Skiing and Music

[deadheadskier]

I've never understood the fascination with SPAC other than the town of Saratoga being cool and the park grounds being scenic. I do like Pav seats there, but the lawn is the worst of any shed venue I've ever been to. I don't know how someone could design something so poorly. I haven't been to SPAC in probably a decade. Has security lightened up? Only venue I've ever been to that I've had beer confiscated for simply having it in my car. Took it while waiting in line to park.

 

[Smellytele]

Think I said on here how much I disliked SPAC. Lot scene was fine but once inside it was horrible. 3/4 of the people couldn’t see the stage. They pack so many people in. Hundreds were behind the trees and the sound is horrible.
Most sheds you can setup on the lawn sitting on blanks and chairs and actually see the show, not at SPAC

 

[chuckstah]

I was on the SPAC lawn in 83 and 84 for the Dead. Back then they didn't stop selling tickets, just kept packing people in. There really are very few good sightlines from the lawn, but somehow we managed to see if I remember correctly. It might have just been during the thunderstorm, not really sure at this point. I think there were 40-50 K or something like that people in attendance. Packed. It was a crazy good time, at least 10 of us in one shitty motel room. People camped everywhere. No law or order. I've only been back once since, for Steve Winwood and Steely Dan, and the lawn sucked, but it was pretty empty so not terrible.

 

[WoodCore]

Will be spending the next few days enjoying a much different SPAC concert experience this weekend. 30+ years of continuous attendance, wouldn't miss it for the world.

 

[crank]

Did Sphere D&C last July 4 - visuals were insane and I thought the coolest thing was seeing a few shows I saw in my youth when they put up all those ticket stubs. As always being a Jerry freak and very appreciative of Bobby's longevity - I am not one of those DH's that is very critical cause D&C is always a fun time with old friends but could've been musically better. Still had a blast for the weekend and my girlfriend loved it

We went to the Friday and Saturday shows that weekend. Tons of fun. Met up with some west coast friends for the weekend.

 

[jimk]

This is kind of fun, an article (from 2013) on the best amphitheaters in America.

The "shed" nearest me and that I usually see a show or two at almost every year is Wolftrap, VA. It has a capacity of about 7k. The great thing about Wolftrap, besides being about 15 min from my house, is that they allow you to bring your own food and drinks, including booze. I think the first show I saw there was B B King in the late 1970s. Most recent two shows were Robert Plant/Alison Krauss and Daryl Hall/Elvis Costello in 2024. The acts they book cater to an older/sedate crowd, so the BYOB policy results in very little craziness. I guess two of my favorite concerts there were Lyle Lovett and Large Band and Joe Cocker, both about 15 years ago.

 

[crank]

I've been to SPAC a bout a half dozen times over the years. Haven;t been in at least 15 years. Went to a bunch of the NYC Ballet galas there , always a good time and talk about elaborate champagne picnics! Saw Tom Petty and Bob Dylan there - they sounded like 2 alley cats when singing duets. Saw a couple of Newport Jazz fests there, standouts in my mind were George Benson and Stephane Grappelli (not together).