SPAC way overrated as a venue

[watchtower41]

This year was the 2nd straight year me and my buddy went to SPAC as a segue into/from Meadows. This place is absolutely beautiful. The acoustics are kick ass, the band sounds great and has never played a bad show, the crowd is decent, but not horrible. For the most part, SPAC is a great place to witness a dmb show. The security and ushers on the other hand have to be the absolute WORST in the nation. For some strange reason they feel their little amphitheater is god's greatest gift or the 8th wonder of the world. Please. First off, coming into the venue, checking each and every phone to see if it has a camera...the guy takes a look a mine, ohh , this is a popular phone...know why? because it has a camera. " I am denying you entry or taking your phone from you." What????? Surely I cant take the 45 minute walk back to the car 5 minutes before the band comes on...... ok, easy on the power trip grandpa, I'll get in a another line thank you very much. You finally get in Fort Knox, and the ushers harrass you like youre giving away candy. Ticket stub please ticket stub please Ticket stub please Ticket stub please. Yeah this IS my seat PLEASE STOP bothering me during every song. Ticket stub please. Is that a cigerette??? Yeah, I was asked to put out a cigerette on the LAWN on the way up to the bathroom. No smoking on the lawn....WHAT A JOKE. Meanwhile one kick ass show is going on known as 8.27.03. But what does the SPAC staff care???? They have season ticket patrons to worry about wanting servings of wine and cheese. Can somebody please tell me how this place can handle the Dead or Ozzfest??? Christ, most of these juri's would be rolling into their graves with crowds like that..... dmb fans are mellow, especially at SPAC, I just dont understand what is stuck up their donkeys over there at SPAC. ok I'm done, and plus work is almost over now!

[ModestMouse2003]

:lol :lol :lol

nothin like rantin and ravin

[DMBMike36]

i think the reason security is so tight is b/c its owned by the state (its in a state park) and they want to keep it really really really clean

[Nick11dx]

spac is def a beautiful venue but yes the securtiy is nuts!

[MRGreySt.YNK]

I have been to SPAC twice, and both times, i never had a problem getting in. In fact the second time i went there this year, for a Neil Young, on July 4th no less, we walked right in no security, of course we had to show our tickets, but thats it, no big deal. I thought that the security was no different then anyother venue I have been too, Germine had sometight security for getting in the pavillion, but thats expected. You have to expect some security at concerts and other public events. SPAC is beautiful and is the second or third best venue to see a show.

[watchtower41]

Originally posted by MRGreySt.YNK
I have been to SPAC twice, and both times, i never had a problem getting in. In fact the second time i went there this year, for a Neil Young, on July 4th no less, we walked right in no security, of course we had to show our tickets, but thats it, no big deal. I thought that the security was no different then anyother venue I have been too, Germine had sometight security for getting in the pavillion, but thats expected. You have to expect some security at concerts and other public events. SPAC is beautiful and is the second or third best venue to see a show.


lucky man right there..... then again thats for a Neil Young show, not dmb. last year there wasnt too many problems, this year it was beyond unacceptable.

[greyavenue]

may i recommened the molson amphitheatre...it has to be the most lax security at any venue DMB has ever played at

quick pat on the ass and your in the place

[watchtower41]

Originally posted by greyavenue
may i recommened the molson amphitheatre...it has to be the most lax security at any venue DMB has ever played at

quick pat on the ass and your in the place


if only you didnt have to deal with the border patrol...... :lol


youre going to a concert in canada??? red tag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[saygoodbye12]

You forgot the worst thing about the venue and that is their exit procedure. I have never in my life had to stand in a line like I did the first night in order to get out of someplace. Plus..people pushing and being overall annoying didn't help either.

[penn darvis]

Worst (strictest) security ever is the security at the HOB at Disneyland. Man, the friendly frisk there is a little too friendly.

[tinkledrinker]

Very bad incident at SPAC in 1997. Lawn crowd stormed the amphitheatre which caused a pretty bad scene. Dave was screaming at the crowd to back off because people were being crushed up front, security dragging injured people from the orchestra pit, hundreds of people without tickets stormed the back fences etc etc. It was a bad scene. I love the fact that SPAC has stepped up security. Not sure why people make a fuss about security - if you're not doing anything wrong than you have nothing to worry about.

[MistreatedLewis]

I agree with the comment about the phone camera. Probably the same jerk made my friends and I take the half hour walk back to the car because one of us had one. Luckily, we were there before the opening act started (I had already seen Mr. Betts and wasn't too interesting in catching it again). The camera is nowjere near good enough to take pictures of the stage from the back of the pavillion, which is where we were sitting. And most of the security guards didn't care at all. It was really idiotic. Maybe they should spend a little more time worrying about knives being thrown at band members, and a little less time worrying about camera phones?

I guess that was a little harsh.

[Holla9]

I don't think the security is that bad. I can't remember how the security was either night last year because I was so drunk , but I know it wasn't bad this year . I had no problem at all getting in my camera , they didn't even check my pockets . I can't believe you got yelled at for smoking a cigarette ... I smoked a full pack on the lawn at SPAC the second night :lol

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by saygoodbye12
You forgot the worst thing about the venue and that is their exit procedure. I have never in my life had to stand in a line like I did the first night in order to get out of someplace. Plus..people pushing and being overall annoying didn't help either.

i walked all the way around the venue from the far exit. i didnt even bother with the main one. what a fuckin joke. 25,000+ people through one bridge and 4 gates at once, please

[Ducci]

if you want tight security for a dmb show, you should have went to central park, the dudes grabbed your nuts before allowing you entrance to the great lawn, it kinda tickled, but the guy still grabbed your nuts.

[brydro]

about freekin time somebody says spac is overated and its not just cause I know you either...people are always talkin like spac is a mecca for a dmb show not so...DESPISE THE SECURITY....I almost got a full body cavity search where they scraped the back of my teeth...its amazing I made it out alive to talk about....

[brydro]

if you want tight security for a dmb show, you should have went to central park, the dudes grabbed your nuts before allowing you entrance to the great lawn, it kinda tickled, but the guy still grabbed your nuts.


Dude your talking 100,000 people...cant compare cp to a regular spac show....

[Mark]

if you want tight security for a dmb show, you should have went to central park, the dudes grabbed your nuts before allowing you entrance to the great lawn, it kinda tickled, but the guy still grabbed your nuts.
you brought back a 6 month old thread to tell us that?

[GoLdpHiShDMB]

Most places barely touch you when you enter the venues. Sounds like a shitty place to spark a bowl & enjoy a show.

[bohazo]

Most places barely touch you when you enter the venues. Sounds like a shitty place to spark a bowl & enjoy a show.

I wouldn't try this at SPAC.

SPAC would be the best venue I have been to except for the security with poles up their asses, that damn beer garden, and the .5 mile walk to the bathroom. Still a great venue and the peolple there for the show have always been great.

[dmb41er]

I wouldn't try this at SPAC.

SPAC would be the best venue I have been to except for the security with poles up their asses, that damn beer garden, and the .5 mile walk to the bathroom. Still a great venue and the peolple there for the show have always been great.

agree... great venue and great crowds:thumbsup


also tailgating is well worth mentioning:thumbsup

[BustedJeff]

Errr...I have not had a problem with security at SPAC. I've only had good times there so far.

[dmb41er]

i know ive never had a problem.... you cant judge a venue unless youve been there several times cuz you could go once and have a bad experience but it doesnt mean anything..... ive been to 8 shows at spac and havent had any problems

[bohazo]

I also have never had a problem with security per se but you can tell they are looking for it by the way they just walk all over the place, up and down the aisles. Last year on night one a security guard made the entire row in front of us show their stubs, not sure why, they were all in the right seats. I think they just might ovedue it a bit.

But like I said, some of the best fans I have come across, certainly better then the ones at the Meadows and Mansfield.

Oh and in my last comment I meant I wouldn't try sparking a bowl here-that could only lead to trouble.

[Holla9]

Most places barely touch you when you enter the venues. Sounds like a shitty place to spark a bowl & enjoy a show.

SPAC is a great place to spark a bowl and enjoy the show .

[dougseh142]

Hey. Quick question. I'll be making my first trip to SPAC tomorrow and I was wondering if anyone knew if grilling is allowed in the parking lots and how strict they are about drinking. I'm over 21, but the cops at Columbus were ridiculous. Thanks guys.

[Nick11dx]

Hey. Quick question. I'll be making my first trip to SPAC tomorrow and I was wondering if anyone knew if grilling is allowed in the parking lots and how strict they are about drinking. I'm over 21, but the cops at Columbus were ridiculous. Thanks guys.

yeah its allowed...enjoy and see yall there!

[Holla9]

No smoking on the lawn my ass. I'll smoke a full pack on the lawn tomorrow night .

[bohazo]

They allow drinking outside the venue but I would put it in a cup even if you are over 21, no need to piss them off for no reason and they might hassle you. There are cops on horses that make the rounds but as long as you are cool about it I don't think you will have any problems. Now that you mention it I don't really recall seeing any grills so I can't answer that question.

As for smoking they do allow it on the lawn but certainly not in the pavillion-they will come running over and make you go for a walk to the lawn. Inside the venue there is a beer garden (a.k.a beer jail) and you have to drink it there so I would do all the drinking outside the venue which is probably good advice anyway.

Enjoy your first trip to SPAC-the fans are among the best I have ever seen (Two Step chants not withstanding).

[gjonesy2k]

I just saw the two Phish shows there...the lawn was a free-for-all. However, although beautiful, it is very overrated.

[barefoot]

yea, SPAC is nice but overated I think. I have been to 3 shows there, all solid but the lawn does suck. I think Mansfield is better, anyone who hasnt been there should check it out.

[timg1414]

i think the reason security is so tight is b/c its owned by the state (its in a state park) and they want to keep it really really really cleanand the state is liable for everything that goes on there so if you get intoxicated on whatever you do up there and get hurt its the states fault and they are the one who ends up paying if/when you sue

[EatSleepJeep]

For some reason, people build this place up to be something it clearly is not. I don't know if they've only been there, or can only compare it to hartford, or what the case is, but it's not that great. Take the beer jail, the no smoking nazis, the uptight security, the bad views from the lawn/balcony. It's not a premier venue. It's not equal to the Gorge, and Alpine far outshadows it.

[dobyblue]

if only you didnt have to deal with the border patrol...... :lol


youre going to a concert in canada??? red tag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just don't do anything illegal at the border.

Always plenty of buds going around at the Molson Amphitheatre. :)

[dancinancies090]

they just patted me both times and nothing happened and i had a camera phone

[soupsmp]

If anyone was at SPAC back in 97 - you would understand the reason behind the tight security. Hundreds of people without tickets overpowering security (which there wasn't much of at the time) by jumping the fences, follwed by thousands of lawn ticketholders rushing the orchestra - Dave was none too happy. It was a bad scene.

Also, keep in mind SPAC was built in the early 1960s and could probably use a facelift.

[mxz440fan]

they just patted me both times and nothing happened and i had a camera phonenight one i could have snuck a 35 mm in, they asked me to pretty much spin in a circle and said "go ahead"

[jrcdmb40]

they just patted me both times and nothing happened and i had a camera phone
same, i even asked the security guard night one if hed touch my butt. he replied with a no.

[Rippy]

I dont get it.... if a venue is really nice and beautiful, how is it "over rated". seems kinda dumb

[firedancer715]

This is my first time going to SPAC - went on 7/3/04 (that was me with 'SPAC or bust' written on my back window..). It was fantastic. We had some pretty decent seats in lower level pavillion. I smoked my lungs black on the ride up (5+ hours due to tons of traffic - should've been 4 at most) and smoked for the most part on the lawn while the opening act was doing their thing. I managed to sneak a few smokes in while at my seat - but everything was cool for the most part. Security wasn't too bad - they hardly even searched my purse, and I saw plenty of people with camera phones near me. I did manage to get felt up by the one security chick which was interesting, but hey - whatever. I have nothing to hide, so it's all gravy. I was entering the venue around 6 I think.

The exit sucked, and the parking pretty much sucked.. but I wouldn't have had a problem with parking if traffic wasn't backed up near the Tappan Zee Bridge giving us the root of our traffic problems which made us later than I wanted to be (I was aiming for an ETA of 430pm). Exiting the venue was just horrible. But to me.. that's to be expected. No venue I've been in has been that great. I just figure that there's thousands of others that are in the same boat as I am.. no reason to get pissed off about it.

Hence why we sat in the parking lot listening to Limp Bizkit cranked up while everyone sat in parking lot traffic all pissed off. No worries baby! :)

[The Sean]

i was standing at my seat, in the middle of my section, texting my friend. tap tap, its a guard. "youre not taking pictures are you?". my phone doesnt even have a camera. "oh, i saw the screen so i thought i'd check it out. you can use that to keep a setlist, but thats it"

yeah, security is pretty nuts

[mattyk72]

Personally I appreciate that they do their jobs at SPAC. I've been to other venues where the rows are cramped with people who aren't even supposed to be there, you've got drunk a-holes blowing smoke in your face, etc.

[mxz440fan]

i asked security about cameras after night 2 and they said its DMB's policy, not SPACs. if warehouse sponsers a photography contest...how does DMB ban cameras? or is that part of the ploy?

[firedancer715]

i asked security about cameras after night 2 and they said its DMB's policy, not SPACs. if warehouse sponsers a photography contest...how does DMB ban cameras? or is that part of the ploy?

Sounds like a good question to be emailed to the Warehouse.

[timmyt23]

i asked security about cameras after night 2 and they said its DMB's policy, not SPACs. if warehouse sponsers a photography contest...how does DMB ban cameras? or is that part of the ploy?
I don't think it necessarily has to be pictures taken at DMB shows, just good photography in general.

[The Sean]

i dont understand, why arent cameras allowed at shows, like in general. not many acts allow cameras.

[doug_gill]

Hence why we sat in the parking lot listening to Limp Bizkit cranked up while everyone sat in parking lot traffic all pissed off...

I'd probably be pretty pissed too if I was sitting in traffic next to Limp Bizkit blaring.

[cryfreedmb41]

LoL. I go to SPAC every year, and I hear you on security being a pain in the ass. However, you must have had an unique expierence cause I never heard them being that bad. I was in the pit, and the did give my boyfriend a hard time when he tried using his camera phone. But also, he knows some of the secuity there and they say the camera policy is dave, not SPAC

[mxz440fan]

i dont understand, why arent cameras allowed at shows, like in general. not many acts allow cameras.when i asked security after the show (one of which happened to be a brother at a fraternity i almost pledged to :rolleyes: ) he said its because people were posting pictures on the internet faster then [rudy]. i couldn't imagine anyone could get better pictures then him, and why it would matter if they did :confused:
what are people going to do...sell them for 5 cents? :lol

anyone know who got busted night 2 for the camera + telephoto lens?

[firedancer715]

I'd probably be pretty pissed too if I was sitting in traffic next to Limp Bizkit blaring.

They were pissed cuz they were sitting in traffic, people were cutting in on each other, etc. Only one person told me Limp Bizkit sucked.. so I told them to roll up their windows.. then he said something to the effect that we shouldn't be listening to Limp Bizkit at a DMB concert.. and I told him to vary his musical tastes. I mean - I'm not asking everyone to be in love with Limp Bizkit. Personally, I don't like listening to DMB before or after a DMB concert.. same goes with any concert I go to, actually. And whatever, I wasn't a big fan of the Nappy Roots, but I didn't yell at them to stop performing, or yell at other people who were dancing to 'em. I just went out on the lawn and smoked some cigaretters and people-watched.

Also, it wasn't like he was sitting next to my car for 500 gazillion minutes listening to song after song.. the traffic was moving past us at a pretty decent pace. I was trying to pump myself up for the ride home so I wouldn't be all tired and sleepy at the wheel.. It worked, and we arrived home safely by 5am :)

[doug_gill]

Don't worry, I was just yanking your crank. :)


They were pissed cuz they were sitting in traffic, people were cutting in on each other, etc. Only one person told me Limp Bizkit sucked.. so I told them to roll up their windows.. then he said something to the effect that we shouldn't be listening to Limp Bizkit at a DMB concert.. and I told him to vary his musical tastes. I mean - I'm not asking everyone to be in love with Limp Bizkit. Personally, I don't like listening to DMB before or after a DMB concert.. same goes with any concert I go to, actually. And whatever, I wasn't a big fan of the Nappy Roots, but I didn't yell at them to stop performing, or yell at other people who were dancing to 'em. I just went out on the lawn and smoked some cigaretters and people-watched.

Also, it wasn't like he was sitting next to my car for 500 gazillion minutes listening to song after song.. the traffic was moving past us at a pretty decent pace. I was trying to pump myself up for the ride home so I wouldn't be all tired and sleepy at the wheel.. It worked, and we arrived home safely by 5am :)

[onemoredrink41]

spac rules, you suck!

[firedancer715]

Don't worry, I was just yanking your crank. :)

Haha - it's all good :)

[kasquith]

My first time at SPAC this year, I was really impressed by it.

The surrounding area is beautiful - just has a nice feel to it. I agree, the lawn must be terrible. As well, the upper balcony sections have some obstructed views because of support columns. But that's about the worst thing I can say.

Security was fine. I got a camera in no problem, didn't get caught once taking pics. The ushers around me (section 16) spent more time watching the show and dancing! Yeah, I saw some security being kinda tight about people staying in their seats and smoking - but frankly, I appreciate that. I'm a non-smoker and I get sick of dudes coming up to me, saying, "squeeze over so me and my friends can get in here."

In terms of outdoor venues for DMB, I've only been to Star Lake, Molson Amphitheatre, Hershey Stadium and Darien Lake. Though I expect Gorge to be better, SPAC is definitely my favourite right now. Compared to the outdoor venues I've been, SPAC wins in terms of best setting, best views (I'd say the majority of pavilion seats are great), best sound. The crowd seemed a bit mellow, but that's okay. I prefer mellow to drunken idiots. Getting in was easy and getting out wasn't bad. A bit of a traffic, but I've experienced much worse at Darien Lake, Hershey and Star Lake.

I've rambled enough. In conclusion: SPAC lived up to the hype for me.

[Noonzeo]

Posted similarly under the other SPAC Thread...

I met a kid from San Fran who had been to Gorge, Red Rocks, etc. and he and his friend both said that SPAC was the best outdoor venue. Being from UPstate NY I always wanted to believe it but I though the gorge would be better, he said the walk in was long, the lot wasn't as fun...

FWIW

[Holla9]

The exit sucked, and the parking pretty much sucked.. but I wouldn't have had a problem with parking if traffic wasn't backed up near the Tappan Zee Bridge giving us the root of our traffic problems which made us later than I wanted to be (I was aiming for an ETA of 430pm). Exiting the venue was just horrible. But to me.. that's to be expected. No venue I've been in has been that great. I just figure that there's thousands of others that are in the same boat as I am.. no reason to get pissed off about it.


I suggest parking in the lots off of route 50 next year . Ive parked in the park a number of times and then headed towards route 9 , and thats how you get stuck in traffic .The lots off of route 50 aren't nearly as nice as the park as there is lots of grass and pine trees , but its just as fun .

[firedancer715]

I suggest parking in the lots off of route 50 next year . Ive parked in the park a number of times and then headed towards route 9 , and thats how you get stuck in traffic .The lots off of route 50 aren't nearly as nice as the park as there is lots of grass and pine trees , but its just as fun .

Actually, I parked in the lots on route 50. It sucked cuz we went through town.. but everyone kept going straight, and we just kept following route 50 - it was kinda weird because it felt like we were on a normal road. Wasn't quite sure if it was right especially since the traffic wasn't anywhere to be found.. but we got to the lots. The one lot was already full, so we pulled a UTurn and got into the other lots. We parked along the chainlink fence.. and even though we could've hopped in and just went out with the traffic (we turned the car around so we wouldn't have to turn around when exiting) it was just a lot easier to let everyone go. I was surprised with how quickly it emptied out, so that was cool. But we had to go through town again because we needed 87 south.. since I'm not from the area, I didn't know if there were any backroads or anything.. Still a fun time had by all :)

[teemu]

I agree with the comment about the phone camera. Probably the same jerk made my friends and I take the half hour walk back to the car because one of us had one. Luckily, we were there before the opening act started (I had already seen Mr. Betts and wasn't too interesting in catching it again). The camera is nowjere near good enough to take pictures of the stage from the back of the pavillion, which is where we were sitting. And most of the security guards didn't care at all. It was really idiotic. Maybe they should spend a little more time worrying about knives being thrown at band members, and a little less time worrying about camera phones?

I guess that was a little harsh.Which show was that again???? That someone threw a knife on stage??
That's F'ed up s**t

[ktyladie]

Yeah I think SPAC was great.. but yes overrated a bit.. I had pavillion seats.. they were ok.. the security was annoying about ticket stubs every step you took.. the beer garden was WAYYYYYYY too far.. they harassed my friend about his camera... overall BEAUTIFUL place for DMB.. but i wouldnt recommend goin if you want to drink during the show..but i would return ..just not sure who would go with me under those circumstances..

[antgrave]

im excited to go to spac i dont think its overrated

[cmdace18]

i started reading this thread and then was like "shit, its years old!" .. thanks antgrave! sheesh!

[Lude99]

Actually, I parked in the lots on route 50. It sucked cuz we went through town.. but everyone kept going straight, and we just kept following route 50 - it was kinda weird because it felt like we were on a normal road. Wasn't quite sure if it was right especially since the traffic wasn't anywhere to be found.. but we got to the lots. The one lot was already full, so we pulled a UTurn and got into the other lots. We parked along the chainlink fence.. and even though we could've hopped in and just went out with the traffic (we turned the car around so we wouldn't have to turn around when exiting) it was just a lot easier to let everyone go. I was surprised with how quickly it emptied out, so that was cool. But we had to go through town again because we needed 87 south.. since I'm not from the area, I didn't know if there were any backroads or anything.. Still a fun time had by all :)

For future refferences, you don't have to go towards the town to get to 87 south. Its about 5 miles down 50 in the other direction.

[Firedncin8nancy]

SPAC is one of my favorite venues to see dmb, or any other band for that matter... what's way overrated is the fans that make the trip that think its cool to interrupt every song with two step chants. it was cool the first time when they changed everyday to two step, but its really gotten out of hand

[jimi_hendrix]

SPAC is one of my favorite venues to see dmb, or any other band for that matter... what's way overrated is the fans that make the trip that think its cool to interrupt every song with two step chants. it was cool the first time when they changed everyday to two step, but its really gotten out of hand

Ditto that...the first time it was awsome but now it's just annoying. They're obviously not going to play it. And if you're ever having a problem with security... just stick it in your shoe!

[kmd firedancer]

if you want tight security for a dmb show, you should have went to central park, the dudes grabbed your nuts before allowing you entrance to the great lawn, it kinda tickled, but the guy still grabbed your nuts.
Security at CP was nuts!! Everytime you went through a security check point and started to haul ass up to the field out of nowhere another security check popped up. In good old Camden at the Tweeter Center they have more cops trying to keep the people who live there away from the venue so that the concert goers don't get caught up in the ghetto Camden violence.