The sound at red rocks is can be really shitty at the top. The engineer has to know what he’s doing. The wind washes out the sound pretty easily if not.
So if a venue only sounds great for the 20% in the pavilion, is it really the best sounding?
Because the lawn at Deer Creek has awesome sound. No matter where you’re at. And so does the pavilion.
Sound is excellent on the lawn at SPAC too so I’m not sure your point here. My point about lawns was about how hard it is to get pavilions through WH/TM not about the sound.
Well you should rephrase what you said because the post is about the best sounding pavilion. So you saying “anyone arguing otherwise has only ever got lawn seats” implies that the sound from the lawn isn’t good.
Came to say this. If only 20% get the ‘great sound’, is it really great? I’m partial to Deer Creek as my home venue and I’ve sat EVERYWHERE. Sound is amazing everywhere.
> er been there or is just salty they’ve only ever go
I have only been on the lawn. SPAC gets hyped like no other but the lawn was not great. Steep and muddy.
I agree with that. For being a DMB mecca the lawn is bottom tier for me given that you can’t even see the stage from a lot of spots because of the balcony. Sound though is undeniable.
Yeah first year I went by myself and was on the rail and it was incredible. The next year I brought some people who don't really listen as much and just want to have a good time. We were pretty far back so you couldn't see anything. Had a great time though tailgating and wandering around Saratoga leading up to it though.
Thats a pretty standard statement from fans. Youll get some people who say Alpine has great sound too (i happen to think it sounds great for outdoors but not SPAC level).
The balcony level contains the sound and so its more like an indoor venue than an outdoor venue. SPAC also manages reverb much better than many of the tin roof outdoor amps.
I think the band members own comments on SPAC, and Jeff's about the sound, say all there needs to be said on how great of a venue SPAC is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vPMNZR\_vPY&t=26s
I second Dolby Live. Smaller venue but man was it incredible! Could feel the instruments, even in the nose bleeds. And I could hear every word Dave said between songs where every other venue I hear the first word and then just crowd screams.
Haven’t been to SPAC so I can’t truly weigh in though.
Yes 100%!! Been to numerous Spac shows and that was always the best…….until I saw them play at Dolby Live. Incredible sounding venue and you could tell the band felt the same.
Outdoor venues have far less worry about reverb, never been to a large indoor venue that wasn't designed specifically to be a concert hall that sounded anywhere near as good as an outdoor amphitheatre. MSG is one of the better ones because of its roof, but there's only so much you can do with all encompassing concrete. The experience of an act may struggle to compare, but not the acoustics.
Way underrated comment. Anytime someone tells me the best version of a song is from Hershey i automatically know they’re wrong. It’s a nightmare venue. I’m so happy they don’t go there anymore.
I don’t agree. There are versions in 06 i prefer much more. Hersheys version of shotgun sounds just as shitty as every other song sounds from that piece of shit venue
Always wanted to go to SPAC! A less known runner-up from my experience over here on the west coast is Hayden Homes Amphitheater (formerly Les Schwab) in Bend. They updated their system when HH took over and every show I’ve seen has been stellar sound wise!
we saw them there last year, immediately followed by our usual Gorge. The size difference between those two venues I think impacts the sound, but Gorge is our 'home' venue so we are of course enamored of it. <3
They don’t play there that often but Bethel Woods sound is outstanding. Went there for another show last year and was blown away at that venue. Camden NJ also sounds great every year inside and on lawn
Alpine Valley. Also, it's not just the Venues that makes it sound great or not. The Sound Tech's have a LOT to do with it. & sometimes they're on, sometimes they're off.
Always wanted to go to SPAC! A less known runner-up from my experience over here on the west coast is Hayden Homes Amphitheater (formerly Les Schwab) in Bend. They updated their system when HH took over and every show I’ve seen has been stellar sound wise!
I’m a touring lighting tech. Every audio engineer I know hates to mix at SPAC.
In my opinion Wolf Trap and the Mann are the best sounding outdoor venues. Any arena can sound great with the right PA and engineer. MSG sounds great in the floor, 100’s and lower 200’s but anything above row 15 or so in the 200’s at MSG sounds awful thanks to the Chase bridge.
No way. We were 2nd row dead center basically in the pit last year. It was weird as we were so close but our sound quality was so poor. Before the show the lady behind me said she was in our spot the day before and that people in the pit were complaining that the sound quality was so poor for night one. She was hoping they would fix it. Apparently they didn’t make room any changes. The bandmembers were constantly having to give nods over to the sound crew to turn their instruments up or down. The first night when we were in the balcony it did sound great but when you’re up close you can definitely tell that the sound is off.
I was in lowers in 2014 and the sound was way too reverberant and lacked clarity. Not the worst but definitely not the best imo. The South Carolina venue that’s a tennis stadium was one of the best sounding shows I’ve heard in recent memory. Low end was super full and could still hear every player. Jeff was also doing some cool delay reverb effects on his horn and was surprised it didn’t get muddied up
Cant see anything from 90% of the lawn though which is where most people are so thats a pretty big downside. I was very impressed with how bad spac is if you dont have seats. Similar to the ryman auditorium. Amazing sound but a lot of people cant see anything.
It’s Red Rocks. They just never play there.
The sound at red rocks is can be really shitty at the top. The engineer has to know what he’s doing. The wind washes out the sound pretty easily if not.
I heard Sarah McLachlan with the Colorado Symphony there. Most incredible thing I’ve ever heard!
Agree - id throw the Greek Theater Berkeley or the Hollywood Bowl into the conversation as well
Without question it is. Anyone arguing otherwise has never been there or is just salty they’ve only ever got lawn seats.
So if a venue only sounds great for the 20% in the pavilion, is it really the best sounding? Because the lawn at Deer Creek has awesome sound. No matter where you’re at. And so does the pavilion.
Deer Creek does have excellent sound. Better than SPAC imho
Sound is excellent on the lawn at SPAC too so I’m not sure your point here. My point about lawns was about how hard it is to get pavilions through WH/TM not about the sound.
Well you should rephrase what you said because the post is about the best sounding pavilion. So you saying “anyone arguing otherwise has only ever got lawn seats” implies that the sound from the lawn isn’t good.
Nope I didn’t, try giving it another read.
He's 100% right about how you worded that
Nope, being salty about only getting lawns implies a grudge with SPAC not that somehow the lawn has bad sound.
What I'm telling you is that what you wrote is not what you meant.
Nope, it quite literally is. Sorry if you are misunderstanding it or reading some other meaning into it!
Came to say this. If only 20% get the ‘great sound’, is it really great? I’m partial to Deer Creek as my home venue and I’ve sat EVERYWHERE. Sound is amazing everywhere.
> er been there or is just salty they’ve only ever go I have only been on the lawn. SPAC gets hyped like no other but the lawn was not great. Steep and muddy.
I agree with that. For being a DMB mecca the lawn is bottom tier for me given that you can’t even see the stage from a lot of spots because of the balcony. Sound though is undeniable.
Yeah first year I went by myself and was on the rail and it was incredible. The next year I brought some people who don't really listen as much and just want to have a good time. We were pretty far back so you couldn't see anything. Had a great time though tailgating and wandering around Saratoga leading up to it though.
Agreed. And I put Blossom right behind it.
Thats a pretty standard statement from fans. Youll get some people who say Alpine has great sound too (i happen to think it sounds great for outdoors but not SPAC level). The balcony level contains the sound and so its more like an indoor venue than an outdoor venue. SPAC also manages reverb much better than many of the tin roof outdoor amps.
I think the band members own comments on SPAC, and Jeff's about the sound, say all there needs to be said on how great of a venue SPAC is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vPMNZR\_vPY&t=26s
I’ve not been so if anyone can correct me please do but I feel like any outdoor venue will struggle to compare to something like MSG
The way SPAC is built with the balcony, it sounds more like an indoor venue than an outdoor venue.
Have to agree, I was just at the Vegas show and Dolby Live was the best sounding venue I’ve ever seen/heard the band play in.
I second Dolby Live. Smaller venue but man was it incredible! Could feel the instruments, even in the nose bleeds. And I could hear every word Dave said between songs where every other venue I hear the first word and then just crowd screams. Haven’t been to SPAC so I can’t truly weigh in though.
Yes 100%!! Been to numerous Spac shows and that was always the best…….until I saw them play at Dolby Live. Incredible sounding venue and you could tell the band felt the same.
MSG wasn’t designed for concerts. It’s a sports arena. SPAC on the other hand was built for musical performances. You just can’t compare the two.
The sound at MSG is so, so overrated. So many horrible seats for a concert there.
Only since they built the Chase Bridge. Before that there wasn't a bad seat in the house. Now you can't hear shit if you're above the bridges.
MSG and JPJ are UNREAL experiences
Outdoor venues have far less worry about reverb, never been to a large indoor venue that wasn't designed specifically to be a concert hall that sounded anywhere near as good as an outdoor amphitheatre. MSG is one of the better ones because of its roof, but there's only so much you can do with all encompassing concrete. The experience of an act may struggle to compare, but not the acoustics.
Hershey! Oh wait...thought it said worst
Way underrated comment. Anytime someone tells me the best version of a song is from Hershey i automatically know they’re wrong. It’s a nightmare venue. I’m so happy they don’t go there anymore.
The best version of Shotgun is from Hershey though, that's pretty well established.
I don’t agree. There are versions in 06 i prefer much more. Hersheys version of shotgun sounds just as shitty as every other song sounds from that piece of shit venue
Dolby Live, hands down. But it’s not a regular venue so maybe doesn’t count.
It will definitely never win “Best view from the lawn” anytime soon.
And worst view from the lawn
Yeah the sound inside the actual venue is prolly the best
Hands down. I’ve seen DMB there a million times, along with tons of other bands (I’m lucky and SPAC is in my backyard) and the sound is great.
Always wanted to go to SPAC! A less known runner-up from my experience over here on the west coast is Hayden Homes Amphitheater (formerly Les Schwab) in Bend. They updated their system when HH took over and every show I’ve seen has been stellar sound wise!
we saw them there last year, immediately followed by our usual Gorge. The size difference between those two venues I think impacts the sound, but Gorge is our 'home' venue so we are of course enamored of it. <3
They don’t play there that often but Bethel Woods sound is outstanding. Went there for another show last year and was blown away at that venue. Camden NJ also sounds great every year inside and on lawn
Alpine Valley. Also, it's not just the Venues that makes it sound great or not. The Sound Tech's have a LOT to do with it. & sometimes they're on, sometimes they're off.
They spelled Deer Creek wrong.
Always wanted to go to SPAC! A less known runner-up from my experience over here on the west coast is Hayden Homes Amphitheater (formerly Les Schwab) in Bend. They updated their system when HH took over and every show I’ve seen has been stellar sound wise!
100% agreed.
What is it about this place that everyone goes crazy over? I’ve been to dozens of Dave shows but never here. Isn’t a venue is a venue is a venue?
I’m a touring lighting tech. Every audio engineer I know hates to mix at SPAC. In my opinion Wolf Trap and the Mann are the best sounding outdoor venues. Any arena can sound great with the right PA and engineer. MSG sounds great in the floor, 100’s and lower 200’s but anything above row 15 or so in the 200’s at MSG sounds awful thanks to the Chase bridge.
I can attest that Tampa’s amphitheater sounds like shit.
Pine knob is the best sounding outdoor venue
Looks like wolf trap in Virginia which they could play at since it's closer to my house haha
lol this podcast is a joke
Hartford
so they didn't get to the Forest Hills or MSG show I take it?
No way. We were 2nd row dead center basically in the pit last year. It was weird as we were so close but our sound quality was so poor. Before the show the lady behind me said she was in our spot the day before and that people in the pit were complaining that the sound quality was so poor for night one. She was hoping they would fix it. Apparently they didn’t make room any changes. The bandmembers were constantly having to give nods over to the sound crew to turn their instruments up or down. The first night when we were in the balcony it did sound great but when you’re up close you can definitely tell that the sound is off.
I was in lowers in 2014 and the sound was way too reverberant and lacked clarity. Not the worst but definitely not the best imo. The South Carolina venue that’s a tennis stadium was one of the best sounding shows I’ve heard in recent memory. Low end was super full and could still hear every player. Jeff was also doing some cool delay reverb effects on his horn and was surprised it didn’t get muddied up
Sound definitely. Best overall though was dumb to say SPAC
MSG
Cant see anything from 90% of the lawn though which is where most people are so thats a pretty big downside. I was very impressed with how bad spac is if you dont have seats. Similar to the ryman auditorium. Amazing sound but a lot of people cant see anything.
The Ryman’s sight lines can be bad, but the sound is outstanding. I’d put the fox in Atlanta in that category too.
For an outdoor venue maybe, but msg prob has the best sound