Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell

Address:	300 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA 01852, USA
Phone:	+1 978-934-5760
Site:	tsongascenter.com
Rating:	4.1

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Elizabeth Tournas

1. Box office sent me to a scalper and then when I confronted them about it they told me I was wrong and didnt give me the time of day to explain what happened. They just basically told me I was wrong and I didnt call the right phone number to begin with. 2. The parking attendants didnt tell us whether to keep the ticket in the car or with us and take it into the venue. Which is a small thing, but still - youd think that they would have that down. 3. There was no security guard or Tsongas employee standing by the line to make sure everyone who joined the line to get into the venue went to the back of the line and didnt just cut in (which people were doing) at one point I confronted a family who literally cut the first person in line (mind you this is a concert that a lot of kids were at) and the woman came at me, pushed me and firmly grabbed my arm. She got right in my face and told me a Tsongas employee told her to just "get behind the barrier" not get to the back of the line. There was almost a physical fight on Tsongas Center property and there was not one employee there to witness it. I find it INSANE that a venue would let a line form outside and not put any security out to monitor it. While that woman was wrong, it all comes down to Tsongas not having their act together. 4. We had general admission pit tickets. We made our way down to the floor and were held up by Tsongas employees because our tickets said "GA 1" and not "Pit" so they refused to let us on the floor. Meanwhile the pit was filling up and it seemed like we got there to get in line 4 hours early for nothing. Eventually I just took my ticket and said I would ask someone else. The man monitoring the pit was moving like molasses and obviously needed help checking tickets and passing out wristbands. The concert we attended was incredible, and despite the fact that it felt like the Tsongas Center was trying to ruin our night, we had a wonderful time. But I will NEVER attend another event here for the simple fact that they obviously are understaffed, under trained, and do not know how to properly run an event venue. I read so many negative reviews about the venue but thought they were probably just bitter people with nothing better to do than write nasty reviews, but I have now seen the light and know exactly what they were all talking about. Im incredibly frustrated with the Tsongas Center.

Amanda Kling

Saturday night was my second experience ever at the Tsongas Arena and will most likely be my last. The last time I went was a few years ago for another very busy concert (Spring Fever: Mayday Parade/Pierce the Veil/All Time Low) and had pretty much the same experience: phenomenal show, horrible venue service. Last time I chalked it up to it being a busy show and maybe being understaffed. But its been four years since and I think those are problems that should have been addressed by now. My main problem wasnt even missing half of the first band (which did annoy me nonetheless), its why I missed them in the first place. When I got to the front of the line, I had a drawstring bag (quite a few people last night thought drawstring bags WERE allowed because others were told drawstring PURSES were fine to have and because the website leaves you thinking that only traditional backpacks arent allowed) and I was told I had to bring it back to my car. I get it, policies are in place for a reason. I asked, "even if its just got an inhaler in it?" and the woman checking bags barked at me, saying, "yeah! Even if its just that! No exceptions!" Very rude and very unprofessional. After I run back and have missed the few songs, I went in, had my ticket scanned, and tried to enter the floor section. Got all the way down to the floor and three steps in before security personnel comes charging over and screaming in my face: "You cant go down THESE steps, not my steps, go back, go BACK!" Im obviously upset and confused at this point and even said, "excuse me, what? I am having a hard time understanding you" because he was yelling fast and it was already loud in there. So he yelled "GO. OVER. THERE." like I was an idiot, waved his hand and guarded that entrance as I left. There is a difference between being rude and yelling because its loud. Awful experience, will definitely not be coming back. And if I was ever asked, I would not recommend this venue. Super disappointed. TLDR; Bands rocked, service was terrible. Had two venue personnel yell at me for asking simple questions. Would never recommend this venue based on the experience Ive had twice now.

m boston

Parent or group of siblings: Do NOT attend a concert at this venue. Arrogant, non-sensical staff/security. If you separate (to use a bathroom, for example), you will NOT be allowed to rejoin your party on the floor -- even if you paid and can demonstrate possession of a FLOOR admission ticket. In other words.. if you leave your kids, or they leave you, to utilize a restroom, forget about rejoining one another. They would NOT permit re-entry to the floor... and they denied exiting to floor. This amounted to willful and knowing separation of parents/guardians from minor kids, and a demonstrated attitude that amounted to "if you dont like it, and continue to argue with us, well have the police/security escort you out". WARNING to all parents or groups of older/younger siblings: Do NOT attend a concert at this venue. They lack any common sense, decency, or respect for you and your situation. The security staff and the alleged policies for managing floor access are totally lacking of a clue. Dont want, run from here. Bunch of idiots managing the place, and just looking for a problem with anyone who might find themselves separated just to use a restroom. They seriously need to learn how to manage seating, tickets, exiting and entering the floor. This isnt rocket science, and theyre attitudes will eventually run themselves afoul of the law... or a parents clenched fist willing to drive a point home. Tsongas shouldnt be booked by future acts and, at the very least, shouldnt be permitted to admit minors. They clearly cant manage this place and clearly dont respect the role of parents/guardians and why that might require them to allow parties to rejoin one another. This place is a lawsuit looking for an opportunity. Good luck with that. Change your policies, educate your workers, or get out of this business.

Gabrielle c

As someone who has been going to shows and events here for over 10 years I can say, sadly, last night was my last one(Bring Me the Horizon March 18th, 2017). While events here have always been a little pricey, last nights even was almost $100 for two tickets after fees. Thirty seven dollars for tickets and almost $12 in fees. Very steep. But that isnt even the complaint. Last night for an arena that holds just over 6,400 people the doors only opened an hour before the concert started. Anyone who has ever been to a show here knows there is always going to be a line for the secured entry. Well last night after intentionally arriving a half hour after doors thinking the line would have died down a little, the line was the largest I have ever seen. I understand every person needs to be pat down due to the world we live in, but, I waited over 45 minutes in a line weaving from the front of the building to the back then back to the front. When you pay over $40 for a ticket to see three bands and end up missing the first and almost the second band due to waiting in line I, among several others, cant help but blame the services at the Tsongas Center. This isnt a complaint about waiting in line like a civilized human, this is a complaint about not opening doors in a proper amount of time. The Worcester Palladiums capacity is one third of the Tsongas Center, they open one hour ahead of time. This arena holds such a high capacity and should be opening minimum two hours ahead of time for such a popular show. Word of mouth traveled fast last night and Im sure there will be several more complaints of how a huge portion of people missed half of the show due to your lack of common sense.