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Has anyone ever attended a concert at Fenway? Not optimistic about non-field seats.

NashvillePJfanNashvillePJfan Posts: 594
edited February 2016 in The Porch
It seems to me that most seats, even Ten Club seats, will be very very bad.

From looking at previous Fenway seating charts, for Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters and Tom Petty, it appears that unless you are in the middle of the field in the first 20 rows or so, your seats are, to put it mildly, horrible.

How horrible?

Well put it this way, it looks like even if you have the "best" lower level non-field tickets at Fenway, they will be far worse than arena seats that are last row of upper deck, farthest section away from the stage. I mean, I wouldn't even call these stadium seats "nosebleeds", whether or not they are high up, they are pretty much miles from the stage with band members looking like ants and the sound indiscernible at best.

It seems that the baseball diamond configuration was meant for baseball only, not concerts with an end stage.

The situation would be slightly better if Pearl Jam did a center stage show. One can hope that they will go center stage for Fenway?

One wonders why the band did not play Solider Field instead of Wrigley Field, or Gillette Stadium instead of Fenway. These football venues, with the narrower field, offer many more good seats than the baseball configuration.

My guess is at Fenway, any lotto winner with a member number 150,XXX or higher is going to be terribly disappointed with their "best in the house" seats.

Of course, all this is speculation based on my review of seating charts. Anyone actually sat in the stands at Fenway for a rock concert?
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Post edited by NashvillePJfan on
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    I've always thought Fenway was quite intimate for baseball, I think it will be amazing just to see them play at this amazing stadium , I just hope the sound is good....
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    It seems that most people are so pumped about the novelty of the Fenway venue, that they are perfectly fine with seats that are extremely far away with obstructed or suboptimal view. That said, it seems most people who went to Wrigley in 2013 report that they had a great time, even though their seats were "Light Years" from the stage. :)
    I gather speed . . . Great Western Forum - Jul 13, 1998; Great Western Forum - Jul 14, 1998; Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Irvine - Jun 02, 2003; Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Irvine - Jun 03, 2003; Tweeter Center - Jul 11, 2003; Santa Barbara County Bowl - Oct 28, 2003; Gorge Amphitheatre - Sep 01, 2005; Pepsi Arena - May 12, 2006 Summerfest - Jun 29, 2006; The Forum - Jul 09, 2006; Aloha Stadium - Dec 09, 2006; Bonnaroo - Jun 14, 2008; Tweeter Center - Jun 28, 2008; Tweeter Center - Jun 30, 2008; United Center - Aug 23, 2009
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    PorchgirlCOPorchgirlCO Colorado Posts: 1,375
    I saw Phish at fenway in 2009, I think, and had a blast! We were in the upper level and pretty far away from the stage but the people around us were a lot of fun and it was a great night. The experience of being at the ballpark was very cool...very excited to get back there to see our band!!
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me...

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    ZodZod Posts: 10,178
    I've never seen concert at a baseball field, but I have at a football stadium. It's the downside of the stadium shows. The venue's are huge, so many of the seats are much further back than an arena show.
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    iamloco724iamloco724 Brooklyn NY Posts: 1,441
    I think this would be the same for Wrigley too and any baseball stadium no? I've seen Metallica and Paul McCartney at Yankee Stadium we were for but still overall a good view
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    "Well put it this way, it looks like even if you have the "best" lower level non-field tickets at Fenway, they will be far worse than arena seats that are last row of upper deck, farthest section away from the stage. I mean, I wouldn't even call these stadium seats "nosebleeds", whether or not they are high up, they are pretty much miles from the stage with band members looking like ants and the sound indiscernible at best."

    You've already come to the conclusion that this is going to suck, and you've never been to a show there....... It's going to be a loooooong 6 months for you.

    I'm just happy to have scored a ticket & I don't care where my seat is. My lousy view at Wrigley didn't take away from my enjoyment..... An almost 3 hour rain delay didn't take away from my enjoyment....... If you go into something with a good attitude, good results should follow..... If you go into something thinking it will suck ass, that will probably happen too.

    OR, I know plenty of people trying to score tickets for Fenway, if you think it's going to suck that much, why don't you save yourself the $188. : )

    Ps, I saw the Foo there in August. Seats were only ok, sound was way better than I expected, and we had a a frigging blast.
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    JB128716JB128716 Posts: 2,064
    Saw Foos at Fenway for two nights. Night 1 I was in the outfield (which are good seats as you are closer to the stage. Night two I was on the filed about 20 rows back or so.

    I had a blast both nights and wouldn't trade it for the world. I think it's better than a football stadium but not as good as an arena. Plus they have good sausage outside of Fenway.
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    CantKeepmedownCantKeepmedown Portland, Maine Posts: 2,922
    Fenway, more than any other venue, is all about being in the building. I've talked/thought about them playing there ever since I can remember. Of course, seats up close would be nice. But I won't think twice about where I'm sitting. Just being there is going to be tremendous.

    If there had been a GA lawn situation (like in Mansfield) I would have thought hard about passing up 10C seats just so I could have stood with friends for the whole show. At minimum there will be about 20 of us going to these shows. Going to be great.
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    mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 27,890
    I have a pretty good 10c number (139682) so I would imagine I will be somewhere on the actual field. Let me repeat that, I 'm going to be on the freaking field at Fenway to see my favorite band play. ON the FIELD of one of the greatest stadiums in the world. I'm a huge Yankees fan but I understand how historic this ballpark is. Think about all the amazing games that have been played there and I'm going to literally be on the freaking field.
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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    mcgruff10 said:

    I have a pretty good 10c number (139682) so I would imagine I will be somewhere on the actual field. Let me repeat that, I 'm going to be on the freaking field at Fenway to see my favorite band play. ON the FIELD of one of the greatest stadiums in the world. I'm a huge Yankees fan but I understand how historic this ballpark is. Think about all the amazing games that have been played there and I'm going to literally be on the freaking field.

    It's going to be a great time for everyone, even Yankee fans!
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    Saw the Foos at Fenway last summer. We sat up against the Green Monster. I couldn't see the entire stage, but I could hear everything just fine. Like it was mentioned earlier, sometimes it's just about being in the venue when a show like this is scheduled. I've been on the railing in Leeds and in the last row in Philly and loads of places in between, just being there with the band is what matters.
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    JTHJTH Chicago Posts: 3,238


    One wonders why the band did not play Solider Field instead of Wrigley Field, or Gillette Stadium instead of Fenway. These football venues, with the narrower field, offer many more good seats than the baseball configuration.

    Because neither Soldier Field nor the place in Foxborough have the drawing power of Wrigley & Fenway. Casual fans would not be nearly as interested and you'd likely end up with vast expanses of empty seats.

    But I agree, from a viewing perspective, you're much better off with a football field
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    SVRDhand13SVRDhand13 NYC Posts: 25,873
    I'll be sitting at the back of the 10C section and I'm fine with that. I just wanted inside the building.
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    dankinddankind I am not your foot. Posts: 20,827
    Saw Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Fenway in 2003 (first ever rock concert at Fenway). I can't even remember where our seats were. All I remember is that it was fucking awesome!
    I SAW PEARL JAM
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    JimmyVJimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 18,922
    edited February 2016
    I have a 435*** 10c number and won lower bowl seats for Wrigley. Section 104 or 105, in left field for a game but on Mike's side for the show. We weren't close by concert standards but we were by Wrigley standards. I never worried once about it. The experience of being there that night trumped all. I fully expect Fenway to be the same way.
    ___________________________________________

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    The "just being in the building is OK" attitude is difficult for me to understand . . . shows for me are hard to enjoy if the seats are not close to the action . . . but I admire peoples' ability to be happy with anything, that's cool for them.
    I gather speed . . . Great Western Forum - Jul 13, 1998; Great Western Forum - Jul 14, 1998; Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Irvine - Jun 02, 2003; Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Irvine - Jun 03, 2003; Tweeter Center - Jul 11, 2003; Santa Barbara County Bowl - Oct 28, 2003; Gorge Amphitheatre - Sep 01, 2005; Pepsi Arena - May 12, 2006 Summerfest - Jun 29, 2006; The Forum - Jul 09, 2006; Aloha Stadium - Dec 09, 2006; Bonnaroo - Jun 14, 2008; Tweeter Center - Jun 28, 2008; Tweeter Center - Jun 30, 2008; United Center - Aug 23, 2009
    United Center - Aug 24, 2009; Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Indiana -May 07, 2010; Madison Square Garden - May 20, 2010; Madison Square Garden - May 21, 2010
    EV Solo 2008: LA1, Boston 1, DC1
    EV Colo 2009: Nashville 1&2
    Dead Man Walking: The Concert: March 29, 1998
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    Leezestarr313Leezestarr313 Temple of the cat Posts: 14,346
    If you need to stay close to the action, then maybe ballpark shows are not for you. I attended Wrigley last time knowing that my seats are probably far away. But this is more about the whole event itself, meeting people, being at the ballpark, seeing the sky, enjoying the day. And then, yes, your favourite band is playing. That is a lot to make me happy. I am sure everyone who goes will have a great time. People did despite the rain delay and all the troubles the last time. It's a wonderful way to close off the summer.
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    The "just being in the building is OK" attitude is difficult for me to understand . . . shows for me are hard to enjoy if the seats are not close to the action . . . but I admire peoples' ability to be happy with anything, that's cool for them.

    Then why did you sign up for a stadium show and take tickets from someone who wants to be there?

    Less than 24 hours after winning the lottery, you're complaining that your seats are going to suck, (despite having NEVER been to a Fenway show)

    People are pulling their hair out over getting completely shut out for these shows..... Many who scored tickets are just happy to be there, and you find this attitude "difficult to understand"?

    I don't see this thread lasting too long before Kat shuts it down.
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    abducted from the st.abducted from the st. Southern Maine Posts: 20
    Saw the Police at Fenway in 2007- seats were on 3rd base side almost back row of lower level. Had a blast. To me it sounded fine.
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    the_donthe_don Posts: 512
    Since there's no GA, I believe reserved for fenway should get you quite a bit closer than reserved for wrigley would..
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    1STmammal2wearPants1STmammal2wearPants Worcester, MA Posts: 2,837
    Your seats aren't going to be in the rafters. Fenway is an intimate ballpark, and even being in the lower bowl like I was for McCartney there was great, and they'll usually set up video boards as well. As everyone said, it's an experience being there, too. You can always give your tickets to someone who wants to go to Fenway for the show ;)
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    ckravitzckravitz NJ Posts: 1,668

    The "just being in the building is OK" attitude is difficult for me to understand . . . shows for me are hard to enjoy if the seats are not close to the action . . . but I admire peoples' ability to be happy with anything, that's cool for them.

    Haha then don't go? What were you expecting from this thread the day after many here were just extraordinarily happy to have won tickets? Interesting timing.
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    fluff4ufluff4u Posts: 193
    Saw Phish at Fenway. I will never go back for a concert.
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    EBowieEBowie Posts: 529
    I saw The Rolling Stones in 2005 and Tom Petty in 2014 at Fenway and I had a blast at both shows. The sound was not an issue in my opinion and I was not very close to the stage for either show. I agree that baseball stadiums are not ideal for concerts but I had no problems with Fenway.
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    OnWis97OnWis97 St. Paul, MN Posts: 4,824
    I've never seen a show at Fenway. I was at Wrigley 2013. My TenClub seats were on about 3rd base (I won those seats in the lotto; did not get a triple). The stage was centerfield. Not too far away, but the lack of rise meant I did not really see a thing. Fenway and Wrigley are two of my favorite place in the world but they are not ideal concert venues. I much prefer the amphitheaters where every seat is designed to view the stage.

    On the other hand, these are special shows and the atmosphere lets you know it. The sound (at Wrigley anyway) was great (I prefer outdoor by a long shot) so enjoy it. Accept now that you may not have the best view you've ever had...it still should be fun.
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    OnWis97OnWis97 St. Paul, MN Posts: 4,824
    the_don said:

    Since there's no GA, I believe reserved for fenway should get you quite a bit closer than reserved for wrigley would..

    There's that...

    As a midwesterner, I went for Wrigley, but had I scored two reserved for Fenway (a difficult task), bet I'd have been in the outfield...at Wrigley, I'll probably be in the infield.
    1995 Milwaukee     1998 Alpine, Alpine     2003 Albany, Boston, Boston, Boston     2004 Boston, Boston     2006 Hartford, St. Paul (Petty), St. Paul (Petty)     2011 Alpine, Alpine     
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    mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 27,890
    can someone post a seating chart for fenway concerts?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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    JimmyVJimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 18,922
    mcgruff10 said:

    can someone post a seating chart for fenway concerts?

    James Taylor on 8/3 looks like this. PJ will look very similar if not exactly like this.

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    mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 27,890
    thanks bud! will the infield be roped off or do you think I could take a jog around the bases?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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    SVRDhand13SVRDhand13 NYC Posts: 25,873
    JimmyV said:

    I have a 435*** 10c number and won lower bowl seats for Wrigley. Section 104 or 105, in left field for a game but on Mike's side for the show. We weren't close by concert standards but we were by Wrigley standards. I never worried once about it. The experience of being there that night trumped all. I fully expect Fenway to be the same way.

    That's really good to hear!
    severed hand thirteen

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