The Fillmore

I know that people have very different views and experiences even at the same show. After coming across these reviews I have to give my own experience so that people know it's not all bad!

I went to this venue with my boyfriend and his best friend to see Down in September. We go to different shows and venues all of the time including both clubs and arenas. This one didn't seem all that odd or extremely different to any of us. It is a bit odd that there is only one set of bathrooms but this is basically just a one level place and it's not huge...it's just wide.

After going in and loving the general look of the place we glanced around to kind of make a mental map of where the bars and bathrooms were. The bathrooms are to the far side of the stage but not as out of the way as reviews say. I could see why the bathroom would be difficult to get to if it was not for the tape line on the floor (which, yes, could have been much clearer) keeping the crowd out of the aisle. Now I am not one who likes to stand on the outer edge of a show. Going from the middle to the outside of the crowd I didn't have a problem leaving or getting back into it.

There is a bar on the far side from the entrance and one to the right of the entrance against the wall. Again, I didn't see much of a problem with the locations even though Down is definitely a beer drinking concert. The price was pretty average I thought. $9 -$11 for beer. They had mixed drinks too but I didn't get any and don't know prices. We went to both bars a couple of times each on beer runs with no problems. Sometimes you just have to wait but I never really did since there were several attendants working each bar.

I actually really like when there are tiered sections (even though I don't often use these) and when clubs or arenas have TV screens. These are thoughtful for short people like me so we can still see what's happening even when a giant walks into our path...and stays there. I can't say anything about the quality of the screens or camera placement because I stayed up front and center for most of the show and didn't see them but everything sounded great and we all had an amazing time. I wouldn't expect any less from a Down show though!

I have to agree with the 53 year old lady. The bar service was horrible, there is no reason to try selling mixed drinks along with beer. The bartenders were slow and the bars were hard to get to. The lines we long and you are having to get around a sea of people just to get to the bar.

Once you get a couple drinks down now it's time for a bathroom run...GOOD LUCK getting there. The bathrooms are all the way in the back behind the stage area so you have to get around people again. It is a hassle in that joint. I did not have problems with the event security but they were all over the place seemingly rude to others. I have been to many venues as well and I am sorry to say, it does not look like I am going back to this venue.

First trip last night to the new Fillmore to see Gov't Mule. Went with high hopes. A new venue,with a wide open space to design and THEY DID EVERYTHING WRONG! I am 53 yrs old, and yes, I still like to rock out. My husband and I have been to venues literally all ove the US and even Europe.Yes, the show was sold out, but that's no excuse for our horrible experience. Warren Haynes and Gov't Mule are my fav band, we lost count of how many times we've seen them. And we walked out LESS THAN AN HOUR after the show started after driving up from Columbia, SC.
1)Is it a bar or music venue? There were TV screens everywhere. VERY distracting from the music. Why not put the show on the TV's? At least maybe some of us could have seen the show!
2)The bars are poorly placed. They should be further back so bar patrons (who each had to wait many minutes) don't intrude on those watching the show.
Beers were NINE DOLLARS. I don't mind paying a fair price, but I HATE BEING JACKED!!
Due to the location of the bars, we couldn't get away from people takling. We couldn't even hear the MULE!! Since we couldn't get to a bar or hear the music, I quess it's NEITHER.
3)The show was SOLD OUT. By that they mean that you WILL stand packed like sardines behind invisible lines on the floor. Why aren't the lines reflective?
4)There is only one set of RESTROOMS and they are on the far side of the stage. Couldn't get there thru the crowds. I finally used the parking lot.
5)A STAFF MEMBER wearing a BLACK STAFF SHIRT and Black Pants SHOVED ME!And I was behind their little line. I'm not some kid causing trouble, I'm a 53 year old woman! UNACCEPTABLE!I tapped him on the shoulder and SHOVED HIM BACK.
6)We stood for nearly 2 hours before the show even started.(Our choice). But inside there is NOWHERE to sit. Seemed like everywhere we tried to stop or get thru crowds, a STAFF member was there to make you move. How hard would it be to put in bleacher seats in a small are in the back? ANYTHING.
6)The SOUND SYSTEM, which looked so promising, only sounded decent right in front of the stage. One of the reasons we left was because we couldn't even hear the music!! We got in our car and listened to a live Mule Track on the way home and it was MUCH BETTER.
7)The Parking Lot: we arrived early, about 5:30 for an 8:00 show. There wasn't a single port-o-john or place to go the bathroom. There were garbage cans at the entrance only, The lot was full of trash.
8)A vendor set up on the fringes and was promptly shut down.
Don't you guys GET IT???
You need to recognize that your audience is not all 21-25 year olds.We're in our 50's and there were many folks older than us there.There are only 2 venues that we will NEVER RETURN to and now the CHARLOTTE FILLMORE IS #1 on that list.
All that money spent, and it could have been so good.