Riverbend Music Center

i have seen dozens of shows here, and dozens at other amphitheaters.  hence, the low-ish rating.

riverbend has an awesome location, an awesome annex venue (pnc pavillion), an awesome lawn - and a terribly designed pavillion that obstructs views like no other.

i like hangin' on the lawn, but i will not go see a show at riverbend unless i am in the pavillion.  if that makes me a snob, so be it.  i am a live music snob and have the credentials to back it up.

so there.

the sound, it should also be noted, is terrible on the lawn.

i have NEVER, in my life, been to a venue where the pavillion and lawn experience were SO different.  tear down the pavillion and start anew.  after all, everything else is super cool at this place.

Eh. The "lawn" is short and made of astroturf and the pillars get in the way of seeing the performer. Which might be fine, if the video projection screens actually worked. Fail.

I saw Radiohead here a week ago and enjoyed the show. I was on the lawn and was able to hear the music fine, but it wasn't as loud as I would have liked. I could also barely see them as they were so far away for what I expected to be a more personal venue.

The staff was not the friendliest and the exit strategy was pretty clogged. I didn't mind the beer prices and this was something I was afraid of.

Overall, it was a positive experience and I enjoyed my time. I went with a bunch of CouchSurfers so that made for a fun show.