What Is Your Favorite Arena/Concert Venue?

[Erin]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Marcus Amphitheater is kinda dumpy, but its far better than the monstrosity that is whatever-they're-calling-it-now shed in Tinley Park. Bradley Center, eh... narrow seats, cramped.



wha wha wha?? I know I'm biased, but there's a great mix of all types/shapes/sizes! I love the Vic, the Riv(iera), the Aragon for rock shows... and for the theater shows, you can't beat the Auditorium/Chicago Theatres... the Civic Opera House, the Palace, the Oriental, etc. Even outdoor shows, which normally make my skin crawl, can be enjoyable at Ravinia or the Navy Pier/Northerly Island boutique sheds.

For larger scale venues, Allstate Arena is quite the dumpy barn, as is the hideous Rosemont Theatre (actually, all of Rosemont is a ****hole.. I can only think of one reason why I'd ever set foot in that town again) United Center has nice amenities, at least. Haven't been to the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates yet, but I'm sure its nicer (as its smaller)

What Chicago venues are you thinking of?

Sorry, I was referring to the big arenas and sheds. First Midwest Bank Amphitheater is the name of the shed in Tinley, at the moment. It is truly awful. I've played on the stage (graduation ceremonies when I was in high school), and everything bounces off the pillars so you can't hear anything but a muddled mess. For those in the crowd the first few rows are fine, but after that horrible sound. They keep saying they're going to sell the land and tear it down, but there haven't been any buyers...so the shows go on!

The United Center has nice amenities, as you mentioned, but crappy sound from the shows I've seen there (U2, the Rolling Stones). I don't think Allstate's sound is that bad, but it's in such bad shape. I haven't been to the Rosemont Theater. Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island didn't exactly blow me away with high quality sound, plus port-o-potties! Yuck! I also don't like the bleacher seating. I haven't been to the Sears Centre either, but it's already a negative for me because Hoffman Estates is a pain to get to from where I live.

I do like the Civic Opera House (was there for the Damnation of Faust on Friday night), the Auditorium, Chicago Theater, etc. But for the most part rock concerts aren't held in these venues with good reason, so I feel cheated! I'm not a big fan of the Aragon, Riviera, or the House of Blues. The first two are dirty (can't someone take a mop and clean, plus put up a fresh coat of paint to these places?), and the HOB just annoys me with their buy stuff so you can stand in line inside line, and their overly aggressive security.