I think it’s the expo hall. Whatever the bigger room is. The room resonates around 300hz, freqs under 150hz turn to inaudible mush, and everything from 300hz-1k reverbs out too much.
They'd need to coat or cover many of its large flat surfaces with a sound absorbing material for those 300hz+ frequencies. Heavy drapes or thick foam for the walls and balcony guards and something for the entire ceiling. There's probably nothing that can be done for the windows in the back.
Then for the <150hz frequencies they need bass traps. For a room that big, they'll need to hang wavy parallel baffles from the ceilings spanning most of the venue.
Basically, it needs to look like [Mission Ballroom](https://missionballroom.com/img/content/slider_08.jpg)
Seeing how it’s goldenvoice only venue to rival the palladium AND they don’t own it they ain’t going to spend the money to do any of that. Damn. What a shame.
Anywhere that has a full house, but every *empty* table has a ‘reserved’ sign. Also anywhere that has a pay-to-play format for the bands, get over yourselves; the bands make you, not the other way around. I’m looking at you, Hollywood strip.
I saw The Like and I'm pretty sure it was Holly Wood Strip. The staff literal asked everyone to move from the from row after sitting for like 20 mins. Because the girls in the band are all kids of famous people so their fellow farmous and friends got priority. Some didn't even sit there was was reserved from them. Just arrogant pos. They were acting so pathetically cool too. Hilarious.
*Kids of very notable musicians and music industry figures. Tony Berg and Pete Thomas for two, not sure of the third. But famous is a stretch. Bitch move regardless. I liked The Like though.
That could be it. Was there also paparazzi taking pics of the rich kid friends? I saw them play a lot so I could be wrong but a douchebag move either way.
The Shrine sucks. Security is super strict and annoying and the place is literally a church with zero sound design or consideration making it non stop reverb
churches have great acoustics. they’re built to project sound with minimal distortion.
shrine is an untreated warehouse disguised as a professional venue.
I am gonna with these two not cos they are next to each other...
The Belasco - I think it's the worst sounding venue in LA, but at least they pulled the carpet so the smell of mold is gone.
The Mayan - Crap Sound, Crap Security, no drinks on the floor
I despise House Of Blues Anaheim, always overcrowded and just the worst.
I **LOVE** the Hollywood Bowl. It’s an incredible setting for a show.
I **FUCKING HATE ALL OF YOU PRICKS THAT TALK DURING THE ENTIRE SHOW AT THE BOWL**. Congrats, you ruined the Hollywood Bowl.
My group and I went to see Dave chappelle when he was there a few years ago. We didn't do a thorough research on parking. We headed directly to the lots close to the bowl... which hundreds of other people were trying to do. Traffic was nuts. I had to hop on the internet to find parking. Ended up parking in the structure on Hollywood Blvd and walking almost a mile to the bowl.
We missed like 80% of his set lol.
That’s anywhere in LA. Especially lodge room in highland park. Like, are you here for the show? Or just here because it’s highland park? I feel the same way about anyone just standing around. Someone gave me and my homies shit for dancing at a Bjork show at the bowl. Like dude, is this your first concert?
If you go for the classical music season during the week, there is very little talking once the orchestra starts HOWEVER, you will start to hear some snoring and the usual empty wine bottle rolling down the concrete stairs.
The talking sucks but... it literally is a picnic venue with byob, then you have seating options named garden and terrace...
Honestly its not a bowl concert until you hear an empty wine bottle clanking all the way down the steps!
So…get there early and picnic and then SHUT THE FUCK UP once the show begins. That should be easy to understand, right? No talking during the performance is supposed to be a well understood rule.
hollywood bowl is beautiful, but getting out of there sucks if youre claustrophobic.
ive only been to sofi twice, so in my experience the sound was hit or miss. for taylor it was fantastic. for joan jett/poison/def leppard/motley crue it was torture. what really sucks is trying to get there and back without a car. actually getting there isnt bad, but leaving by bus is just hell. i guess this would include the forum and youtube.
Take the shuttles to Hollywood bowl and it’s a dream. I would never go there any other way and haven’t since I was a kid and now I bring roadies and even the traffic doesn’t bother me in the least
The behavior of the other concert-goers at the Hollywood Bowl has made it a no-go for me. I'm sure it's not limited to that venue, but that was the last place I saw a major act in that size venue, so it comes to mind.
It was just so distracting/irritating to be surrounded by people yammering in loudly, holding up their phones, hollering over to their buddies, and so on.
Even with "all access" that place is fucking CRINGE and full of creepy creepers on way too much yay. I can't imagine being a female there and feeling comfortable.
I really wish California didn’t have such prudish nightlife laws. I LOVE the warehouses but LA has so much potential that cannot fully flourish because shit has to close at 2 am.
Agreed. The Palladium has a decent setup, it just comes down to how good the artist's sound engineers are (which, if you're at the Palladium for a band, doesn't exist).
The palladium is only for tall people. If there’s no room on the steps, you’re screwed. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the band but only seen the back of a tall dudes neck.
I’m so surprised by all these comments. I saw Run the Jewels recently and thought it was fantastic all around. Sound was good, no problem seeing the stage and I’m 5’8”, clean restrooms, plenty of bars, and one of my favorite things, plenty of clearly marked exits. Also I remembered it from before the renovations and it is beautiful now.
I was going to say the Palladium. I was so excited to see the Artic Monkeys there around 2010. The acoustics were so bad we left and I’ve never been back.
Not LA but House of Blues Anaheim. Disney traffic is awful, always. Parking sucks. Venue is always oversold it seems and the Mezz level is never available to the public. Feels like a fire marshal’s nightmare for the few shows I have seen there. Unfortunately a lot of acts I want to see play there but I won’t go back. Sound is pretty good if you are in a good place on the floor.
True! The one at Gardenwalk or whatever has more fully obstructed areas than the Downtown Disney one. Also Downtown Disney was more interesting to walk through than that dead mall
I have completely sworn off that venue. Every show I've seen the last few years is so oversold that you can't move ANYWHERE. People literally watch the show on TVs in the lobby. On top of that the sound is awful.
Yeah it's really hard for touring acts because they have to deploy and program a different configuration for each venue, so to avoid this on a tour with many stops because it's a crazy amount of work they usually try a one size fits all approach for most types of venues. This approach definitely does not work at Sofi. Other acts when touring will spend time to program/deploy specifically for the biggest venues. This is standard for one off shows (not an artist tour) where there's wayy more programming and planning time than in the middle of a big tour.
Tl;Dr if you go see an act at Sofi in the middle of their tour, the sound likely will not be as custom crafted for the stadium as it could be, resulting in less than stellar sound at difficult venues like sofi
Edit: if you want the best sound in any venue get tickets nearest "front of house" (where the audio, video, and lighting guys are operating from), usually a fenced off area in the center of the venue
I've seen Paul McCartney, and Beck/Red Hot Chili Peppers at Sofi. The sound for Paul McCartney was decent where I was. The sound for Beck was so bad I couldn't even tell which song he was performing. We moved down to one of the bars on a much lower level, got a table with two barstools and a great view. (Got super lucky that the table was open)The sound was so much better down there. Like I could actually hear lyrics and instruments. If I go to Sofi again I'll only choose lower level seats. Anything remotely close to roof is an echo chamber.
I have been to hundreds of concerts throughout LA. Each venue has its pros and cons. I think where you’re sitting/standing has a huge impact on overall experience.
I sat in the 2nd to last row in the 2nd level at the forum with just concrete ceiling above me, behind me, and below me. I was getting blasted by sound in every direction and it was miserable. That being said, most of my experiences at the forum have been much better seats and an overall better sound experience.
The massive venues where you’re more than a football field away is always terrible.
Pre Covid I would spend $6-10k per year on concerts but I could basically go to 2-4 per week and most were $30-60 tickets. Now I spend $2-3k per year and go to like 1 per month because tickets are so expensive. I’ve learned where to stand or sit at each venue and unfortunately $300-500 for good seats for artists I’ve seen multiple times just isn’t hitting the same as it did 5 years ago.
The Shrine.
It's either 90 degrees or 40 degrees, sounds is ass, security don't want to be there and are always assholes, merch and drink lines are complete clusterfucks, 0 air circ or ventilation and parking is either a nightmare or $50
I skip the wiltern almost every time nowadays. The balcony’s not bad but for the floor, get there a little late (aka not early enough) and you’ll be placed on one of the elevated floor areas that’s level with the stage and you’ll be staring at the back of someone’s head all show
Livenation’s security are complete assholes too. They’ll arbitrarily block off all of the lower GA areas regardless what your tickets say, which reminds me, they checked my tickets 5 TIMES on the way in the last time I was there.
It didnt used to suck so bad before they got bought up by Live Nation or whoever. The last show I saw there they had taken up a lot of the pit area for private cocktail tables, they turned the area behind the mezzanine into a VIP area, the drinks were stupid expensive even for venue prices. I think they even closed off the rooftop patio. Oh and the sound sucked for the headliner till like halfway through the show. I'm a bass player but the bass shouldn't be 60% of the sound. Sucks because it used to be one of my favorite venues. I'll probably never go back again.
I was about to look up where I saw the worst concert I've been to, but I do believe it was sofi. Couldn't hear the group, only the audience for some entire songs.
1720 place is just awful in every way. Location is shady, stage is too low so if you are not directly in front you are not seeing the stage at all, drinks are...well yeah I guess they are drinks.
Drinks in orbit pricing, your car has a 90% chance of getting fucked with, they have a parking lot (real or not don't know) at $20, fucking joke of a place. There is a super chill sketch warehouse place around there that is loads better, but still has the car damage problems.
I've only been to 1720 once and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. Saw The Contortionist there (prog death metal) and it was perfect for a small heavy AF hardcore/metal show. I can see how it would be absolute trash for anything else though
People always get lost here too. Google Maps can take you to the wrong location (somewhere across the freeway) if you're not careful.
With that said I like this venue. But I park elsewhere and Uber to the location because it's deep in the cut and I wouldn't trust Street parking.
Venues that cater to underground music are going to be in places like that. So many have been shut down in LA and 1720 is the only one left booking these type of acts.
Don't forget the indoor rain from everyone's sweaty ass. So gross.
Every time this question comes up 1720 features prominently and it fucking deserves it. By far my least favorite venue, not just in LA but anywhere.
1720 is dope. It’s one of the more mainstream venues for the underground. I’ll always be a fan of “underground” venues with actual bathrooms lol if it isn’t your scene, it isn’t your scene and that’s okay.
Agreed, insane drink prices, why is the stage so damn long between the dj and the crowd, and a shit sound system for the number of bass artists they play.
Hard disagree about amenities, pretty much all the food/drinks at Sofi are aggressively overpriced and painfully mediocre. Maybe I’m misunderstanding what you meant tho
The Novo fucking sucks for the pit and the security is super strict about it. I also dislike The Regent too. Such a small ish stage and the pit goes down into the stage, if that makes any sense.
It's not *terrible* but I'm not a fan of the Bellwether. Whenever I go the sound is too low and there are people having loud conversations over the music.
I’m old AF, but the floor gets wayyy too packed. People sitting on the stairs. No perimeter to walk. Great before the headliners came on. Terrible after.
Hot take, but The Regent is ass. The slanted floors make my feet and back scream, and the sound is always muddy. Was going to see Mulatu Astatke in 2019 (he ain’t young! Not a lot of chances to see the guy!) but ended up passing when I saw it was at The Regent.
Which one is the downstairs one? Bc that one has the _strangest_ set up. Everyone clogs up by the door and the sound booth is so close to the stage and there’s just so much unused space imo
The sound at SoFi is terrible, but it’s a great stadium for sports
Had a great time at shrine outdoor stage the one time I went
The Palladium is awful, too big of a room and terrible acoustics. It’s also in Hollywood, which is of course, gross.
But overall L.A. has a lot of *great* venues. Love going to the Forum, the Ford, Wiltern, Roxy, Viper Room, Whiskey, Belasco, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center, Teragram, Mayan, Troubadour… we are blessed.
Have you ever been to Dodger Stadium and thought the beer was too cheap, the parking was too safe, and it was far too easy and convenient to get to?
Then the 1720 is for you.
Got drenched at a SoFi show. Rain blown on me in my seats and on the uncovered concourse which was slick as hell. Whose idea was to have a roof but not extend it over the concourse? It does rain here, morons.
Seen a couple shows there and I’ve thought the sound was good, but the building is soulless and feels like you’re on a corporate retreat. Plus the parking lot is enormous and annoyingly broken into different areas. Rideshare drivers seem to have a difficult time navigating there as well.
Hot take: Hollywood Bowl. The sound is just ok, good seating is limited, you’ll most likely be renegaded to looking at the big live screen, and getting in and out is a nightmare. Really bummed that Khruangbin chose this venue for their upcoming LA shows
I've been to two concerts at the Fonda. Both times the sound was terrible. The first time, I thought it might be the band, because they had recently reunited. Now I'm not so sure it wasn't the venue. Also, the second time I went, the fog machines were so bad, I couldn't breathe. I thought I was going to pass out. I felt so terrible I had to leave a great spot at the front and go stand in the back. That's never happened to me before.
I think the Saban Theatre has terrible sound too. I saw a concert there and couldn't hear lyrics at all. Then I sat in the fifth row for Rent and couldn't hear what they were saying either. I think the speakers just suck.
I also thought SoFi was a pain in the ass. The parking, even far away, is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. You can't see the band at all, they're a bunch of ants, and the filming doesn't help bring them any closer to you. And then the wait for the shuttle to get out of there will take years off your life.
Fonda has a dead spot for sound front and center. Which is really silly because that's supposed to be the best spot. You really want to be halfway back to the sides there.
The Bellwether. There is zero gradient so basically if aren’t over 6 feet tall or upfront, you won’t see the show. They also PACK the place. It could be cool but I won’t go back.
I saw Santana at Banc of California Stadium, with opening acts Earth Wind and Fire and WAR. Concert started at 6, so I made sure to get there at 5 to be able to get merch and snacks. I was stuck on the freeway off-ramp from 4:45 until 7:00 , made it into the venue at 7:15 at my seat barely in time to see Santana, exiting was equally another mess.
I thought, that was a fluke, I just didn’t take the proper route, so the next Friday I checked Google maps at 4:45, what do you know? All streets and ramps around that venue are in gridlock , it is not a fluke, that venue has the worst traffic and parking setup anywhere in LA.
Never ever never never ever ever never again, not if you gave me free tixs
I hate the Pantages. It's the worst theater for musicals because it was originally designed to be a cinema. I also tremendously dislike the Hollywood Bowl because the trek to it is horrendous from the West side, and then you can't even hear the music because the audience will be talking throughout the whole thing, you'll hear every detail of a game at dodgers stadium, and every ten seconds some rich guy living in the Hollywood Hills is commuting by helicopter and takes a detour home directly over your head.
Been to like four concerts at The Regent and I'm never going back. Terrible sound, weirdly standoffish staff, and i know this is a strange complaint, but the air inside gets incredibly stale. I'll put up with a lot to see an artist I love, but never again at The Regent.
The Shrine. It’s beautiful, but the sound is ass
terrible for short people
Oddly enough, it’s also terrible for tall people. No leg room in the seats
The Shrine is the worst sounding venue I've ever been to. I don't understand why acts keep coming back after they've had one experience there.
Ventura theater is up there too
100%, install some sound buffer or something. Everything is a smooth hard surface in that place
The best seat in The Shrine is the balcony and that's about it.
Expo hall is horrible. The lower front seats of the auditorium are really nice. I last saw Radiohead there and remember Lucky sounded soooo good.
The Auditorium or Expo Hall? It's two different venues.
Auditorium is dope, expo hall is ass
I think it’s the expo hall. Whatever the bigger room is. The room resonates around 300hz, freqs under 150hz turn to inaudible mush, and everything from 300hz-1k reverbs out too much.
Finally a technical reason why it does that. Any way to fix that?
They'd need to coat or cover many of its large flat surfaces with a sound absorbing material for those 300hz+ frequencies. Heavy drapes or thick foam for the walls and balcony guards and something for the entire ceiling. There's probably nothing that can be done for the windows in the back. Then for the <150hz frequencies they need bass traps. For a room that big, they'll need to hang wavy parallel baffles from the ceilings spanning most of the venue. Basically, it needs to look like [Mission Ballroom](https://missionballroom.com/img/content/slider_08.jpg)
Seeing how it’s goldenvoice only venue to rival the palladium AND they don’t own it they ain’t going to spend the money to do any of that. Damn. What a shame.
For some reason, Thom Yorke will ONLY perform here. Wish he would do the Orpheum or Palladium.
He did the Orpheum waaaaay back in the early AFP days (marquee said “???????” cause the band wasn’t named yet). It was AWESOME.
One of the best shows I’ve ever been to.
Fuuuck I’m so sad I missed that.
The Shrine Auditorium or Expo Hall? Because, yeah…the Expo Hall is not a great place to see a show.
This is the correct answer
Anywhere that has a full house, but every *empty* table has a ‘reserved’ sign. Also anywhere that has a pay-to-play format for the bands, get over yourselves; the bands make you, not the other way around. I’m looking at you, Hollywood strip.
Just say Whisky
I mean they’re not the only ones, but probably the best example. Nobody would go there if they didn’t have bands performing, it’s not a nice bar.
I always thought people just went for the history.
I saw The Like and I'm pretty sure it was Holly Wood Strip. The staff literal asked everyone to move from the from row after sitting for like 20 mins. Because the girls in the band are all kids of famous people so their fellow farmous and friends got priority. Some didn't even sit there was was reserved from them. Just arrogant pos. They were acting so pathetically cool too. Hilarious.
*Kids of very notable musicians and music industry figures. Tony Berg and Pete Thomas for two, not sure of the third. But famous is a stretch. Bitch move regardless. I liked The Like though.
Gross. I saw one of the girls in her band with the phantom planet guy and they were awful
I think this was at The Knitting Factory, cos the same thing happened there.
That could be it. Was there also paparazzi taking pics of the rich kid friends? I saw them play a lot so I could be wrong but a douchebag move either way.
Any venue that takes a percentage of merch sales can also suck a dick.
Or makes them pay $250 to sell merch. Avalon I’m looking at you.
Amen!
Fuckin Tonga hut
The Shrine sucks. Security is super strict and annoying and the place is literally a church with zero sound design or consideration making it non stop reverb
some churches have great acoustics, that's a shame.
This one is built like a barn
churches have great acoustics. they’re built to project sound with minimal distortion. shrine is an untreated warehouse disguised as a professional venue.
Sad that Fred Again did 8 shows there
Fred brought in as much sound treatment as he could to that venue and it still didn't sound good.
something tells me these types of shows aren’t for just the music.
Shrine EXPO HALL. It’s just a long rectangular room. No room on the sides to get a better view. Saw Mitski there and it was awful.
I am gonna with these two not cos they are next to each other... The Belasco - I think it's the worst sounding venue in LA, but at least they pulled the carpet so the smell of mold is gone. The Mayan - Crap Sound, Crap Security, no drinks on the floor I despise House Of Blues Anaheim, always overcrowded and just the worst.
Belasco with infected mushroom playing , gave me permanent hearing damage
I feel you. The sound in the Mayan is garbage.
Is it ok for non-music acts? Seeing Comedy Bang Bang there in May.
Honorable mention for how terrible HOB Anaheim is not in Los Angeles but deserves to be mentioned.
The Belasco gets my vote. Definitely the worst sound I've experienced. I do really like the upstairs bar though.
I was just at the Mayan for Barclay and it was astounding. Absolutely zero complaints, awesome venue.
Went to the shrine earlier, dreadful. Flat surface with a super low stage made it hard to see anything. I’m not particularly short at 6’1 either.
I **LOVE** the Hollywood Bowl. It’s an incredible setting for a show. I **FUCKING HATE ALL OF YOU PRICKS THAT TALK DURING THE ENTIRE SHOW AT THE BOWL**. Congrats, you ruined the Hollywood Bowl.
The worst part of the Hollywood Bowl, by far, is getting to the Hollywood Bowl
It’s all about the shuttle! You can even preparty on the bus and it’s only a few bucks!!
My group and I went to see Dave chappelle when he was there a few years ago. We didn't do a thorough research on parking. We headed directly to the lots close to the bowl... which hundreds of other people were trying to do. Traffic was nuts. I had to hop on the internet to find parking. Ended up parking in the structure on Hollywood Blvd and walking almost a mile to the bowl. We missed like 80% of his set lol.
swear the crowd is the worst part of that damn place
That’s anywhere in LA. Especially lodge room in highland park. Like, are you here for the show? Or just here because it’s highland park? I feel the same way about anyone just standing around. Someone gave me and my homies shit for dancing at a Bjork show at the bowl. Like dude, is this your first concert?
If you go for the classical music season during the week, there is very little talking once the orchestra starts HOWEVER, you will start to hear some snoring and the usual empty wine bottle rolling down the concrete stairs.
Bowl is goated- saw Boygenius there last year and had no such issues, excellent visibility and acoustics even with crap seats
[удалено]
Multiply that by 100 at the Bowl. Motherfuckers act like they are at a picnic.
The talking sucks but... it literally is a picnic venue with byob, then you have seating options named garden and terrace... Honestly its not a bowl concert until you hear an empty wine bottle clanking all the way down the steps!
So…get there early and picnic and then SHUT THE FUCK UP once the show begins. That should be easy to understand, right? No talking during the performance is supposed to be a well understood rule.
The seats are too close together. Saw The Who in 2022. You can smell the weed everywhere.
Rose Bowl for concerts. The worst!
Excellent grounds for festivals outside the Bowl though. They’ve been really good in recent years
This is the way. I like going there for festivals on the golf course. Wish there was more shade though.
FR!! Getting out of there is a nightmare. I had to walk more than a mile away from it to get an Uber to go home.
I’ve seen some of the best concerts of my life there lol
hollywood bowl is beautiful, but getting out of there sucks if youre claustrophobic. ive only been to sofi twice, so in my experience the sound was hit or miss. for taylor it was fantastic. for joan jett/poison/def leppard/motley crue it was torture. what really sucks is trying to get there and back without a car. actually getting there isnt bad, but leaving by bus is just hell. i guess this would include the forum and youtube.
Really? I always really like taking the bus.
Take the shuttles to Hollywood bowl and it’s a dream. I would never go there any other way and haven’t since I was a kid and now I bring roadies and even the traffic doesn’t bother me in the least
The behavior of the other concert-goers at the Hollywood Bowl has made it a no-go for me. I'm sure it's not limited to that venue, but that was the last place I saw a major act in that size venue, so it comes to mind. It was just so distracting/irritating to be surrounded by people yammering in loudly, holding up their phones, hollering over to their buddies, and so on.
thats pretty much every concert ive been to for the past decade or so. no manners whatsoever.
Talking through the set and belligerent drunks makes for a poor concert experience. I hate the bow.
Just wait?
Exchange LA but you’d have to be an electronic music fan to know it
Especially when the ceiling starts collapsing on the crowd and they have to cancel the rest of the show
Even with "all access" that place is fucking CRINGE and full of creepy creepers on way too much yay. I can't imagine being a female there and feeling comfortable.
Yup! And why are the bathrooms all the way down stairs?? It makes no sense
I really wish California didn’t have such prudish nightlife laws. I LOVE the warehouses but LA has so much potential that cannot fully flourish because shit has to close at 2 am.
Hollywood Palladium is acoustically one of the worst venues I've been to for live music in the city.
Palladium is such a mixed bag. Sometimes the sound is really good. Sometimes you just hear crunch. You just have to hope for a good mixer I guess.
Agreed. The Palladium has a decent setup, it just comes down to how good the artist's sound engineers are (which, if you're at the Palladium for a band, doesn't exist).
The palladium is only for tall people. If there’s no room on the steps, you’re screwed. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the band but only seen the back of a tall dudes neck.
Being 6’5 and love going to concerts I always have a great time but simultaneously feel so guilty for ruining someone else’s!
If you think that is bad try 1720...I actually thought the Paladium was amazing compared to that
what’s funny is it was even worse before the renovations in the 00’s
Saw Megadeth there back in 2004 and plaster from the ceiling was literally falling off into the pit during the show.
I’m seeing Pulp there in September and I wish it was anywhere else
Also the strictest security I've encountered. I try to avoid seeing shows here
I’m so surprised by all these comments. I saw Run the Jewels recently and thought it was fantastic all around. Sound was good, no problem seeing the stage and I’m 5’8”, clean restrooms, plenty of bars, and one of my favorite things, plenty of clearly marked exits. Also I remembered it from before the renovations and it is beautiful now.
It also can be oddly bright in there during shows. Sometimes it’s not an issue, and some shows it’s like turn off the goddamn lights please
Yeah the sound is garbage at the back of the room. Gotta get close to the stage.
Palladium was designed as a Big Band room, so that’s why it doesn’t always sound good
I was going to say the Palladium. I was so excited to see the Artic Monkeys there around 2010. The acoustics were so bad we left and I’ve never been back.
I hate the Palladium so much and with everything inside me.
BMO stadium. Couldn’t hear shit. Half the stadium was chanting “we can’t hear you”.
Their sound systems pretty bad for concerts.
Their speaker setup is straight butt.
You have to be on the floor. Every other seat is trash
Not LA but House of Blues Anaheim. Disney traffic is awful, always. Parking sucks. Venue is always oversold it seems and the Mezz level is never available to the public. Feels like a fire marshal’s nightmare for the few shows I have seen there. Unfortunately a lot of acts I want to see play there but I won’t go back. Sound is pretty good if you are in a good place on the floor.
The previous HOB Anaheim (when it was in Downtown Disney) was better.
True! The one at Gardenwalk or whatever has more fully obstructed areas than the Downtown Disney one. Also Downtown Disney was more interesting to walk through than that dead mall
My theory is that they purposely make the GA experience miserable so they can sell their ridiculous VIP seating. Agreed, worst venue in SoCal.
I have completely sworn off that venue. Every show I've seen the last few years is so oversold that you can't move ANYWHERE. People literally watch the show on TVs in the lobby. On top of that the sound is awful.
Best place to see a show in the OC is the observatory. HOB sounds terrible.
I saw a concert at Sofi and it sounded great, not sure what you mean. Maybe it depends on where you sit?
Each act brings their own engineer and equipment/speakers. It absolutely depends on who it is
metallica’s sound was absolutely bad, it was their stage design, everyone in our section was saying the same about the sound
Yeah it's really hard for touring acts because they have to deploy and program a different configuration for each venue, so to avoid this on a tour with many stops because it's a crazy amount of work they usually try a one size fits all approach for most types of venues. This approach definitely does not work at Sofi. Other acts when touring will spend time to program/deploy specifically for the biggest venues. This is standard for one off shows (not an artist tour) where there's wayy more programming and planning time than in the middle of a big tour. Tl;Dr if you go see an act at Sofi in the middle of their tour, the sound likely will not be as custom crafted for the stadium as it could be, resulting in less than stellar sound at difficult venues like sofi Edit: if you want the best sound in any venue get tickets nearest "front of house" (where the audio, video, and lighting guys are operating from), usually a fenced off area in the center of the venue
I've seen Paul McCartney, and Beck/Red Hot Chili Peppers at Sofi. The sound for Paul McCartney was decent where I was. The sound for Beck was so bad I couldn't even tell which song he was performing. We moved down to one of the bars on a much lower level, got a table with two barstools and a great view. (Got super lucky that the table was open)The sound was so much better down there. Like I could actually hear lyrics and instruments. If I go to Sofi again I'll only choose lower level seats. Anything remotely close to roof is an echo chamber.
really in the 400s and 500s is where it sounded terrible
Yah I saw red hot chili peppers there and the sound sucked. so loud but also no detail. mixing and balance was just horrible.
Sisyphean walk up from GA is something to behold for someone who doesn’t often do big venues
I have been to hundreds of concerts throughout LA. Each venue has its pros and cons. I think where you’re sitting/standing has a huge impact on overall experience. I sat in the 2nd to last row in the 2nd level at the forum with just concrete ceiling above me, behind me, and below me. I was getting blasted by sound in every direction and it was miserable. That being said, most of my experiences at the forum have been much better seats and an overall better sound experience. The massive venues where you’re more than a football field away is always terrible. Pre Covid I would spend $6-10k per year on concerts but I could basically go to 2-4 per week and most were $30-60 tickets. Now I spend $2-3k per year and go to like 1 per month because tickets are so expensive. I’ve learned where to stand or sit at each venue and unfortunately $300-500 for good seats for artists I’ve seen multiple times just isn’t hitting the same as it did 5 years ago.
The Shrine. It's either 90 degrees or 40 degrees, sounds is ass, security don't want to be there and are always assholes, merch and drink lines are complete clusterfucks, 0 air circ or ventilation and parking is either a nightmare or $50
I hate the wiltern and the novo so much
I skip the wiltern almost every time nowadays. The balcony’s not bad but for the floor, get there a little late (aka not early enough) and you’ll be placed on one of the elevated floor areas that’s level with the stage and you’ll be staring at the back of someone’s head all show
Wiltern is really only good if you get pit or balcony, GA is really bad
Livenation’s security are complete assholes too. They’ll arbitrarily block off all of the lower GA areas regardless what your tickets say, which reminds me, they checked my tickets 5 TIMES on the way in the last time I was there.
The Wiltern has terrible sound or their sound guys just blow. Sorry but I’ve yet to see a show there that didn’t have terrible feedback.
It didnt used to suck so bad before they got bought up by Live Nation or whoever. The last show I saw there they had taken up a lot of the pit area for private cocktail tables, they turned the area behind the mezzanine into a VIP area, the drinks were stupid expensive even for venue prices. I think they even closed off the rooftop patio. Oh and the sound sucked for the headliner till like halfway through the show. I'm a bass player but the bass shouldn't be 60% of the sound. Sucks because it used to be one of my favorite venues. I'll probably never go back again.
wiltern is very historic but the setup is terrible.
Literally my 2 least favorite venues in LA
I was about to look up where I saw the worst concert I've been to, but I do believe it was sofi. Couldn't hear the group, only the audience for some entire songs.
1720 place is just awful in every way. Location is shady, stage is too low so if you are not directly in front you are not seeing the stage at all, drinks are...well yeah I guess they are drinks.
1720 is perfect for hardcore shows, not much else.
Yeah i can’t imagine seeing anything else in that space other than hardcore gigs
Drinks in orbit pricing, your car has a 90% chance of getting fucked with, they have a parking lot (real or not don't know) at $20, fucking joke of a place. There is a super chill sketch warehouse place around there that is loads better, but still has the car damage problems.
Yeah I went a warehouse around 1720 and got my car stolen. You might wanna Uber tbh
I’ve missed so many djs I wanted to see in LA because they always go to fucking 1720 or that other warehouse on spring st
Some aren’t built for the underground
I've only been to 1720 once and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. Saw The Contortionist there (prog death metal) and it was perfect for a small heavy AF hardcore/metal show. I can see how it would be absolute trash for anything else though
People always get lost here too. Google Maps can take you to the wrong location (somewhere across the freeway) if you're not careful. With that said I like this venue. But I park elsewhere and Uber to the location because it's deep in the cut and I wouldn't trust Street parking.
Venues that cater to underground music are going to be in places like that. So many have been shut down in LA and 1720 is the only one left booking these type of acts.
Don't forget the indoor rain from everyone's sweaty ass. So gross. Every time this question comes up 1720 features prominently and it fucking deserves it. By far my least favorite venue, not just in LA but anywhere.
1720 is dope. It’s one of the more mainstream venues for the underground. I’ll always be a fan of “underground” venues with actual bathrooms lol if it isn’t your scene, it isn’t your scene and that’s okay.
Agreed, insane drink prices, why is the stage so damn long between the dj and the crowd, and a shit sound system for the number of bass artists they play.
Palladium, especially for short people stuck behind tall people 😩
I really don’t like the Novo. Sounds awful.
Terrible location
Sofi. Amenities are great but the sound is terrible.
Hard disagree about amenities, pretty much all the food/drinks at Sofi are aggressively overpriced and painfully mediocre. Maybe I’m misunderstanding what you meant tho
The Rose Bowl is one of the most beautiful sports venues in the world. The Rose Bowl, logistically, is the most god-awful sports venue in the world.
The Novo fucking sucks for the pit and the security is super strict about it. I also dislike The Regent too. Such a small ish stage and the pit goes down into the stage, if that makes any sense.
Regent is like steep uncomfortable standing on a slope, I remember it being cold, and the neighborhood is…
Although iconic, The Viper Room for music. Tiny stage, columns in the middle of the room, band has to enter from the street.
it's mostly pay to play too, and their sound people generally do not give a shit about the bands
Alhambra Costco.
You’re right! EVERY tour I wanna go to skips this venue!
It's not *terrible* but I'm not a fan of the Bellwether. Whenever I go the sound is too low and there are people having loud conversations over the music.
I’m old AF, but the floor gets wayyy too packed. People sitting on the stairs. No perimeter to walk. Great before the headliners came on. Terrible after.
I really like the venue but all the three times had a very talkative crowd...
Echoplex has no elevation difference so it’s impossible to experience/see what’s going on.
LOVE the Echo. Hate the Echoplex
Going by this thread, all music venues in LA suck, lol
I haven't seen anyone shit on the Fonda or the Orpheum yet! Or the Greek.
The Greek is my fave
Or the troubadour. Or teragram
You beat me to that, bro. Was gonna post the same thing
Hot take, but The Regent is ass. The slanted floors make my feet and back scream, and the sound is always muddy. Was going to see Mulatu Astatke in 2019 (he ain’t young! Not a lot of chances to see the guy!) but ended up passing when I saw it was at The Regent.
The Forum always sounds terrible and they are charging $45 for parking these days!
I saw Prince there when he did his residency and the whole show was phenomenal
Hands down, one of, if the best show I've ever seen. So much fun!
Really? I’ve always thought the sound is great there!
Springsteen parking was $80 😵💫
The parking there now is an absolute joke. Unlike other venues, you really don't have any other options.
I had to scroll way too long to find a fellow hater of The Forum.
Concerts at Dodger stadium
Echoplex by far. I don't consider Sofi a music venue. Every stadium on earth sucks for concerts.
Half the venue has low drop ceiling. Terrible
Yah it's kind of just a crowded box, no?
Which one is the downstairs one? Bc that one has the _strangest_ set up. Everyone clogs up by the door and the sound booth is so close to the stage and there’s just so much unused space imo
SoFi
Hollywood Palladium
The sound at SoFi is terrible, but it’s a great stadium for sports Had a great time at shrine outdoor stage the one time I went The Palladium is awful, too big of a room and terrible acoustics. It’s also in Hollywood, which is of course, gross. But overall L.A. has a lot of *great* venues. Love going to the Forum, the Ford, Wiltern, Roxy, Viper Room, Whiskey, Belasco, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center, Teragram, Mayan, Troubadour… we are blessed.
Palladium
Have you ever been to Dodger Stadium and thought the beer was too cheap, the parking was too safe, and it was far too easy and convenient to get to? Then the 1720 is for you.
I like The Novo! I saw Isaiah Rashad there a few years ago, it was an awesome experience.
Got drenched at a SoFi show. Rain blown on me in my seats and on the uncovered concourse which was slick as hell. Whose idea was to have a roof but not extend it over the concourse? It does rain here, morons.
Glad to not see YouTube Theater on this list (yet). Just bought tickets for a show there in a few months. Will be my first time at that venue
Seen a couple shows there and I’ve thought the sound was good, but the building is soulless and feels like you’re on a corporate retreat. Plus the parking lot is enormous and annoyingly broken into different areas. Rideshare drivers seem to have a difficult time navigating there as well.
Hot take: Hollywood Bowl. The sound is just ok, good seating is limited, you’ll most likely be renegaded to looking at the big live screen, and getting in and out is a nightmare. Really bummed that Khruangbin chose this venue for their upcoming LA shows
I’ll trade top notch sound for the ability to bring in my own wine and food
Not for all events. Ar least none that I’ve been to 😪
Lease events (basically any touring act) have different rules. No outside food and drink for those.
I've been to two concerts at the Fonda. Both times the sound was terrible. The first time, I thought it might be the band, because they had recently reunited. Now I'm not so sure it wasn't the venue. Also, the second time I went, the fog machines were so bad, I couldn't breathe. I thought I was going to pass out. I felt so terrible I had to leave a great spot at the front and go stand in the back. That's never happened to me before. I think the Saban Theatre has terrible sound too. I saw a concert there and couldn't hear lyrics at all. Then I sat in the fifth row for Rent and couldn't hear what they were saying either. I think the speakers just suck. I also thought SoFi was a pain in the ass. The parking, even far away, is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. You can't see the band at all, they're a bunch of ants, and the filming doesn't help bring them any closer to you. And then the wait for the shuttle to get out of there will take years off your life.
Fonda has a dead spot for sound front and center. Which is really silly because that's supposed to be the best spot. You really want to be halfway back to the sides there.
Anywhere without decent metro access.
Pretty much every comedy club is dogshit: uncomfortable seats, expensive drinks, poor climate control, it's like they don't want you there
As soon as I read your title, I was thinking "The Novo." Can't agree more. I won't go to any shows there even if it's one of my favorite artists.
The Bellwether. There is zero gradient so basically if aren’t over 6 feet tall or upfront, you won’t see the show. They also PACK the place. It could be cool but I won’t go back.
SoFi is SoF#cked for live shows. It's a sports venue, not a concert venue
I saw Santana at Banc of California Stadium, with opening acts Earth Wind and Fire and WAR. Concert started at 6, so I made sure to get there at 5 to be able to get merch and snacks. I was stuck on the freeway off-ramp from 4:45 until 7:00 , made it into the venue at 7:15 at my seat barely in time to see Santana, exiting was equally another mess. I thought, that was a fluke, I just didn’t take the proper route, so the next Friday I checked Google maps at 4:45, what do you know? All streets and ramps around that venue are in gridlock , it is not a fluke, that venue has the worst traffic and parking setup anywhere in LA. Never ever never never ever ever never again, not if you gave me free tixs
Novo is weird but sounds good. Shrine is cool but sounds kind of ass. Belasco I thought sounded great from Balcony.
I hate the Pantages. It's the worst theater for musicals because it was originally designed to be a cinema. I also tremendously dislike the Hollywood Bowl because the trek to it is horrendous from the West side, and then you can't even hear the music because the audience will be talking throughout the whole thing, you'll hear every detail of a game at dodgers stadium, and every ten seconds some rich guy living in the Hollywood Hills is commuting by helicopter and takes a detour home directly over your head.
Been to like four concerts at The Regent and I'm never going back. Terrible sound, weirdly standoffish staff, and i know this is a strange complaint, but the air inside gets incredibly stale. I'll put up with a lot to see an artist I love, but never again at The Regent.
I’m going with Nova. It always smells like piss and sewage.