the other one, but always check with the box office first.
The Boulder Theater is great. The shows end early (11:30) because Boulder gonna Boulder. Great aesthetic. Good sound. Good staff. The upstair straying is great. Get there early and get a front row balcony seat because everything is first come first serve. The area is beautiful and Boulder has some fun things within walking distance to do before and after the show.
Overall, First Bank Center is a good venue. I have no complaints with it. It’s a larger venue, so the sound is going to be better on the floor by the sound board. Security is lax for the shows I’ve seen there (Goose, WSP). Getting onto the floor is first-come first-serve, and you need a wristband to get onto it. Staff will pass out wristbands in the lines outside the venue so be sure to keep an eye out for those.
Camden is a good venue for lawn tickets. I’ve seen many shows over the years here and it has great sound all the way to the back of the lawn. Also amazing views of Phili both during the day and night. Just be careful exiting the venue and follow the venue staff’s directions.
This is a HOB so the layout is typical to that–open floor surrounded by balcony with bars on the sides. It’s a cool spot inside but it’s weird to be in the Disney complex mindset. If you’re not into the Disney thing, it feels like strip mall. But I guess all of that area does anyway so it’s not that different. But it’s like being at the mall.
Red Rocks! It’s just an epic venue unlike anything else. I’ve seen more shows than I can count starting in 1999 with the Allman Bros. It’s not EASY–this venue is sort of high maintenance–but it’s really, really worth it. Parking is far away, it’s hard to get an Uber at the end of the show, there are A LOT of stairs and walking, but in the end there is nothing like seeing a show in between those two behemoth rocks.
If you really care about sound, anything above row 35 can be tricky. Sometimes it’s fine but if the wind is whipping through there the sound can just get carried away. But, there are benefits of being up high, like seeing the city lights. I was there last year when The Avs won the Stanley Cup and I could see fireworks erupting all over the city. I’ve also been up there when storms roll in and watched the lightning come our way. It’s all breathtaking.
Overall, be ready to walk a lot (there is a shuttle to get up to the gates if you need it, but still a lot of walking inside. If you’re at all compromised, get a handicapped access ticket and feel no guilt). Bring a rain coat!! (Yes, always.) Up top near the bathrooms there is a cool “museum” with posters and such. Sort of cool to look at.
If you haven’t been, GO! ASAP! It’s a bucket list venue for sure.
Red Rocks is a bucket list venue fo sho. Some would argue it is the best venue ever. It is hard to argue that point. While at the venue, you are immersed in beautiful nature, with beautiful views while listening to great music. It is easy to move about the venue to meet up with your crew. Most shows are GA here, though not all are. PSA: flat landers/out of towners should take note of the altitude. The venue is an elevation above 6k which can lead to sunburn, dehydration and such, especially if you’re drinking all day. Also, be prepared to get a workout while seeing a show there. One should bring a raincoat, sunscreen and layers as the venue is in the Colorado foothills where the weather can change fast. It is not uncommon for a rainstorm to roll through unexpectedly. That being said, when everything is right on the Rocks, there is nowhere you would rather be. There is a reason there have been so many legendary shows at this venue.
The Bowl is a legendary venue that missed the mark on a few important facets. Great view and vibes, but the sound in the upper half of the venue is quite bad.
The Hollywood Bowl is iconic for a reason! Such a great venue and really amazing concert experience. This is one spot you do not want to miss seeing a show at.
From Maestro Alfred Hertz (“The Father Of The Bowl”) conducting Wagner to Phish’s 2023 Wolfman’s Brother > Ruby Waves, the Hollywood Bowl has been melting SoCal faces for more than 100 years.
The views are amazing, the sound is pristine, and the weather is perfect. You don’t have to eat at the venue, though you’d be wise to enjoy a set break soft serve.
Screen shots have made stubbing down very easy. The venue discourages vending, so not a big scene, but you can still find things.
Park at the Ovation Mall, it isn’t too costly and you can wobble around Hollywood Blvd. lookin at stars after your show.
Notes from attendee of Avett Bros at the Caverns this past weekend.
“Now that I’m back with a solid internet connection, I’ll gather some thoughts/answer questions that were asked on my experience over the weekend at the redesigned/new outdoor Caverns Amphitheater.
(1) A staffer told us this was the biggest crowd they’d had yet (it was sold out), and they seemed not totally prepared for it. Lines to get in were very long. Everyone now enters via the back of the venue through a path in the woods instead of up that gravel road by the actual cavern (I think they said it’s 0.2 miles through the woods.) That got pretty congested. From parking to getting in the venue took 40 mins (two security checks). Getting out was super congested. I just sat in my camp chair for a while and waited on things to thin out before even trying to get to my car.
(2) If you have a GA ticket, get there early if you’re determined to get a good spot…it’s not huge and I sat in the back and didn’t mind that, but I know some folks are super keen to be as close as possible. While facing the stage ALL services are to the left side of the venue. All concessions, all restrooms, merch, etc. I was sitting on the right and liked that vantage point and this was fine while the sun was up but was a nightmare after the sun set. It’s not like an amphitheater lawn with an even grade, the terrain is totally unpredictable and was a pain in the a** to navigate in the dark as you’re stepping around people, chairs, blankets, etc. You’d think you were avoiding a person only to stumble upon a black chair you didn’t even see and nearly bust your a**. Hopefully they’ll make an illuminated path that has to be kept clear between the two sides.
(3) The views are great, the sound was great.
(4) I was planning on driving home after the Sunday Gizzard show, but now, I don’t know about that. I’ll probably try to get a room somewhere because it was about two hours after the show ended until I got back to my hotel ten miles away. Granted, a good portion of that was sitting in my camp chair next to my car, but I’d rather listen to music and have a beer in a field than sit in a barely moving car for over an hour.
(5) Phone connectivity is an issue. All of the venue’s stuff is hardwired so there was no issue using credit cards with them, but I had trouble with the food trucks and other mobile vendors. Having some cash on hand would probably be a good idea. One vendor was super cool and gave me food after swiping my card like ten times and not being able to establish a connection.
(6) They’re the only venue I’ve ever seen where some security not identified as cops are carrying guns. Seems excessive and weird to me. Everybody I’ve ever met working there is super nice, but that gives me the creeps a little tbh.
(7) Wear shoes you’re okay with getting dirty. Pretty much everything out there is natural surface. They put a bunch of sand/woodchips down on the path in, but I guess it’d rained recently and it was pretty muddy in spots. I wore hiking boots and was prepared, but I saw some folks lamenting their footwear choices.
(8) I’m sure this is all just growing pains and I imagine that they’ll have some the new wrinkles ironed out by the time Gizz gets there, but just thought I’d provide a heads up of what possibly lies in store
I had a great time, I do think it’s well run overall and am not just trying to put a list of gripes out there. I’m confident they’ll work a lot of this out, but I figure folks would want to be as prepared as possible and know a few tips to improving your experience there.”
A little tight if you wanted a bigger room, but so intimate that you can talk to the band on the way to the restroom.
Overall experience is great. This is a historic venue for a reason. First off, the theater is located on the beautiful campus of UC Berkeley. The venue oozes with nostalgia as there have been some historic Grateful Dead shows played here and many others I’m sure. It is a relatively small venue (8K) and it feels very intimate. The faux Greek pillars on the stage give the stage its iconic character and a special charm.
The vibe is very chill as is it can be in the Bay Area. The whole venue is GA which makes it a lot easier to catch the show with your buddies. It also means you need to get in line very early for a show with a rabid fanbase such as Phish. I got in line at 3 p.m. and was still very far back in line. Good thing some friends were in line early and saved some good seats. The whole venue has a steep pitch which can sort of make you feel like you are really looking down at the stage. It’s so steep that it’s a good idea to keep your wits about you. The price of beer $14 ish makes that easier, though not too unexpected for the San Francisco area. Beer lines and restroom lines can get pretty long at times, so prepare accordingly.
At the top of the venue, there is a beautiful view of the bay, on a clear day. The lawn can get pretty steep though. The show I attended was in April. It was a beautiful day. It got relatively hot during the day and pretty cold by the end of the show. Something about the breeze off the bay gets right into your bones! The seats and floor are all concrete, so that may take its toll on your bones as well if you plan to boogie all night. Could just be that I’m getting old though!
Great indoor venue for the Twin Cities area. Located in St. Paul this venue is a counterpart to First Ave. The sound is incredible. Usually lots of room and great sight lines.
Great piece of southern music history right here y’all. You can’t spell Athens GA without The Georgia Theatre! A legendary kickass spot to catch live music. Stronger than ever since it burned down and was rebuilt. If you’re in Athens, swing by and then walk around town to soak up the Athens vibes — you never know who you’ll run into. Ha ha. Tee Hee.
Hard to beat an evening of live music at The Fox in the ATL. The legendary theater is glorious and a must experience venue. Right off the bat, it’s gorgeous on the inside — so you immediately know that if they put this much time into aesthetics; you can imagine the acoustics. Which are dialed in completely of course.
Good selection of beverages and a nice casual atmosphere outside the auditorium. Parking, well – it’s in the middle of downtown Atlanta, so you know — either public transit or Lyft is probably a wise move for convenience.
The free water at the drinking fountains tastes terrible.
If your in the lawn get into the venue early. If not you will probably not have a great view. Sound is barely adequate at this place imo. They do have convenient water filling stations throughout. Security always checks you so be smart. If you can afford seats I’d always go with that option if you can swing it. Some of the lots are a far walk from the venue so try and have a lot in mind or get directed by lot attendees to who knows where.
Many lots charge $40-$50 to park. If your not afraid of parking in the ghetto a block away for free do that and meet your friends in the lot to tailgate. This place always has good sound and a great view from the lawn. They don’t allow chairs you have to “rent” for $10. Only allow clear plastic bags and a small size at that. Don’t try and bring a backpack or even big purse cause you’ll be walking back to your car or shown to an expensive locker rental outside the venue. Bathrooms can be a walk so choose your song wisely. Be careful leaving at night if you did park in the ghetto and go straight back to the highway.
1. Parking: they charge anywhere from $10-$30 for parking. Pro-tip drive a block away and park on the street for a couple bucks.
2. Entry – security is very lax no troubles there but don’t be too ballsy I guess.
3. Nice lobby area during set break with bathrooms being standard wait time.
4. No Water Fountains! Even the sink in the bathroom puts out hot water if you want to refill your $6 water bottle. So drink up before you get in I suppose.
5. Anyone selling whip-it’s after is sketchy and fake don’t do it.
Free parking is great, but and this is an extraordinarily important but- pay for parking. You will lose literal years of your life departing this venue- you are 25 now, pay for parking.
I just spent 3 nights with Billy Strings at the Etess Arena. Security and venue staff were very nice and accommodating. There wasn’t much of a search going in – a benefit of legal NJ marijuana, I suspect. They allowed re-entry but you had to go back through security to get back in, so there were a lot of people outside smoking at setbreak.
I’m not a gambler, so the casino setting wasn’t really a plus for me. There is only one set of restrooms so if you have mobility issues, it’s best to try to get tickets to the right side of the venue, looking at the stage.
Miserable venue to get in and out of. Be prepared to spend a fortune on rideshare. Traffic in and out can take an hour. Lot is strict. No glass. Use cups and be aware of heavy undercover presence. Security is lax inside and food and drinks are super expensive and they stop selling early. Least favorite venue..
Clear bag policy enforced and now a cashless venue.
This venue was started by the Kesey Family. The security is a tad harsh about smoking weed in the venue despite cannabis being legal in Oregon. We have had friends ejected for smoking a vape. Despite that, getting into the venue is a breeze and the sound is pretty solid. It’s located in Downtown Eugene so there are a ton of really solid places to find food and grab good craft beers. It’s also right near the main bus station if you are coming old school on a Greyhound.
The Caverns Amphitheatre:
Overall:
The natural beauty of The Caverns Amphitheater and its massive stage create an epic concert setting. The venue is wide open with a ton of scenery. The open air feel, the lights in the trees, super friendly staff, and remote setting gives this venue a very high quality experience with any band. Personally, I’ve seen a lot of bands at this outdoor amphitheater and they have all been terrific, partly because the venue rocks.
This could, in a way, be the Snowmass Music Festival venue site of the South. Eerily similar in scenery and layout.
Ownership
This place is run by a bunch of good time loving hippies and business folks. They just want you to have safe fun and to come back anytime. Several years ago they use to have these big tyed dyed and painted buses that would drive people from the parking lots to the venue. It was wild. It was basically anything could go once your on the bus. The drivers were half drunk and stoned and had the music on 9. They don’t do it anymore, but if that gives you a picture of the kind of people that run the place..
Security (Entry)-
You could walk in with a potato sack of cocaine on on your left shoulder and a bong in your right hand while a small band of gypsies, beatniks, hippies, and warriors drag their tanks, rugs, and recliners and I’m pretty sure the “security” would wave you through. In essence, don’t worry about, but don’t be stupid about it.
Bathrooms-
Not great. You gotta walk all the way down the hill to use the bathroom. Think red rocks but with grass.
Sound
Sounds is terrific. Depends on the band but it is great listening from nearly anywhere in the venue.
Outside venue:
The lot scene is fun. Lots of room to move around and walk about. There are about 4 or 5 main parking lots, each connect through gravel walkways and roads. The venue is super lax on smoking grass, drinking, and getting kinda rowdy in the lot. Good times are always found in the lot scene at this venue, so get there early, bring your drinks, food and merch and have a blast!
The Ryman Auditorium is by far the area’s top venue. The sounds quality is nearly perfect from any seat, the venue staff are amazingly friendly and courteous, and the overall quality of the venue is very high as it is well maintained and protected with excellent maintenance.
Smoking-
All that being said, there is absolutely NO SMOKING OR VAPING anywhere in the venue. It is a strict policy…but really, when you enter the venue, you’ll acquire the respect for “Mother Church”. The access to the smoking areas is very easy and quick for anyone needing to grab a quick puff or the cig or whatever. Personally, we have used the smoking areas for years for our weed vape, standard one hitter pull, or just your quick cig. Security around the smoking area is present, but frankly they dont care, as long as your not sparking a full bowl with heady smoke rings.
Security-
Security is probably more stringent than most venues. It is a two part entry. First part is where you empty all your pockets into a plastic bin then you walk through a metal detector while someone stands there and watches you. It is a one-at-a-time passage and they have bene known to turn people away for simple possession or over sized bag. The second part is a walk from the metal detectors to the ticket people where you go inside one by one. It is very old school and they mean for it to be that way….That being said, we have snuck most items into the venue through the year without any problems. There is no pat down, no one is going to find your 5th under your shirt, bag in your pocket, or pocket of party favors. It is strictly a metal detector passage entry…smile, put “all” your possessions into the plastic thingy, and walk through non-chalantly and you’re good.
Bathroom- super nice, very clean. very well maintained. touchless handryers (dont pee on those thinking they are the new age urinals), they have locations upstairs and downstairs AND in the VIP area. Lines can go out the door but it won’t take long to get in and out.
Outside the Venue: There is always Broadway if you’re into that kind of thing, but directly across the street from the Ryman is a new place called the “assembly Food Hall”. They have it all….roof top bar/restaurant, multiple quick eateries, donuts, cocktails, chef food, gastro food…it is kinda a funland for adults, great spot for pre-show fun.
Do not attempt to walk from the venue to downtown. It’s farther than it seems and sketchy as hell.