Initially, I was bummed U2 wasn’t the first act to perform at the arena, but after seeing the Rolling Stones on Friday, I realized they were a perfect fit. Arms stretched to the ceiling, fists pumped in the air and throats were screamed hoarse as Mick Jagger kicked the show off with "Start Me Up." The band’s hard-charging, beer-toasting, scream-’til-you-cry rock was just right on opening night. It was feel-good music with fist-in-the-air attitude for an arena that was built on time and within budget.
My favorite part of the show was the tribute to Ray Charles when Jagger sang Charles' hit "Night Time is the Right Time." Keith Richards sat on the drum stand, smoking a cigarette and playing his guitar while Jagger wailed as if Charles' spirit had taken him over.
What did you think of the show and the new arena? Click on the "Comments" link below to share your thoughts.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Stones right act for arena debut
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I was a little disappointed w/ both the arena and the show. The arena was obviously not ready for the public. The restrooms closest to our section were not open and the others were very poorly marked -- so poorly that the single stall family restroom had a line of 20 women waiting while the "real" women's room 100 feet away had no line (no one knew it was there). The first 3 menu items we ordered from the concession stand were not available, so we had to settle for our fourth choice. No fewer than 5 people fell on the same, poorly marked step into the section. Thus, lots of spilled beer...
As for the show, I can't believe I paid $175 for a 100 minute show -- and that counts the obligatory introductions and solo features. You've got to be kidding me. Some of their biggest hits weren't even on the play list -- Emotional Rescue, Under My Thumb, etc.
Hope this isn't a sign of things to come at the new arena.
Arena is really impressive as an uptown landmark. Concert was great. Super energy in the building.
I thought the show was fantastic. I received the tickets as a birthday present, so I can understand the concern about the price -- I personally would not have paid $160 a piece for nosebleed tickets.
Positive aspects of the new arena: surprisingly, there was ample parking -- I parked in a lot just beside the arena at 7:00 pm, a mere 30 minutes before show time; and of course, the arena's proximity to uptown bars provides great entertainment post-show.
Negative: I have to agree with the other poster regarding the poorly lit steps. There was no usher to warn us, and no lighting. I could have severely injured myself when I fell off a step -- my nachos got soaked with my $6.25 cup of Bud Light. Also, the seating walkways are far too narrow. I hope the Bobcats have some great insurance coverage for premises liability!
It was definitely a night to remember. The Stones were the right act to open up the arena and the energy they provide before,during, and after the show was so great to see in our burgeoning downtown city. You could see it course through the veins of people everywhere. Furthermore, the new arena is spectacular. I look forward to going to several Bobcats games this year. All this being said, the first night management of the new arena could have been better. Beer lines running out of beer or certain menu items an hour before the main attraction gets on stage is unacceptable. This obviously happened to concession stands right in front of the entranceways. They need to doublestock these stands and also have someone directing people to other stands because there were several just around the corner that had very short lines and huge supply. Another beer stand could not keep up with the flow and had warm beer - again, unacceptable. Lastly among my complaints, I can't believe HOW SMALL they made the men's bathroom in a new arena!!! I mean five urninals (including one junior) in a restroom for an arena that was built in the year 2005!!!! The old coliseum had at least 15 urninals and four stalls and they still had lines out the door during halftime of games. That was a huge disappointment - smallest restrooms of any arena I've been to -- We all know that no one likes to miss a song or a play in a game because they're standing in line to urinate due to small poorly built facilities. Mind boggling. Anyway, other than that...I loved the arena and I'm very psyched it's here. Charlotte has opened a new chapter in its history and the events at the arena will add to the vibrancy of an evergrowing downtown. Congrats!
Having driven from Columbia to see the show, it was well worth the drive and the environment was electric.
The Rolling Stones were a good act to have chosen to open the new arena. I have been a fan of theirs for a while. I own a few of their live CD's.
In person, it was surreal.
Even the seats high up were good, but the acoustics could have been better, especially during the Joss Stone performance.
I agree with the previous comments that one of the best things about the new arena was the ease of parking. I parked at the BB&T Center and I was able to get back on the road home.
I got the overall impression that they needed a dry run through before the arena and show opened up, because of a couple of snags that I noticed.
When I went to the concession stand, they had no idea how to use the register. I could see how that cold hold up a line or prevent people from getting in and out.
On the 200 level, the restroom facilities were more than adequate. There were hardly any lines or issues to speak of.
I agree with the earlier comments that the staircases were extremely steep. I am glad that my seats were lower, but there were ushers in my section and people to show you where to go.
I'd see a show or a game there again.
Charlotte concert fans are just like their professional sports fans...pitiful.
Mick Jagger is the only man alive who can skip across the stage and make it look cool.
Mick was in his game. Keith was a little tired. Ron Wood seemed groggy and the acoustics left something to be desired. But overall, I had a wonderful time at the show. I got my money's worth. They played their hearts out, it was loud, and the visual effects (videos, lights) were amazing! For instance, the girl in Brown Sugar, stalking the streets of major cities around the world, and doing a pole dance on the Eifel Tower.
Stones style, for sure.
And the Arena looks more like a night club on the inside than an arena. Very steep upper level seats, but that puts anyone right on top of the action. I saw someone fall over 4 rows of seats, he had a little too much to drink, but the seats are right on top of the row in front of you.
We had a great time.
Teh best concert I have ever seen. Great to see the last Stones show in Charlotte ever. For those of you who wanted to hear a particular song, get over it. They started in 1962 and if they played EVERY hit they ever had they'd still be there the next day playing. The set list was bitchin. I did not expect Paint It Black. The stage was excellent. Joss is quite a singer as well.
WHy are all of you people so negative about the Arena.... you are rediculous
The Stones were AWSOME. The Arena was GREAT!
Awesome concert to open an awesome new Arena! Someone did a great job training the personnel at the Arena--I have never seen that many well-mannered, helpful people at one venue in Charlotte before! Great job!
Loser pot heads in section 208, Row O seats 21 & 22. Hope your mother reads this.
The Arena is beautiful, and the Stones were fantastic, as usual! Glad Elton John is scheduled to appear soon.
Great Show Those boys still know how to Rock' N Roll after all those years!!! Looking for information on the set,(tunes played)??? Lost the copy I had
the set list can be found on the rolling stones' site at:
http://www.rollingstones.com/virtualticket/index.php
Here it is for Charlotte:
Start Me Up
You Got Me Rocking
Shattered
Tumblin' Dice
Oh No Not You Again
Ruby Tuesday (Awesome!!)
All Down The Line
Night Time Is The Right Time
The Worst
Infamy
Miss You
Rough Justice
It's Only Rock And Roll
Honky Tonk Woman
Sympathy
Paint It Black (Awesome!!)
Brown Sugar
JJ Flash
Can't Always Get What You Want
Satisfaction
I enjoy the Rolling Stones, but was very disappointed in the concert last night. Granted - we were in section 207, high in the stands, but the sound was horrible - almost as if the speakers were too loud - I couldn't understand what they were saying, much less singing. Your right, but I took in consideration that it was Mick being Mick, but the opening act was very difficult to understand also - so I know if just wasn't the Stones. Also - the air system up there wasn't the greatest. During the 45 minutes to the 1 hour 'intermission' (what was that all about???) - it was very stale and warm up in the clouds. Needless to say - not the most enjoyable night especially considering the amount of the tickets - in my opinion it was not worth it.
Has anybody used the word "dated" lately. This is (maybe sadly) just not the 1970's.
How long are these smart hustlers going to be struttin' and screamin' and makin' the bucks from fools....
If there was a group today as note-worthy as the Stones they would probably be playing instead. I'm sure we all wish there was somebody so good today but we can't think of anyone, Chili Peppers? U2? Garth Brooks? Tool? Dave Matthews? ACDC? Beach Boys there you go.
the concert was awesome!!people it was the first event ever held there,so the workers had to learn as the people coming in!! Give em a break . Everything I saw went quite smoothly,. The only negative to me is the seats are a little bit to tiny for large people!!! Bring the stones again!!!!
One thing I did appreciate that I haven't seen here... the seats were padded! They were tight, and there was very little leg room. This also translated to standing over and over as the drunks headed out repeatedly for beer runs. We also had some LOSER pot heads in 228 -- finally got an usher to put an end to all the SMOKE! There were several young kids around. not sure who to fault on this one -- the openly smoking pot heads or the idiot who spent $175 on a ticket for a 6 year old who slept through the whole thing...
I don't consider us pitiful concert fans as was indicated above. For $175 a person(after service charges), plus $10 for parking, we are justified in expecting not just a good, but a GREAT show, amenities such as working restrooms, and stocked concession stands. With the economy in the state it is, there is competition for our entertainment dollars. You could have great seats at a Broadway show, professional sports, fantastic dinner for less than the cost of our night at the Stones concert.
I thought the Stones were absolutely fantastic and I agree with the person that said get over it if they didn't sing your favorite song--there are just so many excellent songs that they could have sung all night and not gotten to all my favorites. They looked in shape and fantastic--their talents have never faltered. As for the facility. It is initially beautiful. There were not lighted Exit rows and the upper levels are very steep. The bathrooms looked like they had been used for years. I did, however, find the staff nice and polite. There were no ushers for the upper levels which in the dark made a lot of people stand in the walkway in and out.
The Concert seemed to end too soon but guess I was wanting to hear more. The acoustics were the best I've heard in any venue of this size but when I went to the concesions for the $6 beer, why couldn't they at least have the concert on all those flat TVs they put on the concourse?
I've seen the Stones many times (first time in 1972) and I must say that this show was disappointing compared to the other Stones shows I have seen. This was their last show before a week long vacation on their tour schedule and I guess they just wanted to do what they had to do and get out of there. However, I am one of their oldest and biggest fans and I will go watch them eat if that is what they want to do in public.
The Stones may have felt like I did: Same old boring Charlotte concert crowd. Hicks from the sticks. Want to come in and pretend they are on their sofas at home. Sit on their butts and not move until the next to the last song is played and make a run for the door so they won't be inconvenienced by a little traffic. This is not all Charlotteans, but those of whom I speak, know who you are.
As for the arena, the hype far outweighs the reality. Of course, it would have to because the Charlotte tax payers have to be convinced that it is worth it.
I have never liked the hypocrisy of Charlotte concert or sporting events. No alcohol after a certain time at the event, but once you leave, walk into any bar and you can drink until you puke.
I will only come to Charlotte to see the biggest acts, such as the Stones. They are one of the few acts that I will put up with the snooty, lazy crowd to see. I did meet a few really cool people at the show, but they were far out numbered by the uppity butt sitters.
For other sporting and concert events, I will continue to travel to the true "world-class" cities.
The Rolling Stones are GODS. They have been doing this since the Beatles, Zepplin, Hendrix, and they are still doing it. Charlotte is fortunate that they would even come to this town, much less this state TWICE only a few weeks apart. That is history you are watching on stage, they don't have to prove anything to anyone. Both Keith & Mick had a little cold going on that the general public was not aware of. As for the Arena yes it was fine, I saw alot of loooooong lines, but even if it is so nice, the truth is there is absolutly NOTHING wrong with the old stadium on Tyvolia, that is/was a state of the art basketball arena that any town would be honored to have.
Fact is the Rolling Stones are the greatest and Charlotte will never be considered a big league town, our entire downtown or uptown could fit on a street corner in New York or Chicago, don't misunderstand me, I have lived here 30 years and love this town, but we still just Mayberry, which is not so bad.
Great concert, fine venue, good pot, get over it people, Stones didn't even know what town they were in, they came, they ruled, they left. If you were there congratulations you saw the Masters at work, if you weren't there then you just plain miss it, shame on you.
I know it's only rock & roll...BUT I LIKE IT!!!
The Stones rocked. Not the best concert I've seen from them but they still rule. The acoustics were horrible. The vibration was a little too much. I think you guys forgot something. Also the seating is less than desirable unless you sit in the box seats - no room and too steep. Hope you guys have good insurance. No grip on those steep steps we had to make at $160 a pop. Not too impressed from my first impression but hey I voted against the stadium. The one on Tyvola was just fine but I will give you the benefit of the doubt and try one more concert. If the acoustics are still bad - you can keep your $160 for nose bleed seats. Hope you prove me wrong but I have my doubts. The people who were working the venue were great. At least you have something going for you. I wonder what Joss and the Stones thought about our new stadium?
Seen the Stones 15+ times since 1994. This was the tightest, most professional show i've ever sene them play. Amazing. God bless them. While I was careful to take my pot to the smoking porch (being considerate to all the kids and parents in there) i find it hard for people to complain about it... i mean, it was a Rolling Stones show for God's sake... and a kick-ass one at that. great energy in that building. overall, i thought the crowd matche dthe band with a great performance. whata night, in a damn nice arena.
The person who was complaining about the loser pot heads and "drunks" ( people who purchase and drink more than one beer ? ) should have rented a Stones Concert DVD at Blockbuster and watched it in the insulation and comfort of his/her snooty little abode.
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