Shitty venues

[jambandmusic]

As much as I love DSO, I won't see them in my own hometown, Bethlehem, PA. Tonight's show at Wind Creek Casino has no pit area, all reserved seating??? Now I do like to sit once and a while but the whole show, no way! Last time in Bethlehem, they played in the Musikfest Cafe which has very shitty acoustics for a band like DSO and they didn't even sell out that rather small venue? Is it me??? Have fun tonight if you go and long live DSO, just not in Bethlehem PA!

 ps... Wilco played outside at Levitt (Bethlehem PA) last night, amazing show, great outside venue...

[gr8fulpair]

I don’t think punishing the band for coming to your hometown is gonna bring about the change you’re looking for.  I lived in Charlotte for a long time and I suffered many years of seeing them in the jam packed, oversold  Neighborhood Theater and then it finally happened. They moved to the Filmore with twice the capacity. Same thing in my current area of Asheville at the Orange Peel. A literal termite mound of people trying to get down to DSO without hurting the people around you. Years and years of that, and then it finally happened, they moved to Salvage Station with 3 times the capacity. Then hurricane helene wiped that venue off the map, but that’s a different story, haha. They now play at Asheville Yards, 2-3 times bigger than Orange Peel. Support your bands dude, no matter where they play.  Things will change over time and you won’t be missing killer shows. 

[Billy DeLyon]

I also passed on the Bethlehem show due to the way the venue was setup and pricing.  It's only a hour away from me. I opted to go to the Freehold, NJ show (2 hrs.) on Saturday.  Got a ticket for $30, GA outdoor venue.  It looks like Wind Creek Casino does setup some concerts as GA all on the floor.  Not sure why DSO wouldn't be setup that way.  I believe it was the 1st time they played there so maybe they'll tweak some things if they go back.  The Musikfest Cafe show last year (Cornell) was packed with people so if it wasn't a sellout it had to be close to one.  Not every venue can be as cool as Penn's Peak!

[Timc333]

I was there last night , awesome show , I was surprised that the seating was like it was , but I upgraded to a luxury suite and I couldn't be happier with the seat , the sound was very good there . Now however I do have an issue with wind creak events center , back in 2014 I got busted there leaving with cannabis after a wailers show , so I was expecting a lot of security , but not nearly as much as there was , two tiers of security and police at the entrance , a bit off putting , but I had no issues (thank god for dart pods lol.). I know they are very cannabis unfriendly there so that is always a thing to consider going there , but I wouldn't miss this band in my home town no way , and I too love the peak , but last night was a real good night never worth missing. 

[Michael Doc Watson]

Not so much an issue with the venue but a couple stories of security at entry.

 

It was a Carolina show and I was entering very early among a small group of fans. The young security gentleman made the usual security check into a complete body inspection. I think I even had to remove my shoes. While everyone else passed through quickly I was there for about twenty minutes. As usual, I was totally clean but there was a small thin chain tying my car keys to my belt. The guy insisted that this six inch shackle was a weapon and not allowed. I could give it to him or take it back to my car. I looked at the older security gentleman in the next line who was watching all this and he just shrugged his shoulders and gave me a embarrassed look. What they didn’t know was that the car was parked as close as possible only about fifty feet away. After a quick retreat I was able to return from the car, enter, and find Poetry Girl who had been watching all this. She just said it all because of my Arlo Guthrie “Alice’s Restaurant” tee shirt and they didn’t want no old hippy causing trouble in here.

 

Another time this past year at the Tabernacle there was a big crowd trying to get in. I was motioned ahead of everyone by the uniformed folk. Even before looking at my phone for the tickets a nice young security agent said “My names also Michael and we are going to take care of you.” They walked me and my long time best friend, Jill, past everything and said they were going to take us in on the elevator. I don’t think they ever even looked for tickets. I was floating nicely as the gummy had kicked in and I did not understand what was happening. The elevator car barley had room enough for Jill and I as it took us higher to the next level where another security lady then walked us down to the front rail. I still have no idea how they knew my name and why they were so courteous to us.

 

Peace and Love,

Doc

[Weather Command]

SO GLAD you beat me to this! Mind you, I have NOT read your post yet but will give my review. After seeing DSO 1000 plus or minus times, I have crossed a few shitholes. This Shithole ranks in the top 10. Where do I start?

 

After walking thru the metal detector before the show, the guy asked me to show the brim of my hat and wanted to inspect my sunglasses that sat on top of my hat. OK, that was over the top, no pun intended. The venue had about 100 too many employees walking around the venue, directing, motioning, checking etc. This included multiple police. 

 

I immediately noticed that the entire floor was filled with chairs WITH assigned seating.. WHY? Dance is why the majority of us come to see DSO. Clearly, there was zero interaction between the promoter and the venue as to what kind of music that was planned this evening.

 

I witnessed a guy being arrested for smoking weed. I witnessed another guy getting arrested and his wife being knocked down. It appeared that they were intoxicated but the treatment was out of control. 

 

My friend had mentioned that she was really high at set break so, later,  I decided to go down to the front row where she was sitting to make sure she was doing ok. I sat next to her. The seat was open. I was courteous, quiet and thoughtful while conversing with her. Bubba, the stage security guard singled me out and asked to see my ticket and proceeded to kick me out. My friend was also astounded by the way I was treated.

 

I have to say that after speaking with several of their employees, they could care less about how I perceived things. I could never go back there. The one positive thing is that many of my mutual friends skipped this one....SMART!

 

If you can afford a $1600 suite upstairs ( which my friend had ), that wasn't bad. Having said that, at one point, a security guard came in the suite with his flashlight on.....that says everything you need to know about the place...

 

NO THANKS! Now, I will read the above original post.