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This was probably my first ‘official’ concert at the EC. I did see Joan Jett at the opening event and did see the free United Way ‘Heart’ concert (which was amazing). But this was the first PAID event.
I will say the EC is set up nicely for concerts. I would compare it to the Quest in Omaha. The sound and the light show were amazing and the Foo Fighters put on a great show.
I will admit though out of personal preference as to why I don’t go to large arena concerts much (and this isn’t a dig on our EC, just large show in general).
• They are expensive (for the $120 I paid I could have gone to 6-8 club shows (and saw national acts just as good as the Foo Fighters).
• Besides the expensive ticket, $9 for a draft Bud Light or a single shot cocktail is over the top, so were the lines. The bars were extremely under staffed and you could see it in the staff’s faces.
• The bathrooms are way to small (not enough urinals). And if you think the men’s line was long, you should have seen the ladies.
• Finding parking was easy, leaving the event, not much fun.
• Supporting local promoters, venues and even artists helps to recirculate money in our economy. Giving $120 to the Foo Fighters, not so much.
It will probably be a long time before I go to a concert again at the EC. It will have to be someone really legendary. I am a bit bias though. I grew up going to club shows, they are what I know. But I also like the fact I can park a 100 feet away, not stand in line for a drink or bathroom and not get raped on drink prices. I also can stand in front of the stage. Nothing beats the intimacy of a club show either. There’s nothing like standing 8 feet away from one of your favorite artists.
To each there own though I guess. I encourage people to keep going to the EC, we already drain $10 million a year out of our CIP for the place each year on mortgage payments. If people stop going, we will really be in a bind.