Freedom Hill Amphitheater

Went to see FOREIGNER concert. First of all, pay the $5.00 and you can valet park. We got in and got out without any problems. I live right behind Freedom Hill and can hear the concerts but really wanted to see this one. Even though they started late, Foreigner did a great show. They played all their hits and a new song. They even sang with middle school students for last act and donated a signed guitar to be raffled off for a scholarship for these kids. Great idea. Mixed drinks were $12 which is high and it was very muggy. Party in their lot before any concerts. Sound system has improved but wish there were ceiling fans to circulate some air.

First time at Freedom Hill might be my last time at Freedom Hill. I went with my boyfriend on Saturday, June 29 to see the band Cake. I have seen Cake before, as well as MANY other shows in and around the Detroit area. So I am familiar with most of the music venues. To compare, this is not going to be a good review for Freedom Hill OR Cake.

First off, to agree with Andrea R. and her experience - the parking situation here is TERRIBLE. You are directed where to park, but good luck getting out of the place. Thankfully, we were parked near the entrance, so what could have been 2 hours of waiting became only about a half hour. Still though, that was pure luck. Getting into the place was a nightmare and the line to get in was several blocks down the road blocking traffic from crossing thru at least 2 intersections before the event. So, I hope you remember to leave early and your car can take over an hour of idling in traffic. Wait...I didn't mention the price to park here. $15 TO PARK HERE. Don't think there are other options, both the church next door and several other places had full lots. We tried!

The ticket prices at the door were like $25. By ordering early (as I don't live near the area) I paid double that (counting service charges) for 2 tickets. I also spent $20 in gas (round trip) to get here, which all in all cost me about $120 to see this show and I am not a wealthy person. That price is just for 2 tickets and gas there and back. To then greet me at the door with a parking charge of $15? I think you just lost my future business, Freedom Hill. That is just humiliating.

If you do go, bring a cooler and have your beverages and snacks in the car before you go in. Or you will regret it.

We had pavilion seats. They were comfortable, but you know the deal. You pay for seats, but everyone still has to stand. So you have to stand as well. The view was very good, the sound was excellent.

They do not frisk you or anything upon entrance. So if you can sneak your camera or a beverage in, good luck. It might be different in the future.

They had a carnival going on at the same time. Not really the best idea, since parking was already a nightmare. I wasn't expecting Ferris wheels.....  

As for Cake.....

They only played liked 12 songs. They had like an hour and a half to perform. In that time they took 3 breaks of considerable time. The singer likes to talk. I am fine with that, but then they should keep in mind that they will be playing longer to make up for all of his talking (about a half hour of talking, average). He gave a tree to a fan. Ok, "nice" and "eco" and all of that. He humiliated the fan and told him he would grow up to be fat and ugly, pretty much. I laughed, but I am glad it wasn't me up there in front of a stadium of people being made fun of publically. These are your fans, Cake. They probably have similar view points as you do, so why would you insult them? Go ahead and knock society and all of its ills. I get it. But so do most of the people in your audience (assuming they listen to your lyrics).

The band sounded great. CD quality sound. Impressive. Very talented musicians, for sure. I have been a fan for a very long time. I enjoyed the music. But I paid $120. So only playing like 12 songs was an insult. I have been to stadium shows where the main act plays for over 2 hours and you get a LOT more than 12 songs. My count might not be 100% accurate, it is just a guess. But I can't be far off.

So there is my review. I tried to be as thorough as I could be. I hope this helps other people in deciding if this is a good place to see a show or not.

In comparing it to Pine Knob/DTE, it is similar. It is just a little bit smaller. As I said, I didn't buy anything when there, so I can't give you prices but other people have commented on that.

I have recently moved back to Michigan, and was thrilled to find out Freedom Hill was open again! I used to frequent the venue, and was so disappointed that it had to shut down for awhile. I am a classical musician, so I hate hearing about things like that.

Anyway, I went to see Kool and the Gang with my Mom last night, 6/30.
We live about ~9 miles away from the venue, and left with ample time to get settled at the concert and maybe grab a drink or two. Although we left early, it took us a solid 90 minutes to get there and park. Ridiculous! Apparently there was a carnival going on as well, which we had no idea about. The planning for this, and the parking situation was absolutely unacceptable and atrocious. But, at that point I was still optimistic. It takes awhile to get to a show sometimes, and maybe I should have known enough to research if there was or was not a carnival going on at the same time.

So, after parking and losing a shoe in the mud (whatever, I'm outdoorsy, I can deal) on the way to the amphitheater, I was (and this is a bit of praise) thrilled to see the improvements that have been made since I last visited (about 8 years ago). It looked great, and the bathrooms were much improved.

Concessions: Way overpriced. The venue is not of that caliber yet to justify an $8 watery beer. Also, the wait staff, though very friendly, were pretty unenthusiastic and unhelpful (I don't blame them.). This could use some revamping, in my opinion. But, it's better than it used to be.

Concert: Although it started very late, I thought it was great! Sound system was dialed in, and loved the seats and show. Had a great time with my Mom (aside from the couple that was one base away from having intercourse in the row in front of us, but what are you going to do?).

This section is why I'm giving this show a horrible rating: After the show it was a nightmare leaving the parking lot. Concert ended at about 10:45, we get to the car at 11:00. and there is no one moving. Lines and lines of cars, no movement or progress. So, not wanting to kill the battery, we sat in the car for over an hour. Only then was there slight progress in the line(s) of traffic, so we decided to get on board and pick a line. Mistake. Still stand-still. I've been to many many shows and events, and this is the WORST I have ever seen in terms of logistical planning for traffic, etc. Awful. We sat there in line another  hour, and at this point people were leaving their vehicles to go to the bathroom in the woods. Also, people's tempers started to flair.

Having lived through Hurricane Sandy, it somewhat reminded of that sort of situation. You could not get anywhere, and there was no one around to help once you got to the point of actually leaving the parking lot (which was a 2 hour process.)

All in all, took us 2.5 hours to get home, and my Mom had to get up for work very early. It was a nightmare, and although the concert was fun, I will NEVER go to Freedom Hill again. Unless I ride my bike there.