Post by RichieRich on Apr 11, 2010 14:14:41 GMT 1
If you've been to the NEC in B'ham lately, you'll know that it's had a make over .... it's now called the LG Arena.
Really nice on the way in, loads of space to get your food and merchandise and a nice 'Wembley' type feel to it.
The walk down the side slopes to get to your seat is really exciting too .... you start buzzing with anticipation ....
They've been really clever with the make over, they are now able to change the size of the venue depending on the band. They pull the stage right forward and drape a curtain behind it to give an 'Academy' type feel. You have the floor area (usually seated) and a balcony area around the 3 sides. It should work really well.
However, there's a problem. A BIG problem ....
There is virtually no atmosphere at all!
I thought it was me to be honest, and having seen 3 bands there now (Deep Purple, Lynyrds and Bad Company) it MUST be me, right?
We were in the balcony the first couple of times, and thought it was a bit strange. Everyone sat there with their coats on. So we were really looking forward to being on the floor for Bad Company.
The thing is that it's all seated though. How can anyone really get into a gig standing by your seat with others around you still sitting and providing polite applause at the end of each song?
The last proper gig at the old NEC was AC/DC last April. OK, so we're not comparing apples with apples in terms of the bands, but come on - the atmosphere was electric. Same with Metallica when they played in the round (stage in the middle of the arena).
I tell you what, eventhough you were walking around in a massive circle with all the other fans at the old NEC trying to get a burger, beer, t-shirt or going to the bog, the atmosphere was brilliant. A proper rock gig feel and buzz.
Perhaps the LG Arena only really works now when they have a band that can fill it. Perhaps they take all of the seats on the floor out so you can actually get involved?
Looking at the difference in atmosphere between the LG Arena and the Wolverhampton Civic last night for Airbourne, it seems to be a no-brainer to me.
I would really now have to think twice before going to the LG Arena again, I would prefer to travel further to see the same band (apart from AC/DC of course, yeah, yeah, I know ......) ;D
Really nice on the way in, loads of space to get your food and merchandise and a nice 'Wembley' type feel to it.
The walk down the side slopes to get to your seat is really exciting too .... you start buzzing with anticipation ....
They've been really clever with the make over, they are now able to change the size of the venue depending on the band. They pull the stage right forward and drape a curtain behind it to give an 'Academy' type feel. You have the floor area (usually seated) and a balcony area around the 3 sides. It should work really well.
However, there's a problem. A BIG problem ....
There is virtually no atmosphere at all!
I thought it was me to be honest, and having seen 3 bands there now (Deep Purple, Lynyrds and Bad Company) it MUST be me, right?
We were in the balcony the first couple of times, and thought it was a bit strange. Everyone sat there with their coats on. So we were really looking forward to being on the floor for Bad Company.
The thing is that it's all seated though. How can anyone really get into a gig standing by your seat with others around you still sitting and providing polite applause at the end of each song?
The last proper gig at the old NEC was AC/DC last April. OK, so we're not comparing apples with apples in terms of the bands, but come on - the atmosphere was electric. Same with Metallica when they played in the round (stage in the middle of the arena).
I tell you what, eventhough you were walking around in a massive circle with all the other fans at the old NEC trying to get a burger, beer, t-shirt or going to the bog, the atmosphere was brilliant. A proper rock gig feel and buzz.
Perhaps the LG Arena only really works now when they have a band that can fill it. Perhaps they take all of the seats on the floor out so you can actually get involved?
Looking at the difference in atmosphere between the LG Arena and the Wolverhampton Civic last night for Airbourne, it seems to be a no-brainer to me.
I would really now have to think twice before going to the LG Arena again, I would prefer to travel further to see the same band (apart from AC/DC of course, yeah, yeah, I know ......) ;D