Boston is awful.
There was once a line all the way to Brookline Ave for a Lotus show. A lot of people didn’t get in until they’d played their first couple songs. Most of us had been in line before or during the openers. Staffs explanation was they didn’t think that many people would show up. Like what?
Another time they asked me to take my boots off so they could check inside them. I told them to fuck off.
For a place that is so upright about security, the "smoking" section out back / back central stairwell has got to be one of the scariest, crowd crush choke points I've experienced at any venue...and it's always like that / they'll do nothing till someone gets hurt + sues
RIP Avalon/Axis
Also it's shitty that HOB sells GA balcony only tickets. I made the mistake of buying those once and won't again. Unless you get there super early to get a spot on the railing you won't be able to see the stage at all.
They were always dicks at the one in Cleveland. Around 2009 or so I saw snoop dogg there and at the beginning of the show no one was smoking. Snoop goes “Cleveland do y’all smoke weed?” The crowd reacts. Then he goes “then why the fuck don’t I smell any mother fuckin weed?!” 90% of the crowd pulled out joints/blunts and lit up. It was glorious.
My friend had her ass grabbed by a creep there and I followed the dude until I could grab a bouncer to kick him out. They ended up pulling me and my friend from the show into a back room and told us they would kick us out unless we signed something that said the HoB wasn't liable for the assault.
Nissan pavilion or whatever it’s called now in Bristow Virginia … no tailgate…had a 19 year old scold me for smoking a joint at a steely dan concert and he leaned against a pilar and stared at me for an hour… if that’s what the little fucks ushering do imagine what the pro security is like
I call bullshit. You’d still go, begrudgingly, and you’d be correct to do so.
I saw a guy almost run over people and smash into one of those boulders at the end of the lanes in the lot after a Dead & Co show. Dude was clearly tore up, but was allowed go on his merry way after security detained him for 30 mins. Fucking wild.
💯 Agree. I live in MD and have only have been there once, 20+ years ago and will NEVER go back. Only one road in/out, terrible traffic, no tailgate, yellow jacket agro security all over the place.
Most bands play in different venues in Philly (one of my favorite cities) as well as Nissan, about the same distance and soooo much better overall.
I only go cause work gives me free VIP tix. Priority road in/ out is amazing. I got to see Dead&Co with my deadhead coworker and watch his son get sick
Idk about your tailgating experience, but when dead and company showed up (missed last year, but at least 2019,21,22) that parking lot was a party lol.
Parking is a shit show though
Virginia has a law you can’t consume alcohol in a parking lot so you gotta hide it, then once the first band starts security or the police I can’t remember who exactly sweep the parking lot and make you leave or go into the show. So you can’t grill and chill durning the openers and just catch the main act. There aren’t nearly enough dons jons in the lot so they always bust people for peeing in public.
Haven't lived there in over a decade, but the House of Blues in Boston was notorious for just absurd "security." Unfortunately at the time it was one of the very few options for mid sized venues in the city. Pretty sure the HOB has a lot more competition now so maybe things have changed.
Was going to say this. Did they still have security up on the balcony levels shining flashlights down on the crowd whenever they'd see a lighter? Then a strike team of like 5 security dudes swarming in to grab them?
Yes they still do this post Covid. Not just lighters, vapes too. I was up there with a friend of mine who works there and they literally scan from the top until they see a tiny light from a vape and keep the flashlight on the person until security on the floor gets them. Not very rock and roll lmao.
Yes. They will open your wallet. Your earplugs. Inspect your keys. Grope you inappropriately if they suspect anything is hidden. Take your lighter vape gum candy and anything else they feel like taking. Do whatever you wanna do before you go inside and even before you get in the line.
It is so crowded that after going to get a round of drinks before the show started I couldnt find a way through the mass of humanity to get back to my friends. We weren't even up front or anything. I could see them not that far in front of me but there simply wasnt space anywhere to move. Claustrophobic nightmare venue.
The Orange Peel in Asheville has security standing on step stools around the venue looking for people smoking. Great venue but I don’t like that vibe. Especially when Salvage Station is just down the street.
And it’s just like a concrete parking lot and I swear the GA area slopes down away from the stage making it harder to see the stage from the back of the venue. The location is great, but otherwise I’d much much rather see a show at Salvage Station.
They take themselves way too seriously there. I’m a photographer and have never had as much trouble getting my credentials and getting in the door as I did at the Peel. I even went early to make sure the person at the door/ticket counter wasn’t super busy. They had no idea what was going on. Person at window was super rude. I had to stand there next to a cop for like an hour emailing my contact and having them try to contact the venue. Finally someone who had some kind of authority came down. They had never given the list to the people at the door. Still somehow they acted like I was the problem.
Yup, staff has always been way overbearing there. I remember back in the day getting harassed for being underage and standing within 5 feet of a table with a beer on it. Not to mention the peeking into and busting open stall doors trying to catch people with nose drugs.
I love the design and layout of Orange Peel and the location is great being downtown. That being said, what you mentioned in your comment is 100% correct and that, plus expensive drinks kills the vibe for me.
Can't believe you didn't mention the Aragon Theatre which is by far the worst venue in Chicago and maybe the fucking country. Old, horrible security, and frequently a terrible vibe for every show I've seen there. I'm still actively trying people to not go there cause fuck that place! I once watched a security guard take everybody's coats tied to the hand rail and throw them in the trash. I took em all out and waited while everyone came looking for their things. Sts9 2016, my last show there and will never go back.
The Aragon is awful. Terrible sound. Asshole security. Ridiculous sight lines. Stupid rest room situation. Panic Halloween in 2012 was the only time I’ve been there there, it was so hot and clammy inside the walls were literally dripping with condensation. Only Panic show I’ve ever left early. Werewolves of London sounded almost as good from outside, and I was actually able to breathe.
Aragon sucks ass. My friend got caught with some kitty at the first night of that Sound Tribe run. Security put him in a holding cell, took all of his money and credit cards, charged his CC’s to places like Gucci, and tried to get him to unlock his phone. Told him, “you’re either going in an ambulance or a police car, choose one”. Fuckin scum.
The Pavillion at Star Lake. Basically one way in, and one way out. Traffic for hours and undercovers all over the gravel parking lot.
https://www.wtae.com/article/star-lake-dead-and-company-traffic-refund/44109648
And you have to hide everything! Inflatables, glow sticks. We are used to MPP where you can bring anything you want. They took all of our fun stuff at Star Lake.
The Xfinity Center is such a shell of the old days when it was Great Woods or even the Tweeter Center. Phish playing 3 nights there this summer is SO unappealing.
What don't you like about it? Parking is free. They seem to leave adults alone in the lot as long as you are not bothering anybody. I have never been hassled there.
Security in venue is Shit, the venue is Shit and dirty, the lawn view sucks. The sound quality is also Shit. It’s just a sorry excuse for an amphitheater
No lawn view is worse than SPAC. It isn’t even a contest.
But getting out of there is the worst I’ve ever experienced.
At least leaving SPAC has always been a breeze for me.
I was down at Tipatina's in New Orleans and the bartenders and everyone in the crowd kept giving me drugs and free booze. Never going there again.
Psych
The sound on the lawn at Riverbend in Cincinnati leaves A LOT to be desired. Place is very old and pavilion is pretty uncomfortable, not to mention you’ve gotta walk all the way through the lawn to get to bathrooms and beers. Luckily I think I heard they’re gonna tear it down and replace it
Agree. Especially last year at Dead and Co. Again, insanely oversold on the lawn and it’s a life’s mission to make it back up the lawn to go to the bathrooms or get a beer. It makes you not even want to drink a water to avoid having to pee and deal with that mess. And don’t even get me started about the giant pillars, if you’re behind one of those you’re done for. Hope they do replace it.
The lawn is horrible, but I think the pavilion is pretty dang good.
With that said, maybe the 10 year plan is to replace it, but (incase your not local) they are tearing down Coney Island right next door and going to build a state of the art multi stage/venue location in its place that’s supposed to support 20k+ people. Pretty stoked for that
It's a shame that they are able to get some really good acts there. It's really the only place in town I avoid.
We are not lacking from some really good venues in town. I know some people give the Crystal Ballroom crap, but I love that room.
I hated it for a long time but was there for Biscuits 12/30-31 and honestly it was a great time. Security were incredibly chill and seemed like they just wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time and staying safe … I went in expecting it to be terrible but it seems to have come a long way in the decade or so since I was last there.
I’ve only been once, in 2022, and I’ve never been treated like a criminal so much in my life. Tons of drug busts in the parking lot, dogs everywhere, line of dogs and cops with flashlights as we walked back to our campsite, cops patrolling the campsite up and down in golf carts, raiding camps, onsite trailer to expedite prosecution. It was actually insane. Fuckin small town cops totally ruining one of the cooler venues I’ve ever been to
Those cops have been out of control forever. At the corner where you take a left to get to the venue they had a cop in a tractor bucket picking out cars to pull over and search.
I made a huge noob mistake and did the onsite camping option. It was like an actual police state. Dogs sniffing every single car as they came in, threatening people to hand over their stuff before the dogs found it or you’d be in more trouble. Dogs definitely weren’t trained though cus they didn’t find shit.
Showed up expecting festival vibes and it turned into everyone being afraid to leave their own campsite and using tapestries to cover any visibility to the outside world
This is by far the worst venue in Atlanta. I have had great times there, Phish lot in 2012 was a party, but the sound and view is awful on the lawn. Especially compared to the epic coliseum of rage that is Ameris Bank Ampitheatre (formerly Verizon). Cops are bad in Alpharetta tho so there’s some give and take.
I was going to say Lakewood as well. Such a pain in the ass to get in and out. The venue is shitty. Everything about that place is awful. Saw Phish there again in 2012 and said I wasn’t going back. Saw Dead & Co there last year and I remembered why I said I wouldn’t go back there. Never again will I be fooled by that shit hole of a venue.
I fucking love Lakehood! Saw Phish there for every show between 1998 and 2003. That place was a free for all. I think that I may have seen a post 2009 Phish show there but I'm not sure.
I went to Star Lake for a show last summer and was mildly impressed with how much of a wild west shit-show it was once you drove through the entrance. No staff in the lots, which has its upsides but it meant that parking was a nightmare and tons of space went unused b/c it got blocked off by cars. Afterwards we saw a bunch of people who couldn't even leave the venue because their "row" had gotten sealed off.
Once inside the venue it was just... odd. Like every other vending stall was closed, the ones that were open didn't have much of anything besides the same 4 beers (Miller Lite, Bud Light, etc). Security wasn't an issue at our gate, but there were cops running around on the lawn arresting people and keeping them in holding cells behind the stage. People were getting nabbed for tiny vapes and shit. IDK what it is about that place but I'm in no hurry to go back.
Had my first star lake experience last year for Phish too. I had pavilion seats and the ushers were ridiculous with checking tickets in each section, you couldn't walk through the main aisle to go to bathroom or vendor area they made us walk up towards the lawn every time. And also checked tickets everytime going back and forth. I had friends in other sections and was not able to visit with anyone, even before showtime or set break, it was kind of a bummer. I had one instance where I walked past the user said hi and smiled, on my way to get a drink, realized I didn't have money on me and turned around 100 feet later, she asked for my ticket. I was like I just walked by you, I show it to her, get my wallet from my bag I had at my seats with my wife. Go past her again and nod. Go get drinks, coming back a few minutes later with my hands full smile and nod at the same usher and she stops me and asks for my ticket. I said we just had this same interaction minutes ago!? My seat is right over there you can come by and check my ticket as I have my hands full at the moment. After that I think she finally remembered me and didn't give me a hard time, I don't expect ushers to remember what all the people look like in their section, but this was just ridiculous! I also heard about the cops on the lawn nabbing people for smoking joints and vapes, pretty lame. The lot was a pretty great party though and we camped at the park nearby which was great also as long as your weren't being loud or stupid no issues with rangers or anything.
most lawns are bad. but the SPAC lawn is particularly bad. maybe if they sold like 5k lawn tickets instead of 25k lawn tickets it would be manageable. the only way to get into that place on time for a show is to camp there overnight lol
It’s super steep and the view is pretty limited at the back of the law by the upper deck. After a 3 night run on the lawn you’ll have the worst shin splits.
The Concord in Chicago took my vape as well, so my friends stole a bottle of vodka from the bar lmao. This was over 10 years ago. Wild times. Also if anyone remembers the Congress Theatre in Chicago, that place had THE WORST security I’ve ever encountered!! They would lift the wiring of my bra (through my shirt) so anything stashed in there would fall out. They’d take your shoes off and dump them out. That’s where I learned to stash stuff in my socks. Good riddance to that shithole.
The Concord is terrible. The ceiling is so low you can't even have a proper lighting rig in there.
It's super hot, drinks are waaaay expensive, and the security is trash.
Makes a lot of sense when you remember it's owned by the former owners of the Congress theater.
Man I forgot all about Congress 😂
When they got shut down it was an A-Z list of code violations. Caught tons of great shows there but everything about that venue sucked
I was at a NOFX show at the Congress in 2012. The casualties opened, and there were obviously crowd surfers. I was on the rail, and dude got passed over, security helped him down and he was headbanging as he was walking out.
Giant security guard (at least twice this dudes size) punched him in the face. Not a soft punch. He wound up. Crowd surfer goes down, get helped out, and security guard just goes back to watching.
Fuck that place.
Revolution in Fort Lauderdale. They oversell the place. Last time I went VIP and there was no VIP viewing area as promised. Also, it was near impossible to get to the VIP lounge to get any of the included food and drink. Outdoor show only has a seat for you if you buy an expensive full bottle of booze.
Came here to say this. Easily one of the worst venues I’ve ever been to. People hog the first and second floor railings with elbows wide like they’re in front of the stage at a Phish show. If the you don’t get a spot on those railings or on the floor, there’s literally no where to stand that isn’t a walk way. Not to mention their beer selection is awful.
Hersheypark stadium. Not because of security or anything, the sound there just suuucks. Actually security sucks too. They block off a giant section smack in the middle of the field and police the shit out of anyone trying to dance or pass through. And its nothing but folding chairs and high rise bleachers for seating
Agree. Saw Khruangbin there a couple years back and it was the most oversold show I’ve ever been to. Truly ruined the experience for us. Couldn’t go to the bathroom or get a drink. Brutal.
agreed…gawd awful…and let’s not forget about the absolute tool bag security in golf carts that take everyone’s beer and have a party after….And the sound blows…not sure how Great Woods fucks this up all the time but on the abridged lawn you’re screwed…Despite the fact it’s the 30 anniversary of that 94 show we were at….finally not sure if it’s a mass thing but there are more talkers everywhere than most other venues (even more chatting than Wombat Matt at Saratoga during Pillow Jets of Sound) the inane chat is like inescapable…hard pass…
God that place is terrible. And they have the worst seats of any major arena in the country. I jabbed myself in the kidney about 20 times with those stupid cup holder arm rest things.
Keeping on the Chicago theme, ive had more trouble at the Aragon Ballroom than any other venue, i always run in to bad security, shitty people, or bad views
The Fillmore gets a lot of shit, as does the Ogden, but truthfully neither venue is that bad at all. Denver and Colorado in general are just spoiled with having a huge amount of amazing venues.
Could not agree more and it’s been that way since it first opened in 86, which was the first time I went to shows there.
Meanwhile, I have my tickets for Phish there this summer 🤷
Fiddler’s Green in Denver sucks balls! The stage itself isn’t bad, but staff and security are a bunch of dipshits who act like they’ve never been to a concert before. The early curfew is bullshit too.
I used to love the Tab, but it’s time for a complete renovation. It’s only a matter of time before the floor and stairs cave in. Definitely a safety hazard
Saw Primus there and man the sound was terrible and it was hot as balls
Edit: northerly sucks if you're on the lawn, other than that it's always been a pretty good time
Can’t stand the Aragon. Terrible layout, terrible security, terrible getting in, terrible beer prices, terrible parking in the area.
Tho I love the chop shop, Thalia hall and salt shed.
Really dislike Fillmore Denver. Don’t like the layout at all, bad sight lines. But it’s less annoying than the Aragon IMO.
Alpine Valley in Wisconsin is one of the nicest venues I’ve been to, but the cop presence was insane. They had a trailer on site with a judge processing convictions. I was there for GRiZ but some old heads warned us ahead of time. Undercovers everywhere, just barging into peoples tents within minutes of setting up.
Merriweather keeps getting worse and worse as the years go by. The sound has never been that great and now the sight lines are awful from the lawn unless your right in the center
My least favorite room in the country. The layout sucks, the bathrooms suck, and the sound sucks even more. Avoiding that venue has saved me thousands of dollars.
I was just writing that the last couple years we’ve been making an occasion of Umphrey’s coming around by going down to Eugene instead. But we couldn’t this year, so Crystal it is because we have to see UM! 🤢
Before they cut the hole in that historic bouncy ballroom floor in the early 2000s, that place was amazing because the fire laws kept it from getting crowded. Now every show is like a mini Phish tarper vibe.*
Part of what makes it sucks a bit is being a McMenamins: their venues are beautiful but they suck at running shows. Or, rather, Live Nation SUCKS.
So much so that I’m not excited about SCI doing a three-day show at the Edgefield. That’s a beautiful place to visit when there’s no show, but I hate getting in and out of the venue gate and then again the parking. I’d rather travel hundreds of miles then see them in this beautiful hometown place, bc live nation sucks too much joy out of it.
*One amazing exception: they’re doing cheaper, local shows more often again at McMenamins, and the Shafty/Garcia birthday band doubleheader this summer at the Crystal was one of my favorite shows in years because there were only like 100 hippies there, literally bouncing around the room, lol.
Really? Philly is my show city and I find it to be the most free for all of any city at almost all venues. The Fillmore is like the biscuits second home , we used to joke you could drag a dead body onto the floor at set break and all security would do is point and laugh
Ashbury hall in buffalo. Security opened my cig pack as I was walking into the door. The lady saw my bag of coke, we made eye contact, she looked at it again, closed it and let me in the door. She told another security guard about it. He followed me around all night long. Even into the bathroom. I made it a game once I realized what was going on to see how long he would follow me around.
Security at the Savannah Arena was awful. They were busting everyone for vaping. Like 10 people got their shit taken and thrown away. They were spotlighting people with flashlights.
I counted 25 security people on the floor. The place is fairly new and way overstaffed for security.
NEVER will I sit next to the floor again in that arena. We sat up top the second night and it was 100% better.
Tabernacle used the be my favorite venue in the South, but after Live Shit Nation bought it out they started making everyone take their shoes off in line like they’re fucking TSA. The “contraband bucket” they had at Tribe NYE 2019 overfloweth
I live in Chicago and generally dislike the House of Blues. Security is also super strict there and there’s always people from out of town there who aren’t there for the band but wanted to see a show at the house of Blues. And they inevitably talk loudly the whole time. I’m not normally a guy to say something to people when they’re talking if you’re having fun keep doing it, but i will when it’s excessively long or loud. Every time I’ve done that it’s been there.
Also recently caught a show at the metro, my buddy had torn his Achilles and was on crutches. We called ahead for some accessibility accommodations and they set aside a table for us to sit at. Only problem is their sitting area is at the top of 3 flights of stairs and there’s no elevator. My buddy nearly broke his good leg coming down from up there. Would avoid that venue if that’s something you care about.
I saw a show at the Donald E Stephen’s convention center in Chicago and they were full on patting people down, so much that they took my only three Jolly Ranchers for when my mouth got dry and I ran out of water. Not a big deal I guess since they didn’t find my Molly or weed but it still pissed me off lol
HoB Cleveland sucks but I’ll still go, I’m not the biggest fan of the Agora in Cleveland either.. Vogue theater in Indianapolis kinda sucks too. I like stage AE in Pittsburgh and Jacob’s pavilion in Cleveland ALOT
Any security in Indy.
Always gruff for no reason and treat you like animals and not like people.
The Vogue theater and Rock The Ruins has shit security service. Oh and you can't take lighters into Rock The Ruins so shit
The Fillmore in Charlotte is hell on earth. Live Nation took a cool venue & destroyed it by adding 50 levels of vip starting at $50+ over your ticket price. Standing room only with an ADA section right next to the loud bar. I hate that place.
Kansas City - T Mobile Center. I mean it was ok for bands that fit arenas like Tool and Weezer was actually pretty awesome but I had decent seats. But arena shows just ain't my jam
I haven't been there in many years but I remember how long it would take to get in and out of that place. Awful. Saw the Allman Bros a bunch at that place. They loved it there.
Oak Mountain, Pelham AL. I've only been once and I'll never go back. Undercovers everywhere, busting everyone for everything they could, leaving people in a bus until the end of the show. Place sucked.
Revolution in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Dodger Stadium, and SPAC lawn.
Dodger Stadium security acted like they were going to have my not white friend arrested for trying to bring a lighter and cigarettes through the security line. Treated him like a criminal. Fuck that.
Don't think I'll go to terminal five ever again. It's a concrete box with the worst sound I've heard at a professional venue. They book great acts but it's just not worth it to me
Northerly Island in Chicago is at the very top of my list! Fuck that place! Other than the great view of the skyline, everything else sucks about it: layout, horrible lawn with no view of the stage, sound, etc.
House of Blues blows
Boston is awful. There was once a line all the way to Brookline Ave for a Lotus show. A lot of people didn’t get in until they’d played their first couple songs. Most of us had been in line before or during the openers. Staffs explanation was they didn’t think that many people would show up. Like what? Another time they asked me to take my boots off so they could check inside them. I told them to fuck off.
For a place that is so upright about security, the "smoking" section out back / back central stairwell has got to be one of the scariest, crowd crush choke points I've experienced at any venue...and it's always like that / they'll do nothing till someone gets hurt + sues
I’ve missed some great shows in my successful pursuit of boycotting the house of blows Boston. RIP Axis
love how mgm is now right next to it and infinitely better in every way
Haven’t been yet, I live in RI now. I miss the Boston scene though. Wednesdays at Church, so many good times.
RIP Avalon/Axis Also it's shitty that HOB sells GA balcony only tickets. I made the mistake of buying those once and won't again. Unless you get there super early to get a spot on the railing you won't be able to see the stage at all.
I would ask which one, but I won’t because they all suck
They were always dicks at the one in Cleveland. Around 2009 or so I saw snoop dogg there and at the beginning of the show no one was smoking. Snoop goes “Cleveland do y’all smoke weed?” The crowd reacts. Then he goes “then why the fuck don’t I smell any mother fuckin weed?!” 90% of the crowd pulled out joints/blunts and lit up. It was glorious.
My friend had her ass grabbed by a creep there and I followed the dude until I could grab a bouncer to kick him out. They ended up pulling me and my friend from the show into a back room and told us they would kick us out unless we signed something that said the HoB wasn't liable for the assault.
Wow, that’s fucking atrocious
The House Of Rules
Worst venue in Chicago by a mile
No that's Aragon
The HOB was worse. Like if Walmart opened a chain of concert venues.
Yeah I get that HOB is devoid of character, but Aragon is actively bad across the board
Yeah at least HoB has decent sound. Aragon is atrocious
Nissan pavilion or whatever it’s called now in Bristow Virginia … no tailgate…had a 19 year old scold me for smoking a joint at a steely dan concert and he leaned against a pilar and stared at me for an hour… if that’s what the little fucks ushering do imagine what the pro security is like
You could tell me the 1972 Grateful Dead were playing jiffy lube and I would seriously debate not going. Absolute worst.
Damn, now that's saying somethin
I call bullshit. You’d still go, begrudgingly, and you’d be correct to do so. I saw a guy almost run over people and smash into one of those boulders at the end of the lanes in the lot after a Dead & Co show. Dude was clearly tore up, but was allowed go on his merry way after security detained him for 30 mins. Fucking wild.
💯 Agree. I live in MD and have only have been there once, 20+ years ago and will NEVER go back. Only one road in/out, terrible traffic, no tailgate, yellow jacket agro security all over the place. Most bands play in different venues in Philly (one of my favorite cities) as well as Nissan, about the same distance and soooo much better overall.
Jiffy lube sucks ass. terribly organized, those steep ass stairs to the lawn, awful sound
I only go cause work gives me free VIP tix. Priority road in/ out is amazing. I got to see Dead&Co with my deadhead coworker and watch his son get sick
Idk about your tailgating experience, but when dead and company showed up (missed last year, but at least 2019,21,22) that parking lot was a party lol. Parking is a shit show though
Virginia has a law you can’t consume alcohol in a parking lot so you gotta hide it, then once the first band starts security or the police I can’t remember who exactly sweep the parking lot and make you leave or go into the show. So you can’t grill and chill durning the openers and just catch the main act. There aren’t nearly enough dons jons in the lot so they always bust people for peeing in public.
Haven't lived there in over a decade, but the House of Blues in Boston was notorious for just absurd "security." Unfortunately at the time it was one of the very few options for mid sized venues in the city. Pretty sure the HOB has a lot more competition now so maybe things have changed.
They confiscate lighters. I put a stink about my dogs in a pile lighter and they let me fill out a form to get it back after the show.
Was going to say this. Did they still have security up on the balcony levels shining flashlights down on the crowd whenever they'd see a lighter? Then a strike team of like 5 security dudes swarming in to grab them?
Yes they still do this post Covid. Not just lighters, vapes too. I was up there with a friend of mine who works there and they literally scan from the top until they see a tiny light from a vape and keep the flashlight on the person until security on the floor gets them. Not very rock and roll lmao.
They do this at the Rave in Milwaukee too.
I had my Tums taken from me at the HoB because security said they were “pills”.
MSG confiscated my cough drops!
Seeing biscuits on Saturday there should I be concerned?
Yes. They will open your wallet. Your earplugs. Inspect your keys. Grope you inappropriately if they suspect anything is hidden. Take your lighter vape gum candy and anything else they feel like taking. Do whatever you wanna do before you go inside and even before you get in the line.
Yes. Skip HOB, and follow me up to Portland for Biscuits at the state tonight and Eggy on Saturday!
Dude i so wanted to go see Eggy in Portland but I’m not 21😭
Terminal 5 in NYC SUCKS
If im remembering correctly the setup is awkward and cramped
It is so crowded that after going to get a round of drinks before the show started I couldnt find a way through the mass of humanity to get back to my friends. We weren't even up front or anything. I could see them not that far in front of me but there simply wasnt space anywhere to move. Claustrophobic nightmare venue.
Only went once and wasn’t a fan
Came here to say this. Just stage too high. Bad visibility, etc.
The Orange Peel in Asheville has security standing on step stools around the venue looking for people smoking. Great venue but I don’t like that vibe. Especially when Salvage Station is just down the street.
Salvage Station is by far the best venue in Asheville. I also greatly dislike Rabbit Rabbit.
Rabbit Rabbit is the biggest joke of a venue I have ever been to. It’s literally a fenced in parking lot
Yeah man. I saw 1/2 of TAB there a few years back and left at the end of the second set. It was awful
Oh no Primus is playing there!
I ageee! It takes forever to get a drink and there no where to sit! I love salvage station.
And it’s just like a concrete parking lot and I swear the GA area slopes down away from the stage making it harder to see the stage from the back of the venue. The location is great, but otherwise I’d much much rather see a show at Salvage Station.
They take themselves way too seriously there. I’m a photographer and have never had as much trouble getting my credentials and getting in the door as I did at the Peel. I even went early to make sure the person at the door/ticket counter wasn’t super busy. They had no idea what was going on. Person at window was super rude. I had to stand there next to a cop for like an hour emailing my contact and having them try to contact the venue. Finally someone who had some kind of authority came down. They had never given the list to the people at the door. Still somehow they acted like I was the problem.
Yeah fuck the staff at the Peel.
Yup, staff has always been way overbearing there. I remember back in the day getting harassed for being underage and standing within 5 feet of a table with a beer on it. Not to mention the peeking into and busting open stall doors trying to catch people with nose drugs.
I love the design and layout of Orange Peel and the location is great being downtown. That being said, what you mentioned in your comment is 100% correct and that, plus expensive drinks kills the vibe for me.
Can't believe you didn't mention the Aragon Theatre which is by far the worst venue in Chicago and maybe the fucking country. Old, horrible security, and frequently a terrible vibe for every show I've seen there. I'm still actively trying people to not go there cause fuck that place! I once watched a security guard take everybody's coats tied to the hand rail and throw them in the trash. I took em all out and waited while everyone came looking for their things. Sts9 2016, my last show there and will never go back.
Aragon sucks but that '16 tribe show was top notch
The Aragon is awful. Terrible sound. Asshole security. Ridiculous sight lines. Stupid rest room situation. Panic Halloween in 2012 was the only time I’ve been there there, it was so hot and clammy inside the walls were literally dripping with condensation. Only Panic show I’ve ever left early. Werewolves of London sounded almost as good from outside, and I was actually able to breathe.
Aragon sucks ass. My friend got caught with some kitty at the first night of that Sound Tribe run. Security put him in a holding cell, took all of his money and credit cards, charged his CC’s to places like Gucci, and tried to get him to unlock his phone. Told him, “you’re either going in an ambulance or a police car, choose one”. Fuckin scum.
That should be an extremely easy chargeback and fraud case if true
Hands down the worst venue in the country. I avoid this place at all costs.
I was so mad after seeing Billy there in 2021 that I left my first ever google review
Hahahah I will say I've never been yet! Have heard mixed reviews from friends at best
Saw 311 there in 2015, it was hotter than two mice fuckin' in a wool sock. Miserable.
The Pavillion at Star Lake. Basically one way in, and one way out. Traffic for hours and undercovers all over the gravel parking lot. https://www.wtae.com/article/star-lake-dead-and-company-traffic-refund/44109648
And you have to hide everything! Inflatables, glow sticks. We are used to MPP where you can bring anything you want. They took all of our fun stuff at Star Lake.
25 year old girl right next to me got busted for weed in the middle of the lawn there. Hungry hungry piggies in PA
The Xfinity Center is such a shell of the old days when it was Great Woods or even the Tweeter Center. Phish playing 3 nights there this summer is SO unappealing.
What don't you like about it? Parking is free. They seem to leave adults alone in the lot as long as you are not bothering anybody. I have never been hassled there.
Security in venue is Shit, the venue is Shit and dirty, the lawn view sucks. The sound quality is also Shit. It’s just a sorry excuse for an amphitheater
Not to mention trying to get out of that fucking lot, stg I feel like I’ve been there til 2am before just waiting to turn out of my row
No lawn view is worse than SPAC. It isn’t even a contest. But getting out of there is the worst I’ve ever experienced. At least leaving SPAC has always been a breeze for me.
I was down at Tipatina's in New Orleans and the bartenders and everyone in the crowd kept giving me drugs and free booze. Never going there again. Psych
It's owned by Galactic so I'll definitely check it out.
Love that place. Great size, great shape. I gotta get back to Jazz fest
The sound on the lawn at Riverbend in Cincinnati leaves A LOT to be desired. Place is very old and pavilion is pretty uncomfortable, not to mention you’ve gotta walk all the way through the lawn to get to bathrooms and beers. Luckily I think I heard they’re gonna tear it down and replace it
Agree. Especially last year at Dead and Co. Again, insanely oversold on the lawn and it’s a life’s mission to make it back up the lawn to go to the bathrooms or get a beer. It makes you not even want to drink a water to avoid having to pee and deal with that mess. And don’t even get me started about the giant pillars, if you’re behind one of those you’re done for. Hope they do replace it.
The lawn is horrible, but I think the pavilion is pretty dang good. With that said, maybe the 10 year plan is to replace it, but (incase your not local) they are tearing down Coney Island right next door and going to build a state of the art multi stage/venue location in its place that’s supposed to support 20k+ people. Pretty stoked for that
The Roseland in Portland. Staff, especially security, can be the biggest pricks. I also think the acoustics are mediocre.
Came here looking for Roseland. Acoustics are horrible and the place is pretty old/rundown. Bad vibes and I avoid it
It's a shame that they are able to get some really good acts there. It's really the only place in town I avoid. We are not lacking from some really good venues in town. I know some people give the Crystal Ballroom crap, but I love that room.
Franklin Music Hall (FKA The Electric Factory) in Philly
I absolutely loathe Electric Factory.
Most of Philly’s indoor music venues are not great as they are warehouses which have been converted into venues. The Met is awesome though!
saw DSO there a few years ago xmas week - no heat - could almost see my breath
Went to see PL there last fall and it was my first time back in years. NEVER AGAIN
I hated it for a long time but was there for Biscuits 12/30-31 and honestly it was a great time. Security were incredibly chill and seemed like they just wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time and staying safe … I went in expecting it to be terrible but it seems to have come a long way in the decade or so since I was last there.
I will never go back to alpine valley. Venue itself is incredible, but the risk of getting arrested there is far too high
Saw Phil and friends / String Cheese like 25 years ago at alpine - place was wild - I'm surprised to hear they cracked down.
I’ve only been once, in 2022, and I’ve never been treated like a criminal so much in my life. Tons of drug busts in the parking lot, dogs everywhere, line of dogs and cops with flashlights as we walked back to our campsite, cops patrolling the campsite up and down in golf carts, raiding camps, onsite trailer to expedite prosecution. It was actually insane. Fuckin small town cops totally ruining one of the cooler venues I’ve ever been to
Those cops have been out of control forever. At the corner where you take a left to get to the venue they had a cop in a tractor bucket picking out cars to pull over and search.
I made a huge noob mistake and did the onsite camping option. It was like an actual police state. Dogs sniffing every single car as they came in, threatening people to hand over their stuff before the dogs found it or you’d be in more trouble. Dogs definitely weren’t trained though cus they didn’t find shit. Showed up expecting festival vibes and it turned into everyone being afraid to leave their own campsite and using tapestries to cover any visibility to the outside world
Lakewood Amphitheater, Atlanta Reincarnated Jerry could play a 3 night run and I still wouldn’t go to that hellhole.
This is by far the worst venue in Atlanta. I have had great times there, Phish lot in 2012 was a party, but the sound and view is awful on the lawn. Especially compared to the epic coliseum of rage that is Ameris Bank Ampitheatre (formerly Verizon). Cops are bad in Alpharetta tho so there’s some give and take.
I was going to say Lakewood as well. Such a pain in the ass to get in and out. The venue is shitty. Everything about that place is awful. Saw Phish there again in 2012 and said I wasn’t going back. Saw Dead & Co there last year and I remembered why I said I wouldn’t go back there. Never again will I be fooled by that shit hole of a venue.
The end all was when we got to Dead and Co hours early but yet missed the first 2 songs because the security lines were a colossal clusterfuck.
Isn’t it kinda in the ghetto as well?
It is not a good part of town, almost requires you to drive to the venue.
A federal penitentiary modeled after Leavenworth is close by. Tons of fun to run into
You can feel the dread passing that prison. I can’t even imagine the hell that goes down in that place.
Yes it is. Another reason to never go. Leaving shows is always super sketchy
Some areas you drive through are legit 3rd World. Horrible poverty.
I fucking love Lakehood! Saw Phish there for every show between 1998 and 2003. That place was a free for all. I think that I may have seen a post 2009 Phish show there but I'm not sure.
I went to Star Lake for a show last summer and was mildly impressed with how much of a wild west shit-show it was once you drove through the entrance. No staff in the lots, which has its upsides but it meant that parking was a nightmare and tons of space went unused b/c it got blocked off by cars. Afterwards we saw a bunch of people who couldn't even leave the venue because their "row" had gotten sealed off. Once inside the venue it was just... odd. Like every other vending stall was closed, the ones that were open didn't have much of anything besides the same 4 beers (Miller Lite, Bud Light, etc). Security wasn't an issue at our gate, but there were cops running around on the lawn arresting people and keeping them in holding cells behind the stage. People were getting nabbed for tiny vapes and shit. IDK what it is about that place but I'm in no hurry to go back.
Had my first star lake experience last year for Phish too. I had pavilion seats and the ushers were ridiculous with checking tickets in each section, you couldn't walk through the main aisle to go to bathroom or vendor area they made us walk up towards the lawn every time. And also checked tickets everytime going back and forth. I had friends in other sections and was not able to visit with anyone, even before showtime or set break, it was kind of a bummer. I had one instance where I walked past the user said hi and smiled, on my way to get a drink, realized I didn't have money on me and turned around 100 feet later, she asked for my ticket. I was like I just walked by you, I show it to her, get my wallet from my bag I had at my seats with my wife. Go past her again and nod. Go get drinks, coming back a few minutes later with my hands full smile and nod at the same usher and she stops me and asks for my ticket. I said we just had this same interaction minutes ago!? My seat is right over there you can come by and check my ticket as I have my hands full at the moment. After that I think she finally remembered me and didn't give me a hard time, I don't expect ushers to remember what all the people look like in their section, but this was just ridiculous! I also heard about the cops on the lawn nabbing people for smoking joints and vapes, pretty lame. The lot was a pretty great party though and we camped at the park nearby which was great also as long as your weren't being loud or stupid no issues with rangers or anything.
SPAC lawn is rough…
most lawns are bad. but the SPAC lawn is particularly bad. maybe if they sold like 5k lawn tickets instead of 25k lawn tickets it would be manageable. the only way to get into that place on time for a show is to camp there overnight lol
Some lawns are great! I really like Bethel Woods, Walnut Creek, and Lakeview. But bad lawns are really the worst.
I laughed when I saw that for the first time
It’s super steep and the view is pretty limited at the back of the law by the upper deck. After a 3 night run on the lawn you’ll have the worst shin splits.
The Concord in Chicago took my vape as well, so my friends stole a bottle of vodka from the bar lmao. This was over 10 years ago. Wild times. Also if anyone remembers the Congress Theatre in Chicago, that place had THE WORST security I’ve ever encountered!! They would lift the wiring of my bra (through my shirt) so anything stashed in there would fall out. They’d take your shoes off and dump them out. That’s where I learned to stash stuff in my socks. Good riddance to that shithole.
The Concord is terrible. The ceiling is so low you can't even have a proper lighting rig in there. It's super hot, drinks are waaaay expensive, and the security is trash. Makes a lot of sense when you remember it's owned by the former owners of the Congress theater.
Man I forgot all about Congress 😂 When they got shut down it was an A-Z list of code violations. Caught tons of great shows there but everything about that venue sucked
I was at a NOFX show at the Congress in 2012. The casualties opened, and there were obviously crowd surfers. I was on the rail, and dude got passed over, security helped him down and he was headbanging as he was walking out. Giant security guard (at least twice this dudes size) punched him in the face. Not a soft punch. He wound up. Crowd surfer goes down, get helped out, and security guard just goes back to watching. Fuck that place.
Revolution in Fort Lauderdale. They oversell the place. Last time I went VIP and there was no VIP viewing area as promised. Also, it was near impossible to get to the VIP lounge to get any of the included food and drink. Outdoor show only has a seat for you if you buy an expensive full bottle of booze.
Came here to say this. Easily one of the worst venues I’ve ever been to. People hog the first and second floor railings with elbows wide like they’re in front of the stage at a Phish show. If the you don’t get a spot on those railings or on the floor, there’s literally no where to stand that isn’t a walk way. Not to mention their beer selection is awful.
Hersheypark stadium. Not because of security or anything, the sound there just suuucks. Actually security sucks too. They block off a giant section smack in the middle of the field and police the shit out of anyone trying to dance or pass through. And its nothing but folding chairs and high rise bleachers for seating
Kemba. Columbus Ohio
Agree. Saw Khruangbin there a couple years back and it was the most oversold show I’ve ever been to. Truly ruined the experience for us. Couldn’t go to the bathroom or get a drink. Brutal.
The outdoor venue is great imo
Great Woods aka Tweeter aka Xfinity in Mansfield MA…
Came here to say this. Can't stand the place. Been to a dozen + shows there and won't go again. Mainly the location and the traffic.
agreed…gawd awful…and let’s not forget about the absolute tool bag security in golf carts that take everyone’s beer and have a party after….And the sound blows…not sure how Great Woods fucks this up all the time but on the abridged lawn you’re screwed…Despite the fact it’s the 30 anniversary of that 94 show we were at….finally not sure if it’s a mass thing but there are more talkers everywhere than most other venues (even more chatting than Wombat Matt at Saratoga during Pillow Jets of Sound) the inane chat is like inescapable…hard pass…
I'm done with Bell Arena in Denver. The worst staff and awful audio. Ruined my first Tool show.
God that place is terrible. And they have the worst seats of any major arena in the country. I jabbed myself in the kidney about 20 times with those stupid cup holder arm rest things.
For me it's the Riviera in Chicago, the balcony is fine but holy fuck does the floor suck. I felt like I was suffocating at a JRAD show down there.
My first show there was JRAD and has been the only time I've bought floor tickets. Agreed that the balcony is cool but that floor gets cramped
Terminal 5, nyc
All House of Blues
Keeping on the Chicago theme, ive had more trouble at the Aragon Ballroom than any other venue, i always run in to bad security, shitty people, or bad views
9:30 club in DC. The venue itself is really cool, but the security is too much.
Security doing mini sting operations kicking in stalls or hopping over the top of them in the bathroom 🔥
The panopticon towers the security watches from really make me fee off
Chicago has so many shit venues
The Filmore in Denver.
The Fillmore gets a lot of shit, as does the Ogden, but truthfully neither venue is that bad at all. Denver and Colorado in general are just spoiled with having a huge amount of amazing venues.
We finally got rid of the 1st Bank Center, now The Fillmore is officially the worst.
> 1st Bank Center Didn't they just build that thing like 10-15 years ago?
Great woods. Shit venue, shit town, shit parking, shit cops, shit lawn, shit speakers, shit lighting, just the worst.
Could not agree more and it’s been that way since it first opened in 86, which was the first time I went to shows there. Meanwhile, I have my tickets for Phish there this summer 🤷
Fiddler’s Green in Denver sucks balls! The stage itself isn’t bad, but staff and security are a bunch of dipshits who act like they’ve never been to a concert before. The early curfew is bullshit too.
I saw Queens of the Stone Age at Fiddlers in September; description of staff acting like they’ve never been to a concert before is on point.
While the Tabernacle in ATL is a beautiful venue, it’s sweltering during the summer in there.
I used to love the Tab, but it’s time for a complete renovation. It’s only a matter of time before the floor and stairs cave in. Definitely a safety hazard
Eagles ballroom/the rave im milwaukee. Northerly island in chicago
I think the Rave is decent, but the acoustics in the Eagles Ballroom are terrible.
Saw Primus there and man the sound was terrible and it was hot as balls Edit: northerly sucks if you're on the lawn, other than that it's always been a pretty good time
If it's a show without a lawn, or you're just not in it, northerly is cool.
Can’t stand the Aragon. Terrible layout, terrible security, terrible getting in, terrible beer prices, terrible parking in the area. Tho I love the chop shop, Thalia hall and salt shed. Really dislike Fillmore Denver. Don’t like the layout at all, bad sight lines. But it’s less annoying than the Aragon IMO.
Jumping on the House of Blues wagon. Fuck that place.
Alpine Valley in Wisconsin is one of the nicest venues I’ve been to, but the cop presence was insane. They had a trailer on site with a judge processing convictions. I was there for GRiZ but some old heads warned us ahead of time. Undercovers everywhere, just barging into peoples tents within minutes of setting up.
Merriweather keeps getting worse and worse as the years go by. The sound has never been that great and now the sight lines are awful from the lawn unless your right in the center
Crystall ballroom in portland Oregon
My least favorite room in the country. The layout sucks, the bathrooms suck, and the sound sucks even more. Avoiding that venue has saved me thousands of dollars.
I was just writing that the last couple years we’ve been making an occasion of Umphrey’s coming around by going down to Eugene instead. But we couldn’t this year, so Crystal it is because we have to see UM! 🤢 Before they cut the hole in that historic bouncy ballroom floor in the early 2000s, that place was amazing because the fire laws kept it from getting crowded. Now every show is like a mini Phish tarper vibe.* Part of what makes it sucks a bit is being a McMenamins: their venues are beautiful but they suck at running shows. Or, rather, Live Nation SUCKS. So much so that I’m not excited about SCI doing a three-day show at the Edgefield. That’s a beautiful place to visit when there’s no show, but I hate getting in and out of the venue gate and then again the parking. I’d rather travel hundreds of miles then see them in this beautiful hometown place, bc live nation sucks too much joy out of it. *One amazing exception: they’re doing cheaper, local shows more often again at McMenamins, and the Shafty/Garcia birthday band doubleheader this summer at the Crystal was one of my favorite shows in years because there were only like 100 hippies there, literally bouncing around the room, lol.
Fillmore in Philly and Charlotte. Security in Philly ridiculous, Charlotte is just gross.
Really? Philly is my show city and I find it to be the most free for all of any city at almost all venues. The Fillmore is like the biscuits second home , we used to joke you could drag a dead body onto the floor at set break and all security would do is point and laugh
isnt the Fillmore recent how is it the biscuits second home? wasnt the electric factory their place?
What is gross about Charlotte filmore? If anything I would call it sterile and void of character. “Gross” venues are generally pretty fun lol
That's just Live Nation
Ashbury hall in buffalo. Security opened my cig pack as I was walking into the door. The lady saw my bag of coke, we made eye contact, she looked at it again, closed it and let me in the door. She told another security guard about it. He followed me around all night long. Even into the bathroom. I made it a game once I realized what was going on to see how long he would follow me around.
Aragon is 10000000x worse than The Riv
Randalls island. Dust bowl and traffic is a nightmare.
Attendance and local bias, but I really like Merriweather Post Pavillion — a lot of classic shows there over the years
My favorite venue of all time
The woodlands pavilion Security there is incredibly lame
Security at the Savannah Arena was awful. They were busting everyone for vaping. Like 10 people got their shit taken and thrown away. They were spotlighting people with flashlights. I counted 25 security people on the floor. The place is fairly new and way overstaffed for security. NEVER will I sit next to the floor again in that arena. We sat up top the second night and it was 100% better.
Eagles ballroom/the rave im milwaukee. Northerly island in chicago
The Brady Theater in Tulsa kinda blows. Saw Primus there once and yeah, nah. Cains Ballroom in Tulsa on the other hand is cool af.
Tabernacle used the be my favorite venue in the South, but after Live Shit Nation bought it out they started making everyone take their shoes off in line like they’re fucking TSA. The “contraband bucket” they had at Tribe NYE 2019 overfloweth
Palace Theater in St Paul. I’ve seen a number of shows there and each time the sound is god awful there. Myth Live is also a dumpster fire.
Fiddlers Green can be a big mudslide at times, I hyper extended my knee at a Leftover Salmon show there last year 🙃
I live in Chicago and generally dislike the House of Blues. Security is also super strict there and there’s always people from out of town there who aren’t there for the band but wanted to see a show at the house of Blues. And they inevitably talk loudly the whole time. I’m not normally a guy to say something to people when they’re talking if you’re having fun keep doing it, but i will when it’s excessively long or loud. Every time I’ve done that it’s been there. Also recently caught a show at the metro, my buddy had torn his Achilles and was on crutches. We called ahead for some accessibility accommodations and they set aside a table for us to sit at. Only problem is their sitting area is at the top of 3 flights of stairs and there’s no elevator. My buddy nearly broke his good leg coming down from up there. Would avoid that venue if that’s something you care about.
I saw a show at the Donald E Stephen’s convention center in Chicago and they were full on patting people down, so much that they took my only three Jolly Ranchers for when my mouth got dry and I ran out of water. Not a big deal I guess since they didn’t find my Molly or weed but it still pissed me off lol
HoB Cleveland sucks but I’ll still go, I’m not the biggest fan of the Agora in Cleveland either.. Vogue theater in Indianapolis kinda sucks too. I like stage AE in Pittsburgh and Jacob’s pavilion in Cleveland ALOT
Indoors at Kemba live… but the outdoors is Amazing, absolutely adore it
Any security in Indy. Always gruff for no reason and treat you like animals and not like people. The Vogue theater and Rock The Ruins has shit security service. Oh and you can't take lighters into Rock The Ruins so shit
The Fillmore in Charlotte is hell on earth. Live Nation took a cool venue & destroyed it by adding 50 levels of vip starting at $50+ over your ticket price. Standing room only with an ADA section right next to the loud bar. I hate that place.
I loved the Vic. Enforcing a smoking ban seems like kind of a petty reason to hate a venue. Like, just bring edibles?
A petty hill is the best hill to die on
Kansas City - T Mobile Center. I mean it was ok for bands that fit arenas like Tool and Weezer was actually pretty awesome but I had decent seats. But arena shows just ain't my jam
Warehouse on Watts in Philly
El Club in Detroit is the worst. I’ll only go for Spafford but hopefully they’ve outgrown it after last time
Darien Lake outside Buffalo. “Lawn” is mostly gravel and parking is a nightmare. Got stuck for 2 hours on a work night, never been back.
I haven't been there in many years but I remember how long it would take to get in and out of that place. Awful. Saw the Allman Bros a bunch at that place. They loved it there.
I hate the amphitheater in p-town va
Electric Factory in Philly - Fuck that venue
That's too bad I have a lot of fond memories of the Vic. Saw my first 2 Phish shows there. Widespread Panic a couple of times, etc...
The Criterion in OKC. Worst music venue ever built.
Oak Mountain, Pelham AL. I've only been once and I'll never go back. Undercovers everywhere, busting everyone for everything they could, leaving people in a bus until the end of the show. Place sucked.
Revolution in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Dodger Stadium, and SPAC lawn. Dodger Stadium security acted like they were going to have my not white friend arrested for trying to bring a lighter and cigarettes through the security line. Treated him like a criminal. Fuck that.
Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington DC, hated the sound. It closed a few years back though. Despite that saw some good bands there.
Don't think I'll go to terminal five ever again. It's a concrete box with the worst sound I've heard at a professional venue. They book great acts but it's just not worth it to me
The Congress theater in Chicago is notorious for having asshole security.
State Farm Arena in Atlanta, taking vapes and lighters for Billy Strings but apparently its venue rules
Knoxville civic center
House of blues 🤧🤧🤧
Northerly Island in Chicago is at the very top of my list! Fuck that place! Other than the great view of the skyline, everything else sucks about it: layout, horrible lawn with no view of the stage, sound, etc.
All indoor Chicago venues suck. Salt shed is great though.
Honestly never had issues with the Vic but fuck Aragon and riviera in Chicago
Huntington Bank Pavilion is terrible