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Behind the stage seats

PorchaholicPorchaholic Posts: 159
in The Porch
Never sat behind the stage for a concert...any reviews from people who have had the experience?
1998 – Barrie, Molson Park
2000 – Toronto, ACC
2003 – Toronto, Molson Amphitheatre
2005 – London, JLC
            Toronto, ACC
2006 – Toronto 1 & 2, ACC
2008 -  Toronto Massey Hall 1 & 2
2009 -  Toronto, Molson Amphitheatre
2011 -  Detroit, Fox Theatre
2011 -  Toronto 1 ACC
            Hamilton, Copps Coliseum
2013 -  London, JLC
            Buffalo, FNC
2014 -  Detroit, Joe Louis Arena
2016 -  Toronto 1 & 2, ACC
2018 -  Boston 1 & 2, Fenway Park

Comments

  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Was behind the stage for both MSG shows. The view is not as bad as you would think. It's a different perspective. I really enjoyed it the first night because I was row 1 and it was super cool. The sound is hit or miss depending on the venue. Don't go in with expectations like you are in GA and you will enjoy it. It is an audible experience after-all. ;)
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • PorchaholicPorchaholic Posts: 159
    Thanks Frankie...were you upper or lower bowl?
    1998 – Barrie, Molson Park
    2000 – Toronto, ACC
    2003 – Toronto, Molson Amphitheatre
    2005 – London, JLC
                Toronto, ACC
    2006 – Toronto 1 & 2, ACC
    2008 -  Toronto Massey Hall 1 & 2
    2009 -  Toronto, Molson Amphitheatre
    2011 -  Detroit, Fox Theatre
    2011 -  Toronto 1 ACC
                Hamilton, Copps Coliseum
    2013 -  London, JLC
                Buffalo, FNC
    2014 -  Detroit, Joe Louis Arena
    2016 -  Toronto 1 & 2, ACC
    2018 -  Boston 1 & 2, Fenway Park
  • FrankieGFrankieG Posts: 9,100
    Porchaholic said:

    Thanks Frankie...were you upper or lower bowl?

    First night I was in the balcony above the upper bowl. :lol:
    2nd night I was in the upper bowl.
    Just need to have the "in the building" mindset
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • PorchaholicPorchaholic Posts: 159
    Very true..thanks for the reply!
    1998 – Barrie, Molson Park
    2000 – Toronto, ACC
    2003 – Toronto, Molson Amphitheatre
    2005 – London, JLC
                Toronto, ACC
    2006 – Toronto 1 & 2, ACC
    2008 -  Toronto Massey Hall 1 & 2
    2009 -  Toronto, Molson Amphitheatre
    2011 -  Detroit, Fox Theatre
    2011 -  Toronto 1 ACC
                Hamilton, Copps Coliseum
    2013 -  London, JLC
                Buffalo, FNC
    2014 -  Detroit, Joe Louis Arena
    2016 -  Toronto 1 & 2, ACC
    2018 -  Boston 1 & 2, Fenway Park
  • Pearl34JamPearl34Jam Posts: 1,102
    I was behind the stage for Philly 1.

    And I agree with what Frankie said. It is a cool perspective because you can kind of see what the band sees in front of them. And yes, it's an audible experience. Enjoy the sound
    "Must I keep explaining my decisions to you strangers of the Internet?" - Merch tent 8/19/16

    '13: 10/27 Baltimore
    '15: 9/26 New York City
    '16: 4/16 Greenville (VS!), 4/26 Lexington, 4/28 Philly, 8/20 Wrigley
    '18: 9/02 Fenway
    '22: 9/16 Nashville
    ’24: 8/26 Noblesville, 9/12 Baltimore
  • SD48277SD48277 Posts: 12,243
    I agree with Frankie. I was just down the row from him at MSG 1, and had a blast (it helps if you have a great ticket buddy). It's a different perspective, but still a great show.
    ELITIST FUK
  • carthurcarthur Posts: 27
    I sat behind for philly 1. We were in the lower area which was great. The view is different but my son is a huge Matt Cameron fan so it was awesome for him. We were low enough that my son was able to interact with Ed and Matt during the concert. I was worried about the seats but they ended up being some of the most fun seats I have ever had.
    Baltimore 2013
    Philly N1 2016
    Boston N1 & N2 2016
    Seattle N1 & N2 2018
    St Paul N2 2023
    Fort Worth N2 2023
    Missoula 2024
    Philly N2 2024

    Temple of the Dog
    New York 2016
  • RozbrRozbr Posts: 376
    I was behind the stage in Ft Lauderdale and it was awesome !
  • NSLNSL Posts: 293
    I was really skeptical about the MSG 1 ticket I had in section 217 (second level behind stage). Got to my seat and it was just fine. It was nearly center of the stage and with the line arrays behind the stage the sound was actually fantastic. The view was not bad either, could see all the way to the front of the stage and part of the way into the pit. Only a few songs had obstructed views when the lighting truss would lower but that doesn't really bug me.

    Of course, it'll be different for each venue so keep that in mind.
    2004-10-06 - Asheville, NC
    2013-10-30 - Charlotte, NC
    2016-04-16 - Greenville, SC
    2016-04-20 - Raleigh, NC
    2016-04-21 - Columbia, SC
    2016-05-01 - New York, NY
    2022-09-16 - Nashville, TN
    2022-09-17 - Louisville, KY
    2023-09-10 - Noblesville, IN
    2023-09-13 - Fort Worth, TX
    2023-09-15 - Fort Worth, TX
    2024-08-26 - Noblesville, IN
  • ScratchedArmsScratchedArms Posts: 109
    I sat side corner Mikes side, and brother sat directly behind boom for Philly 2. We both said it was some of the best seats we've ever had. We both had interaction with the band. Sound was good and sight lines were not bad at all. Would have no hesitation about behind stage lower bowl tix in the future.
  • TJ25487TJ25487 Posts: 1,476
    First time sitting side stage Mikes side 14 rows up during MSG 2 and I am a new fan. I got to my seats and looked up and saw 2 huge towers of speakers pointing in my direction but spaced out so the sound was exceptional. I noticed the same speakers set up for the other side and the back so it is a surround sound situation so everyone should be dialed in as far as the sound.

    The visual perspective is also great as you can see some of the behind the scenes stuff as well as the interaction between band members. I also enjoyed seeing the crowd reactions in front.

    I would now pick side or behind stage before picking floor or stadium seating farther back.
  • Lemon Yellow SunLemon Yellow Sun Posts: 1,126
    I lost the lottery for both MSG shows but was able to get tickets for both thru Ticketmaster. I will admit that when I pulled tickets for behind the stage for night two I almost threw them back – who wants to look at the back of their heads all night. I’m so glad I didn’t. My seats were about ten rows back dead center. It was great seeing the show from the band’s point of view. I will NEVER hesitate buying seats behind the stage again.
  • dtr0624dtr0624 Posts: 611
    behind the stage for philly 2. was still epic. ive been front of the stage but all the way in the back and id say its about the same. little closer behind the stage. they leave the top almost completely open. i didnt struggle to see anything all night
    2012 - MIA (Philly)
    2013 - Philly 1, philly 2, charlottesville,
    2015 - NYC (global citizen)
    2016 - Philly 1&2
    2022 - Camden
  • YoullseeDragonsYoullseeDragons Posts: 2,144
    I was behind the stage gor Philly 1 on Mikes side, 6 rows off the stage. Fantastic time, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,535
    edited May 2016
    I'm always the dissenting opinion. I was behind the stage at Seattle 2013. I was pretty high up on the 2nd level in the section to the right of centre behind the stage. The lighting rig completely blocked the view of front part of the stage, and you couldn't really see Matt either. All you could see was Eddie when he went to the very from part of centre stage. It even worse for every song they lowered the metal bird. Probably the worse seats I've had at a PJ show. I was in the building but I couldn't see shit. If I were to do it again I would want to sit lower. Lower bowl or maybe the first 10 rows of the upperbowl. Somewhere where you're below the lighting rig. Once your above it you can't see much.

    I also blame ticketmaster. They've got a bad habit of not easily identifying obstructed view tickets. I've had a few shows now where it doesn't mention obstructed when you buy them or on your invoice, but they show up in the mail with it printed on the ticket. At that point there's nothing you can do.

    Here's what it looked like from my vantage point:

    image

    Conclusion. Behind the stage is fine if you're lower down. Don't buy them if your higher up.
    Post edited by Zod on
  • EM194007EM194007 Posts: 2,827
    Never have been behind the stage for a Pearl Jam show. But I was 16 rows up lower bowl dead center for Billy Joel New Years Eve this year. Those were excellent seats, would rather sit there, then way in the back of the arena.
  • eddieceddiec Posts: 3,859
    Zod and I always post these two pictures when this topic comes up. His behind the stage sucked while mine were great. Lower bowl is usually great while the uppers can depend on the venue. This was directly behind the stage in Hartford.
    Hartford. Pic says it all. photo 1003857_10152039762884954_1306055552_n.jpg
  • tino_11tino_11 Posts: 2,100
    edited May 2016
    Great pic...and hardly a mobile phone in sight!
    'F*** the pessimists. F*** 'em.' Eddie Vedder
  • otter523otter523 Posts: 250
    Was behind the stage lower level for Philly 2 and loved it. Other than Matt you still feel like you see a lot of the bans. Also cool to see how much of a "show" it really is. Lots of hand signals from Ed and the guitar techs for Mike run like hamsters on a wheel. Two techs on the stage with miss behind Matt and Stone who work super hard all show.
    09/13/98 - 08/27/00 - 08/29/00 - 08/30/00 - 04/29/03 - 07/03/03 - 07/11/03 - 09/28/04 - 09/15/05 - 05/12/06 -10/15/13 - 10/25/13 - 04/29/16 - 05/01/16 - 05/02/16 - 05/08/16 - 08/05/16 - 08/07/16 - RRHOF-04/07/17 - 09/02/18 - 09/04/18 - 09/03/22 - 09/11/22

    E.V-06/08/09 - 06/09/09
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,785
    dtr0624 said:

    behind the stage for philly 2. was still epic. ive been front of the stage but all the way in the back and id say its about the same. little closer behind the stage. they leave the top almost completely open. i didnt struggle to see anything all night

    I was too for Philly-2. It was one of my best PJ concert experience i've had. My only concern was if the sound would be good , and it was. So, don't hesitate to sit behind the stage.
  • cmaliszecmalisze Posts: 2,634
    But would you rather sit in front?
  • dkast85dkast85 Posts: 99
    Depending on where you are, the sound is often best behind the stage.
    @DaveKast
    "Memory is the only paradise from which we cannot be driven." - Jean P. Richter
    Phoenix 2013, LA 1 2013, Ft. Lauderdale 2016, Miami 2016, Philly 1 2016, MSG 1 2016, MSG 2 2016, Fenway 2 2016.
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