Lakewood Amphitheatre

Reviews 3

JE

Jessica Beck

I took my twin 14-year olds to see 5SOS last night, and it was our first time attending a concert at this venue. I was concerned after reading the reviews, but it really wasnt a bad experience. Location: I heard it was in a bad neighborhood, but the drive to and from the venue (on different routes since they exited us onto Pryor Road and we entered on Langford) was fine. It seemed well-maintained, well-lit, and there were no issues. That said, I didnt stray from the main roads because I dont know the area, but thats just common sense in a large city. Parking: I was really concerned about this after reading reviews. I parked in the venues $10 parking lot. We got to the concert fairly early (5:30 for a 7:30 show), but we got a really great parking spot. We made sure to note the street light we were parked by, and had no trouble finding our car after the concert. Traffic after the concert was not bad, but we high-tailed it out of the concert immediately after the band took their last bow. Since we were parked fairly close we were out of the lot before the worst of the post-concert traffic. Seats: I was worried because we were in Section 202 which looked pretty far on the map. Its a relatively small ampitheatre, however. so the seats werent extremely far from the stage. The NEGATIVE: There isnt much slope to the venue, so when everyone stands up you really have to crane your neck to see the stage. The Verizon Wireless ampitheatre and Chastain Park are much nicer from this perspective because they have enough slope where seeing the stage is never an issue. CAUTION: I dont know if its this way at all concerts, but we had to show our tickets each time we entered the reserved seating area. I had the tickets on an app on my phone, so I had to give my phone to anyone who wanted to leave to get a drink or use the bathroom. My phone was running out of battery, so I was worried we would be trapped outside of the seats! I recommend printing out the tickets instead of using your phone. It makes things easier. Facilities: This seems like an older, bare bones venue. Weve attended events at Verizon and Chastain. This doesnt have anywhere near the charm of Chastain. Verizon is much newer and nicer, and has ample rest rooms and refreshment stands. Aarons could use more restrooms and stands. The girls waited in line for 40 minutes for 2 bottles of water and the worlds smallest cup of Diet Coke. One last note, the seating area has large signs stating "No standing in aisles per fire code", but this isnt enforced. Dont plan on getting out of your seat to use the restroom or get something to drink after the concert starts, because the aisles were jammed. So, my advice: GET THERE EARLY, CHOOSE PARKING WISELY, PRINT YOUR TICKETS, and DONT DAWDLE AFTER THE CONCERT.

CA

cantstoptheflow

I made a trek here for a concert on September 16, 1998. It was Janet Jacksons Velvet Rope tour and this place was called Lakewood Amphitheatre then. This was a great night for me!!!!! It was the first time, it wouldnt be the last, I saw my music idol in person!!! Finding this place was very easy but traffic was at a stand still getting closer to the venue. Parking was a breeze as well. We were out the car and in the venue in less than 10 minutes. We had lawn seats. So we watched the show from the lawn but we didnt stay there for long. The show started on time with Usher being the opening act. He did great singing and dancing very well. He wasnt as big as he is now, as far a stardom, but he was still well-known. I think he was on for about 30 minutes before it was Janets turn to kill it!!! We walked around the venue looking at merchandise and just enjoying our time there. I dont know how much time had went by before Janet came on but the lights went out and we RAN back to our seats to see her set!!!! The show began with "The Velvet Rope" and went well over 2 hours with all the singing and great dancing she did. There was a wall that separated the lawn seats and the arena seats. We kept jumping up on that wall singing and dancing along. The ushers of the venue kept coming telling us to get down. We would get down and when they leave jump right back up there. I guess they gave up after a while because we wasnt gonna be stopped that night....LOL!!!! While the show went on, we were able to grab other peoples seats that had already left. Everyone was still having a good time, people were dancing in the aisles and singing along too. The show was GREAT!!!! After the show was over, we took pictures with a backdrop on Janet and sat around talking. As we were talking a group of men walked past us. One of the guys looked familiar but we didnt put two and two together. Then the guy who took our pictures said,"Hey that was Ronnie Devoe from New Edition and BBD!!!" We were like, "OMG!!!" We ran to catch up with the group and get his autograph. He and his entourage chit chatted with us. That was another highlight of the night. As we were leaving, a guy gave us a flyer for the Official afterparty at a local club. We were three 16-year olds and one adult. We didnt care if we couldnt get in us three just wanted to see if Janet would show up. We drove around for a while trying to find that club, which we never found. As I think back to it now, I dont think the adult in the bunch wanted us to go either....LOL!!! This was a great night for me and everyone who I went along with. I still remember this night like it was yesterday and that was fifteen years ago. Like I said before, this was my first time seeing Janet in concert but it definitely wasnt my last!!!!

CH

Chris Heintzman

My wife and I went to the Matchbox 20 concert on 8/13/17 and had a great time. The general parking lot was free which was unexpected. The parking staff seemed to be doing the best that they could. They directed cars to the specific spots they wanted them to try to keep the traffic flowing as quickly and safely as possible. There were a ton of people tailgating and having a great time. Portable charcoal grills, tables with a food spread that would satisfy anyone, games of cornhole and ladderball, and plenty of pre-concert drinking! Getting through security and into the gate was a breeze 30-45 minutes before the concert was to start. We secured our spot on the lawn, center stage. It was hot but its mid August, it was totally expected. We stayed sitting, along with everyone else, for the first band(Rivers and Rust) that came to stage. We also stayed sitting for the most part during the second band(Counting Crows). But, stood and stayed standing for Matchbox 2o as everyone esle did the same! The sound that the amphitheater creates is absolutely amazing. It was crystal clear vocals, guitar rifts, pianao bursts, and bass to the max without suffocating anything! It was amazing! The light show of each band was unique and unforgettable. Once the show was over, the nightmare started. We got to our car and sat in the rest of the line of cars for 30 minutes without moving. I couldnt believe that we werent moving AT ALL! It took 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot. That, to me, is unacceptable after just having the best time at an excellent venue with great seating, killer sounds, and great times to be had by anyone and everyone. It was beyond frustrating, not sure what your staff could do differently along with the ATL police officers directing traffic, but it would be nice for something to change. Overall, wonderful experience. Just be prepared to be frustrated when leaving to go home.

Other organizations