Last Night at Walnut Creek in Raleigh

A quick rant..I usually try to keep my blogs light-hearted and free of whining. OK after attending a show at Walnut Creek in Raleigh last night I felt like I just had to make a comment. http://www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/502
I have been coming to this venue for many years and seen my share of big shed shows all over the country. This place has matured over time and the parking has become quite orderly. Where are the outdoor bathrooms? This is 2007. We should not have to come into the venue to go to the restroom. Remember, NO EXITING the Venue after your ticket is scanned? Tailgating and socializing before shows brings people out...including me. I met some very nice and interesting people in the parking lot last night. Enough of that.
I was just in Charlotte the other week at a show. Not only did I get an email before the show telling me what I could do and not do, I was advised of the acts performing and the nights schedule down to the minute. I was told I could bring my camera and one bottle of water into the venue. Now that is 2007. When I got there I was greeted by smiling people who welcomed me to the venue and asked me what was in my pockets. I told them and went on my way. Oh, a note...they have bathrooms IN the parking lot... As I got in the folks helped me to my seat and all was well. I felt welcome to be there.
Last night in Raleigh. OMG. No email even though Live Nation was producing. Yes they do the same "production" in Charlotte. May I mention a term here? Technology transfer? Shamelessly re-apply? Are you listening Walnut Creek?
As walked with my daughter to the entrance which was one quarter of a mile away from the $20 over-priced "Premiere Parking"...which is somewhat safer than the OMG half-mile-away dust-bowl who is gonna steal my car stereo parking...I was told to empty my pockets on the table and raise my shirt? Excuse me? Raise my shirt? The first thing I show them is my camera which is about as non-professional as one can get. Casual photos for my relatively unknown blog...Not tonight, I was told you will need to check that at Guest Services...Well guess what "I ain't checkin' #### I mumbled to myself.." I walked back to my car. Yes all the way back and put everything I could from my pockets..except my one car key, cell phone, and sunglass case which holds my replacements for my sunglasses when it gets dark. I walk all the way back to the entrance. After silently throwing the contents of my pockets on the table in front of no less than eight stern-looking attendants a guy behind me goes "what is in your back pocket?" I go "Nothing?" He keeps pointing and draws the attention of two other large guys. I ask him if he wants me to pull my pants pocket inside out...better yet I say, why don't I just drop my pants too." By now I am pissed for being treated this way." Enough, you get the picture.
Now back to reality for a moment. Yes it is a different day. I appreciate the fact that these folks have a business to run and their job is to protect everyone. God knows I don't want to witness a murder, so no weapons please..But there is a way to do this without causing people to be uncomfortable in the process. Anyone ever heard of a metal detector? I was in DC three weeks ago for days and the security never treated me this way all over town.
I felt like I was trespassing last night. I just paid over $200 to see a show and I get treated like this? No wonder shed shows are falling off. Get a clue, get a customer service department.
I am tired of the big box approach to everything in America. It is time we thought about the person who is paying the bill. Finally, as I was leaving my seat last night a guy with the "Event Staff" vest on looked me in the eye as I walked by and said " Have a good evening sir and thanks for coming out" I wish I knew his name. Now that's what I call a nice guy. I would hire him for the customer service trainer.
The story continues...
http://www.newsobserver.com/308/story/667988.html
In case the link goes away, here is an excerpt from the story. Interesting reading about the future of at least...this shed. Sad. I am sure with better management this could be a great facility. A suggestion? Lower prices? Customer service? Maybe one day we can rant on that one...

Source: The Raleigh News and Observer
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/

Today's paper has a story about Walnut Creek, and whether or not the city-owned amphitheater is living up to its obligation to present diverse acts. As the story recounts, it's not a simple question. And it takes place against the backdrop of a troubled industry, in which big outdoor sheds are becoming obsolete because so few new acts can fill up a 20,000-seat venue. Wilson Rogers, who oversees Walnut Creek and other sheds for concert-promoting giant Live Nation, is not optimistic about the future.

"The trends are not encouraging," Rogers says. "I keep thinking we're going to have to put ramps up to the stage to get the performers on. The business is aging and there do not seem to be enough big acts. There are no proving grounds anymore. It seems like we're running out of talent, which can't possibly be. But if you can't get talent exposed and built up..."

If big sheds like Walnut Creek are dinosaurs, the concert industry's future might lie in making its high-end venues smaller.

"I think amphitheaters might become more niche-oriented," says Rogers. "Maybe smaller, with 10,000 reserved seats and a pared-down infrastructure. I think you'll see more smaller buildings because crowds are spread out over too many genres."