08/27/09

Disgusting Venue

by RudyV

Saw NIN on 8/26/09 and even though I'm a huge fan of the band the venue ruined the show for me. There was minimal ventilation which in it of itself is a problem but was made worse when the steam and sweat from the crowd caused enough condensation that actual drops of sweat and other junk started dripping from the ceiling of the balcony above us. It wasn't just one or two drops but you could have probably filled half-a-cup with what dripped on me. The lines of vision are also terrible for this place. Unless you're willing to stand in a hot,sweaty, and uncomfortable pit you're going to have something obstructing your view. For me it was partly the balconies as well as the columns supporting the poles. A testament of how bad the lines of vision are is the fact that venue provides flat-screen televisions on the upper floor. Why would anyone want to look at a tv? Unless NIN plays there again I don't envision myself going to this venue again.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Lines of vision are horrible. No ventilation.

05/27/09

horrrible sound, terrible venue

by jamallen80

I've been to just about every major venue in NYC, and this one is by far the worst out of all of them. Terrible sound quality, poor construction inside (walls look like a bunch of college kids built them in a frat). The upstairs levels are terrible, as you can't see anything - that's why they installed the flatscreen TV's up there. If I want to watch a show on a flatscreen TV, I'll watch palladia at home!

Also, the sound is a complete wash - unless you are directly in front of the stage where you can semi hear what the band hears, it's trash. And good luck getting to the front unless you get there 3 hours before the show starts.

It's really unfortunate, because for some reason all the promoters are booking the best acts there - they must treat the musicians really well or something back stage, because this venue is terrible for FANS! I hope the musicians wise up and see that the fans write bad reviews of this place, and book more shows at Hammerstein, Bowery Ball Room, Music Hall of Williamsburg, etc. Those are excellent clubs, with great sound. Even Webster Hall is better.

• Pros: none
• Cons: many

03/25/09

For everyone complaining about the sound....

by jforsythe62

It is true the sound here is not great, and something that should be noted is that Bowery Presents in all of its other venue's (webster, ballroom, music hall, mercury lounge) had chosen either EAW or Meyer Sound speaker rigs - basically the Ferrari and Porche of pro loud speakers. For some reason a JBL system was the choice here, which is sort of the Mercedes C-Class of the group..... fine for the layman, but you're not getting your hair tossed back.

I was there for the Bloc Party show on 3/24, and all of the criticism voiced on this board is pretty valid - the sight lines are not good (although not terrible), it is far away (but not that far.... whoever said it was a 15-20 minute walk from 53rd clearly is not walking fast enough), the sound is not great (but not offensive), the drinks are expensive (what did you expect?). It was all fine though, and the show was fun - I had a bigger problem with the people at the show than the venue, but that's me. I'll be avoiding it when possible, but if someone you've got to see is playing there..... well, what are you going to do?

• Pros: Example: best croissants in town
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?