My Favorite Concert Venues- Number 1
With the summer music season in full swing, I was discussing with my friends what our favorite venues were. Our discussion ran the gamut from stadiums to amphitheaters to small clubs, with everyone chiming in on what they liked and why.
I figured that I would share a few of my favorites and have you share a few of yours. To give this some sort of build up I decided to do it top five style here were the previous four:
5) The House of Blues (Hollywood)
4) Wiltern Theatre
3) Water Street Music Hall
2) Santa Barbara Bowl
and now…
My Absolute Favorite Place- SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center)
Cut out of a state park north of Albany, NY, SPAC has been my favorite outdoor venue for years. Good acoustics, great setup, and just a flat out awesome place to see a concert, SPAC offers up everything you want in an outdoor venue.
I have never had a bad experience on any level from traffic flow, to tailgating, to my seats. Everyone I have deal with there has always been great from security to any of the staff, I can’t say a negative thing about them. Saratoga is a hot spot during the summer because of the horse track, so it can get a little pricing staying in a hotel around the area, but down town Saratoga during the summer offers up a vibrant nightlife.
While most of their shows are usually Orchestra or Ballet, SPAC always offers up an array of concerts mixed in. To see their schedule this season, click here.
Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers Band, O.A.R., and a few other national acts will take the stage this summer, I highly recommend making the trek to see one of the shows.
What is your all time favorite venue?
Technorati Tags: Favorite Concert Venue, SPAC, Dave Matthews Band, Allman Brothers Band, O.A.R.
8 Comments
I like the SPAC too but heres my list.
4.The Gorge
3.Alpine Valley
2.Greek Theater(Berkley)
1. Red Rocks
I have never met a person that has been to Red Rocks and didn’t love it.
[...] Jam Bands News chronicles their favorite places to see live music [...]
RED ROCKS is #1!! I love that place… Cervantes in Denver is great too!!
I have to go with Red Rocks as my favorite also. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing some great acts there from SRV back in ‘82 to the two nights of Mule / Allman Bros last September.
SB
I saw the Dead 76 times, Phish 54 times and Panic, as of last night, 30 times, not to mention countless other bands. I keep my ticket stubs, torn since 1987, in a coffee jar and so far the stack requires three rubber bands to hold them together. So, needless to say I’ve been to quite a few venues over the years, as I’m sure many of you have, too. But I have to say this is my all-time list:
* Hampton Coliseum – Hampton, VA
* Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation
5. Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC
4. Harbor Center – Portsmouth, VA
3. SPAC – Saratoga Springs, NY
2. Red Rocks Amphitheater – “The Edge,” CO
1. The Gorge – 17 miles outside George, WA
*Special Mentions
This is a fairly intimate setting for outdoor concerts. It’s called Skippers Smokehouse. In the
past year, I’ve seen Hot Tuna, the New Riders
of the Purple Sage, and Donna the Buffalo. Other
performers who have graced this jewel in Tampa Bay are Derek Trucks and Mountain.
10th annual, Rockin’ the Rivers, Three forks Montana, August 8,9,10th, 2008. 3 days. 30 bands, camp on site, free showers, The most freedom i’ve ever experienced at any venue, anywhere…Artists so far, Alice cooper, Journey, 38 Special, Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent, George Througood, Thin Lizzy, Marshall Tucker band, REO Speedwagon, Blue Oyster Cult, Loverboy, The Guess Who, Starship, John Kay & Steppenwolf, BTO, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, April wine, Rick Derringer, (Bad co’s) Mark Farner, Grand funk railroad, Spencer Davis group, Foriegner’s Lou Gramm, Gin Blossoms, Jackyl, Great White, Pat Travers, Nazarath, Everclear, Plus many,many, more