THE DREADEAD SECTION 203......dunt, dunt, duh!
Alpine Valley is a great place to tailgate and see a concert!
Here's my beef:
              SECTION 203 (almost) RUINS MY EXPERIENCE EVERYTIME!
Section 203 is the far right section of the pavilion (stage left for you drama club nerds).
There are no bathrooms on this side of the pavilion! Â So, if you're drinking fluids of any kind, you have to walk to the far opposite side of the pavilion OR walk up a very, very steep sidewalk to the bathrooms behind the lawn section (remember: Â Alpine Valley is a ski resort) .
I paid extra money to sit in the pavilion, but I have to walk to the back of the venue, up a steep hill, and wait behind the nice folks from the lawn to use a Port-o-Potty? Â
WTF?! Â Â
If your tickets are in Section 203, do yourself a huge favor and work some craigslist-scalper action to trade/sell them a way for center  stage or stage right tickets.  You will be happy you did!!!!!!!  Or bring your hiking shoes and plan on missing a lot of the show waiting to pee in an overflowing Port-o-Potty.
(fyi: Â "Tall boys" of beer are 13$ each)
I finally got the chance to check out Alpine Valley this weekend for the Zac Brown Band show, and I had a wonderful time.
We got there easy enough after dropping off the offspring. We arrived around 3:30 and got a nice close lot with fun people around us. The car next to us literally unloaded a couch and a coffee table to tailgate with. We started drinking and grilling immediately, and somehow lasted over five hours in the sun before going into the theater. It was all lines and mobs of people, but LiveNation had a ton of staff on site guiding people and asking questions.
There was an insanely long line to get wristbands for booze, but my company was a veteran, telling me that they weren't necessary. TIP: THEY AREN'T! I can imagine it would be pretty easy to get booze underage here. Be sure to have an ID on you in case they do decide to check, but I bought beer three times and they were so focused on getting everyone served quickly (awesome) that they didn't even care to check. NOTE, the beers, which are 13 bones, are big. I read that Bud Light snagged this place, but that musta changed this year as they were serving Corona, Heineken, Bud Light, Miller Lite and Lime-a-Ritas all in giant 24 ounce cans. I forgot that they were that big as I was quenching my thirst.
The hill is steep yeah, but much like a stadium, it prevents big headed people from getting in my way. I have no interest in watching the sixteen year olds make out to the ZBB song that played in their parents minivan on the way back from their first "date". I thought it was awesome to just sit on a blanket and listen to the music. I can say that the slope made my dance moves look a little more drunk than I hope I was, but it was fun. I definitely can imagine that it would be hilarious/dangerous to add the drunkards and the rain at this place.
It was packed to the brim, but I still could hear him which was nice. Did I mention how awesome the view is? Absolutely gorgeous. Yeah - port-o-potties, yeah - gross. Get drunk and get over it.
Awesome show, awesome venue, awesome staff, awesome time.
Despite how I felt the next morning, I cannot wait to go back.
I do not consider the summer complete or successful without seeing Dave Matthews Band at Alpine Valley. It is a religious experience. It's quite the drive for me but it's worth every cent of gas and minute on the road because DMB at Alpine is unparalleled. I think most DMB fans feel this way, it's our Mecca.
Getting there takes some determination. It is kind of out there in BFE. I get lost every time, but again, the concert experience is worth any problems you have up to that point. Traffic is horrible around the venue and parking is even worse. But Alpine is gorgeous and magical and I love it to pieces.
And... it truly is a very large venue. Much larger than you're expecting if you've never been there, acoustics are spectacular, it's a bit of drive and once you get close it's a significant frustration, but the experience is worth it.
If you haven't been there. Go now. Seriously.
I have a love/hate relationship with this venue. They have tailgating that opens six hours before the show starts, I mean that's pretty awesome in itself. They always draws acts that I love, my summer isn't complete without a trip up for Jimmy Buffet and Dave Matthews Band. The downsides? The porta potties are disgusting and they are rarely cleaned. If the venue is open for over 12 hours, the porta potties should be cleaned every 3-4 hours especially in dead summer. They rarely replenish the water to wash your hands too, it's out about 3 hours after the gates open. How they park the cars is anyone's guess really. They put you all off in different directions and sometimes put the cars way too close together but they make it work.
The crowd here is pretty decent, most are diehard fans (especially if you're getting to the show 8 hours early). That being said, an opportunity to party early leads to a lot of stumbling around and passing out well before the show begins. Almost anything goes here, including wearing very little clothing. This past summer it was 106 degrees with the heat index and there were several people who left little to the imagination. There are very few rules at Alpine and people take advantage. The retail portion of the venue normally opens up a few hours before the show (unless you are seeing a show that isn't that popular) for DMB the retail opens when the gates open so making the trek up to the main venue is a good way to pass some time if you need a breather.
Once inside, you are either pulling yourself uphill or gripping the railing and dragging your feet so you don't fall down the hill, when tipsy this route is almost impossible without a good buddy to hold you up (or a stranger that you choose to cling to). A majority of the crowd is in lawn seats, I have yet to even sit in an actual seat down in the covered portion. They have plenty of food options though. Right when you walk in you are bombarded by retail, food, and beer. If you go off to the left there is a covered paviliion area before you descend the hill where you can buy food, beer, and use the restroom. The food and beer prices here are ridiculous but that's pretty standard at all concert venues these days. You might as well eat at one of the tables because carrying all of your grub and brews back down the hill is treacherous even if you are stone cold sober.
The acoustics here are pretty great and watching the sun set behind the hills is quite a sight and makes this venue tolerable in my opinion. During the show, try not to move around, it gets really dark and bumping into people can be hazardous to your health. I have seen plenty of fights go down because people got impatient and tried to climb over the handrail and into the crowd on either side. When the show ends, be patient. The process of climbing the hill should have your full attention and getting out of the parking lot can sometimes take upwards of 3 hours. Some people continue tailgating because sitting in your car kind of puts a damper on the party.
Bottom line? I would stay away from this venue at all costs but they do draw some amazing acts and that's worth every penny, grass stain, and bruise.
Love this place. The sound is decent in the lawn, just a matter of how far you are than the sound begins to bleed. But still audible. Tailgating is awesome and definitely enhances the whole experience of being there. One show turns into a day event that can last from the time the parking lot opens to the time the parking lot is empty.
Review Source:AMAZING!!! Â The venue is naturally the best! The view of the ski hill in the background on the venue is glorious even in dry grass. Â The extra care taken by the staff is what makes this place ridiculous awesome. Â The mister tents and ice troughs in the lot for pre-show were so necessary on a hot day. Â The laides in the bathroom keeping it clean and being super friendly were a pleasant touch.
I haven't ever been in the lawn so I can't write on that. I know that it looks crazy steep and that would be rough... but... the seats and pit area were stupendous!
Alpine Valley blows my mind every time. If you're able to navigate through miles of Wisconsin backroads, through the huge backup of traffic to get into the parking lot, and make your way the half mile hike up a windy hilly road to the amphitheater, you'll be greeted by a 40,000 seat venue in the absolute middle of nowhere, with nothing but sprawling green in all directions. Its hard to describe in words just how HUGE this place is.
Tailgating is always a good scene (despite several signs apparently banning booze and grills--good luck enforcing that one). Also, Wisconsin people are as friendly as they come.
Getting here can be a chore, but there are several campgrounds nearby which is probably your best bet outside of staying in Milwaukee. The lawn is huge, so if you want to get close enough to view the stage, plan to get there early. Other than that, the natural acoustics are incredible and the sight lines are gorgeous--there's nothing between you and the stage. To me, Alpine is up there with the Gorge in WA as one of the best and most incredible music venues in the country.
HUGE! Alpine Valley is so huge!! I really was so surprised, I never expected AV to be so big. Â Thank God we had pavilion seats to because the other word that comes to mind when I think of AV is DANGER!! People were literally breaking their ankles on that lawn. Â I was warned but didn't think it would be as steep as everyone was saying. Â I would never have survived that lawn. Â It's stupid!!
Another thing about AV that I thought was totally stupid was that despite the giant size of the venue, restrooms are only on 1 side. Â The opposite side of where we were the first night. Â For the first time in my life, I didn't pee at all during the show! I was just not up for such a trek just to go to the bathroom. Â The second night we were on the other side so it wasn't so much of an issue. Â
They are pretty crazy over ticket stubs too here. Â Don't even try to sit with your friends because you have to show your stub every 10 feet. Â But they were not so tough on dancing in the isles...strange.
The parking lots were lame too. Â There was no shakedown at all, just a bunch of people drinking at their cars. Â Boring! Â That's no pre-show fun!!
So, I was left totally impressed with the size, and sound. Â But there were too many other negatives to make me feel like I want to go back.
Wow, wow, wow! Alpine Valley is an amazing place to see a concert. I was truly impressed with the size of the venue. The view from the lawn is amazing. Looking out on the stage and beyond was fantastic. The lawn is pretty steep, but it makes for a great sound quality and experience. Although some others were knocking the venue for the out of the way location, I actually did not mind it. It did take us a while to drive there and traffic was backed up a ways, but I kind of expect that for a concert. The only negative was that we got there early before the parking lot opened and they would not let us park on the side of the road and wait. So we sought out some local places to see in East Troy and found ourselves a Wild West museum to hang out at before the concert. The size of the venue, coupled with the sound, is what I think is most impressive. There is quite a walk from the parking lot to the actual stage - we did not know that prior to - but it is worth the view when you reach the destination. Many Live Trax albums are recorded here - I think that speaks to the quality.
Review Source:Excellent large venue!
You have to be prepared for the fact that it holds something like 50,000 people, so it's not exactly intimate. In fact, you know the local amphitheater in your hometown that you're used to seeing shows at? Alpine is likely double that size.
But given that, it's a surprisingly great place to see a show. There's a steep lawn, which does result in funny spills for many a tipsy concertgoer, but which also means good sightlines - even from waaay back. Speakers are all over the place so sound is pretty nice everywhere. Inside the pavilion, the views and sound are great as well; the roof is made of wood to create very sweet acoustics.
Alpine Valley does lose a star for its extremely remote location. While I dig a natural setting, this place is in the middle of freakin' NOWHERE. And that means:
1) Getting in and out of the lot is a hassle. It's so close to I-43, yet the access road is only two lanes, which creates a huge bottleneck for all the cars getting to/from the highway.
2) The closest hotel is 30 minutes away - and of course it's always full, which means YOUR hotel is probably 45+ minutes away. And there's no camping anywhere close either. So if you're the unlucky driver in your crew, hopefully you'll be sober enough for the long ride back home.
But once you're parked, logistics within the venue are surprisingly trouble-free. You'd think it would be hard to provide for smooth ingress, egress, drinks, and bathrooms for 50k people - but Alpine handles it quite well. And the staff is friendly and hands-off, giving no trouble to the fans, whatever their chosen buzz might be.
Alpine Valley's a great place for a summer show - even worth the trip from San Diego. Hopefully I'll be back next year.
hello, Alpine... Im Kevin, and i love you.
This enormous outdoor summer concert shed is located in south eastern-ish Wisconsin. most of the cookie cutter sheds you see thoughout the country hold about 20k, 5k in the pavilion and about 15k in the somewhat inclined lawn area.... well not Alpine.
Alpine holds 35 to 40k about 3/4 of this is the gigantic lawn area which is fucking steep. If you are in the lawn for a show, get in early and get a good spot. The sound can get "lost" in this vast area. i have been to shows where you can literally carry on a conversation at a normal tone, which really kind of sucks. Also, getting down in the lawn can be tough and will give you a great workout seeing as it is so steep.
What makes this venue so great is not the sound but rather the uniqueness of it. It is one of the last outdoor sheds that hasnt sold out to a corporate sponsor. It is also a ski hill so looking out from the lawn, past the stage offers a great view of the sun setting just as the show is starting. Awesome things that have happened while the sun is setting at Alpine include: The Rainbow while Robert Hunter was playing Brokedown Palace, the sun melting while Phish explodes into Divided Sky, faces melting and the sky turning colors while Phish takes the stage.... The list goes on and on and on and on. I have to admit i shed a tear walking out of the last Phish show at Alpine in 2004
Just saw Jack Johnson there and I have to say this was a great outdoor Amphitheater. Â Again- being from the Bay area there was 3 quite close to the city. Â I had to get used to the 1.5 hr drive form Chicago- but it was well worth the drive!!!!!
I would suggest reserved seating- as the lawn is one big drunken scene. Â If you are truly there for the music- I would suggest spending the extra $$$$ for the better scene!!!
Invoking all the Senses
Though it is a bit of a trek from Chicago, Alpine Valley (located in East Troy, WI) is worth the many hassles to hear one of your favorite bands. This amazing outdoor arena with some of the best acoustics seats nearly 36,000 with a huge lawn for relaxing and listening. Almost a community of its own, Alpine Valley has ample food and drink vendors, though it is on the pricey side (what concert isn't).
Now, I can't fully sugar coat the venue saying it's all sunshine and butterflies; everything about arriving and departing from this destination - for lack of a better word - blows. Because Alpine Valley is located in a small town (with basically one road leading to the venue), all of Chicago is cramming in and/or out and one time. There is not much to do to avoid it other than arriving extra, extra early or leaving late (which they most likely frown upon).
The Bottom Line: Stay calm and be patient, it's worth it to see your favorite band.
I will NEVER go back to Alpine Valley again. Â I don't care if the dead Beatles were resurrected and were only performing one show and it was at Alpine Valley - I'd wait for the DVD.
Seriously. Â This place is AWFUL! Â
I went to the Rage Against the Machine show this past Friday. Â It's supposed to be a two hour drive from the city to East Troy. Â We left at rush hour and it poured while we were en route so it took us about 2:15 to get near the venue...then another 2 1/2 HOURS to park! Â I swear! Â Two and a half hours to move 5 miles. Â People were just parking their cars on the side of the road and running to the venue in order to make it in time for the performance. Â They had three roads merging into one lane. Â Terrible.
So we finally park our car in the muddiest field of all time (cars were getting stuck left and right) and make the hike to the venue (about a 20 minute walk). Â We had pavilion seats, meaning two tickets with actual seat numbers printed on them. Â We were two and a half hours late for the show so after we grab our beers, we attempt to make our way.
We didn't make it. Â It was PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE. Â The lawn was packed with drunk, stoned, and completely incompetent fans. Â We physically could not get to our seats.
So we trek back up the muddy hill. Â I have two beers in my hand following this guy who's dragging his girlfriend behind him, starting a fist fight with everyone who steps in front of him. Â Meanwhile, I'm yelling, "Stop!! Â Keep walking!! Â Stop fighting!!" and pushing anyone out the way who gets in mine. Ugh.
We try to find someone who works there, someone who looks of sound mind to help us to our seats (side note: Â Rage had been playing for about 40 minutes at this point - unbeknownst to us there was about 30 minutes left...after a 5 hour trip). Â The only person we could find over 14 was the one woman guarding the entrance to backstage. Â We approach her. Â It's quickly understood that she is fucking baked. Â
"Excuse me...we have pavilion seats but we can't seem to get to them. Â Is there a separate entrance to get to the covered seats?"
"Uh...um...I don't know. Â You could, like, try that staircase," Â she says, peering out from her bloodshot eyes as she sways back and forth.
So we head to said staircase. Â Mind you, I've seen ZERO authority figures this entire evening and one employee over the age of 15. Â This was the kind of concert someone gets trampled to death at.
The staircase is no help. Â It just leads us to some private decks filled with, again, more drunks. Â We helped ourselves. Â At this point, with 20 minutes left of the show, I didn't give a shit where I was. Â I just didn't want to get pelted with one of the many flying plastic cups or lit cigarettes. Â The private decks, although risky, were the best option.
All in all, this place is horrible. Â 100% horrible. Â Horrible direction, horrible management, THE WORST employees. Â
Bad. Â Bad, bad, bad.
Consistently listed as some band's favorite venue. The Grateful Dead and Dave Matthews Band routinely and openly say how much they love playing here.
For me, my first show was Aerosmith here, as a worker. I spent a season during my high school summer working security. I got a red shirt cleverly labeled with the words, "Security" on the back and thus, I was able to wantonly patrol the crowd. One show, I was placed on duty -- my post was the top of the grassy hill where I would be a lookout for illicit activities such as sex and guys and girls who would head to the fence to urinate. I once saw a crowd of people in a circle chanting "go, go, go" and when I got there, it was a couple not cheering wildly for the show, but having wild, animal sex. Since at that point in my life, a stiff breeze would blow me over, I decided not to disgruntle the meth-addled freak of natures that were staring on at the sexual acts taking place. I just sorta pretended I didn't see anything and walked down the hill.
Also at OzzFest, I was down near the stage and embroiled in a Battle of epic proportions. The drug-crazed crowd fueled by liquor and anything else they had ingested that day was basically starting to riot. Most of the crowd at the top of the hill started to scrounge the grass for garbage, bottles, blankets, small children and then placed their findings into two large piles near the large orange barriers that hold up sound equipment. They actually tried to light them on fire. While that was happening, us "security guards" formed a human chain and watched as the sky above us turned from a light blue to one completely filled with garbage and bottles being tossed into the air. Much of the refuse was being hurtled downhill and I recall dodging plastic bottles filled with earth and grass and other byproducts like I was some battle-tested soldier holding a strategic point.
Even if you are on the lawn, most experiences will be calm and fun. The acoustics here are great and the scenery around the venue is very beautiful.
I have seen a number of Rock concerts here. If  it's good weather and you get here early enough and your ready to hang out and have a picnic your experience will probably be much better. If you get here close to show time, like I have on one occasion it can be awful. The property is huge, acres of land, giant lawn area and a big hill for gen. admission which can be a big mess. Try to get reserved seats under the awning, then you'll actually see the band and have a much better experience all the way around. I have many stories to tell about this place and the people and bands I have met here. Stay at the lodge next door if you can and make a weekend out of it.
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