Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion At Walnut Creek

Worth the trip to see a show elsewhere.   I have been to at least ten shows here and have not once been satisfied.   From the traffic and parking issues to overpriced food and drinks to the lax security and crowd control, Walnut Creek continues to disappoint.  

Here is a summary of my last three shows just in case you need some examples:

- I had lawn tickets and was meeting friends.  As I showed up early and by myself, I attempted to take in an iPad (original version) so that I could read while waiting.  Security refused to let me take it in on the grounds that it is a "recording device".  Never mind that there is no microphone or camera (things that my allowed iPhone does have) on an iPad 1.   Common sense, folks.  My argument was lost on them, though iPads in general are now listed as a prohibited item.  My friends and I found good seats on the lawn, but they were only good until people started coming up the hill and standing right in front of the divider chain (a supposedly restricted area).  Security personnel were in the area, but didn't bother to try and correct the problem, even after I asked about it.  

-I bought the country megaticket (seats in the covered pavilion).  My friends and I tailgated through the first opening act and then went to our seats.  One row in front of us and two seats over was a woman who was completely wasted and puking in a rolled up poncho.  This went on for the entire opening act and the vast majority of the headliner.  At one point, she was passed out sitting on the ground in front of her seat.   Security came over to check on her FOUR times, but didn't remove her despite the protests of all of her neighbors who couldn't enjoy the concert.   Unacceptable.  

-My second concert with my megaticket.  I paid a good amount of money to be in seats under cover and expect to enjoy the show in my reserved space.  Impossible at the creek, apparently.   Two rows in front of me was a girl standing on her seat for the entire event.  No one behind her could see a thing.  In the row in front of me were four people trying to fit into two seats.  One of them was sitting on the back of the seat, putting his rear end directly on top of my drink in the cupholder.  Apparently they all had tickets, but not for where they were trying to sit.  There are new stickers on the backs of the seats encouraging patrons to report issues via text message.  I tried, but got a reply that the number on the sticker was not valid.   Sigh.  Over an hour to get out of the parking lot from premium parking.

Sometimes live music is just the deal you need to enjoy a warm summer evening and the TWC Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek is a great spot to make it happen!  I definitely understand the complaints but have seen several shows here and mostly enjoyed the experience.  The parking lots are free but there's a LONG walk to the front gates.  Then you gotta wait a bit for security and the ticketing.  Once inside they've got some half-decent beer and food stands but it's all a bit dated now.  Beers are $10 - $13 each which is very pricey and they card everybody.  Once you head on into the seating area, you go through a large lawn area that seats about 10,000 and then to the seats in front for another 6,000.  Only about half of those are covered.

Acoustics and the stage at TWC Music Pavilion are both pretty good, however their line-ups have been weak of late.  Definitely not my type of music so I haven't had a good reason to come here.  And yes, LiveNation-Ticketmaster runs the venue so you've got your usually outrageous tickets fees and they don't even mail (or email) you physical tickets!  Total joke, for the fees charged.  In the end I'll probably still come back from time to time but agree with most that this venue has not kept up to date with the service levels and concessions of other Triangle event spots.  Add in the excessive fees and beers and well, TWC Music Pavilion is definitely not on the top of my live music list.  

Which is unfortunate because I have done some decent concerts before at a decent price.  Those days seem long gone, unfortunately...

One of the worst experiences one can have in the triangle. The price gouging is off the charts. 80$ for four beers and a pulled pork sandwich. I feel like I return every two years to find that it has become even more shameful.

I hate this place. It kills music.