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Bank of America Pavilion
Rating Details »
Categories: Stadiums & Arenas, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Waterfront, South Boston290 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 728-1600
- Nearest Transit:
-
Silver Line Way (Silver)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Garage, Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
71 reviews for Bank of America Pavilion
I am going to explain how to get to the Bank of America Pavilion via the Silver Line. It was my first time using it, and I saw lots of confused people.
Take any subway, etc. to the Red Line to South Station. Then follow the signs to the Silver Line. You will not need a transfer of any kind, and you will stay underground. Either bus (SL1 or SL2) will take you to the pavilion. The bus will be underground on electric power, and it will stop at the Courthouse Station and then the World Trade Center station. Next, the bus will emerge from the dedicated tunnel and will stop at Silver Line Way to disconnect the electric and start the diesel engine.
Get off at this Silver Line Way stop and face the harbor. You will see the giant pavilion tent. It is only about 100 yards away.
To get back to South Station, reverse the process and go the the Silver Line Way stop (a small shelter) just outside the tunnel. All Silver Line buses will take you to South Station. There were many people after a concert trying to figure out which Silver LIne bus would take them to South Station. They all do. (It is best to have a ticket or Charlie Card.)
I hope this helps.
Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of the very large venues to begin with. Shows are more expensive - in fact, everything is more expensive - they generally bring in acts I'm less interested in seeing, and for the most part, seated venues are just kinda dull to attend shows in. There are exceptions, of course, but even then a place like the Wilbur or Orpheum would probably accommodate those bands better.
To begin with, prices. You're probably going to be dropping 50 bucks for a ticket to a show here. Once in, you'll be paying seven to nine dollars for a beer. I don't know what food prices are like, but I imagine they're outrageous as well.
Acoustically, I gotta say I think the Comcast Center beats it out. I saw Sigur Ros here, and while it was still one of the best concerts I've been to (seriously, everyone should see this band live), the sound just fell completely flat once it got past the first twenty rows or so, which is really unfortunately considering how spacious the music is. I don't know if the Comcast Center has lower ceilings or what, but it just sounds much better.
Not really sure what else I can say, really. A lot of shows you're simply going to have to come here for, simply because your Radioheads and Flaming Lips are going to need the biggest venue the city can provide.
Oh, also, if I may get political for a second, we want Live Nation getting as little of our money as possible. These ridiculous "convenience" fees and refreshment prices are only going to get worse as they continue to corner the market. Support your local acts! You'll save a bunch of money and feel hip and cool at the same time.
Good points:
1. Large space
2. Accessible by public transportation
3. Good selection of concerts / events
4. Nice location
Bad points:
1. Outside, so events are easily marred by bad weather (especially if you get the cheap seats, which are on tables outside the tent, which is not clearly stated by LiveNation (the venue's ticket-seller)).
2. The sound quality isn't very good, at least not at the back edge of the pavilion.
3. The food prices were even more of a rip-off than I expected.
4. Even the cheap seats were quite expensive.
Could be worse, but I think I prefer Boston's many smaller concert venues.
Oh my........
This place is far superior to the Comcast Center in every way possible. Yes, you do have to walk a small bit from the various T stops (Aquarium, South Station, Haymarket) but the walk is good on a beautiful day. We walked down the various areas by the water and ended up walking through a 5-star outdoor restaurant. I didn't feel out of place of course, because there were no velvet ropes preventing me from just leisurely waltzing through. Remember, I am the boss.
So we get there and I end up being more bold and drinking an entire bottle of Jagermeister with Mountain Dew and Captain Morgans and Coke. I am completely feeling nice. Until I saw the prices of drinks there. No worry though. This concert is for Beth-Ann's favorite band, so costs are trivial.........plus I'm drunk so money means little at the time. $10 for a draft beer sucks, but whatever.
I got to catch a drumstick off the forehead from the drummer of Halestorm............3 beers earlier and I would have so caught it. The lead singer was trying too hard but their drummer was awesome. He obviously threw the drumstick to me as I was cheering him on......but I was pretty intoxicated and stupid.
I also got to see Chevelle which was cool, I always liked them. They sounded excellent here. I figured the speakers here would be weak, but they were actually pretty good.
6 beers later, and alcohol induced vomiting, I was up and having a good time listening to Staind. I didn't eat enough and drank too much. It was the first time I had ever gotten sick from alcohol on it's own. All the other times were from some psycho driving while I was drunk or getting on a rollercoaster at Canobie Lake Park drunk.
The police and security here were VERY relaxed compared to the Comcast Center. No padding down, no strip search, no being yelled at. I didn't even get carded after the first round of beers, but I ended up being stopped by the police and 2 security separately after the 3rd round. I guess some people think I look young?
Overall, this was an excellent venue. Due to my decreased wallet size, increased weight and inability to act normal........I'll be going alcohol free here from now on. Which should save me considerable money. I do wish though, that some other big groups come here instead of Comcast Center. It's an easier trip and less hassle than Mansfield, MA.
5-stars!
I love the Pavillion for concerts. I have been here only twice but both experiences were great. Of course the drinks were outrageously expensive and make you feel like Live Nation is giving it to you up the ass but aside from that great venue.
Went with my b/f last night to see Staind. Took the blue line to Fanuel Hall, had dinner and drinks then walked over to the Pavillion. Ok its a bit of a walk but well worth it when you are strolling down by the harbor enjoying the beautiful weather and good company.
The Pavillion let us in without a strip search haha and while there were obviously cops around they weren't outright looking for trouble. The place has a slight incline so everyone has an ok view. We bought partially restricted view seats and could still see the stage GREAT. Not to mention that the performers come right out into the crowd and interact with their fans. Something that you don't normally see at the shitastic Comcast Center.
Five stars to the Pavillion...so when's the next show?!?!
This is the best place in Boston to see a concert. Hands down.
It's clean, has new seats, and is well-organized. When you look to the side, you can see the water. When you turn around, you can see the city skyline. Does it get any better than that?!
Many more shows need to be booked at this venue rather than the Comcast Center - it's just miles better! Plenty of places (many of them newer) to grab a bite before the show. This area is really starting to build up.
Bank of America Pavilion is a rockin' place to attend a concert!!! Though I've been to this venue on more than one occasion, I most recently visited for Staind, Shinedown, Chevelle, and Halestorm. Awesome show! Stadium seats to sit in. . . but the stadium "leveled" seating this is not. Fortunately, I had a short guy standing in front of me, so I was able to see the stage just fine! Keep this in mind when spending your dough for seats up front!
Quick and easy ride in on the T (Silver Line gets you decently close). Simple frisk and you're in! My friend easily got her camera into the show with some mediocre camouflage. If you don't want to deal with that though be sure to leave your camera at home! Especially if you take the T in.
Plan your night wisely food and alcohol-wise. Meals can get a bit outrageous, but if you take this into account before hand you'll be all set. Main point, get something to eat before coming here! If you get hungry during the concert, splurging for a $3 - $4 pretzel is better than $9+ for a hot dog and fries. Don't come here with the intent of getting buzzed for the show, unless you pre-game or drink on an empty stomach. Sam Summer Ale's were $10! Yikes. Bought one for the "experience" and saved the rest of my drinking for later. Bathrooms are easily accessible. . . just go during the show or race there when a band is finished. Otherwise you'll be waiting forever!
The acoustics of this place are more than acceptable and make for an enjoyable listening experience. Gets a little chilly at night with the wind coming off the water, but its generally not a problem. Staff seem reasonable and are only trying to make everyone's experience a good one. I would gladly return here in the future for further concert-going!
Had free tickets to attend the Jamie Foxx concert here. It's a pretty nice place to hold a concert. I love the fact that it's next to the water and the view of the city is pretty.
I would definitely return here for another concert held during the summer months!
Trying to find parking was a bit of a hassle so we had to park in a lot a few blocks down. Sucks when you're wearing high heels :(
I have seen Tori Amos, the Flaming Lips, Elvis Costello (not my choice), and Tori Amos again (because who can get enough of this lady?) in this venue. I can barely express the magical combination of music and ambience in this place. While you're listening to your favorite song, the summer night breeze wraps around you with vistas of downtown Boston and the water beside you. It's hard to top that.
Something that you hardly ever read about is that there are ample bathroom stalls for women. Trust me, it matters when you're trying to get back before the song ends.
A downside is that the drinks are pricey ($13 for an 8 oz. daiquiri?!), so don't go thinking you can sustain that buzz to get you through Mr. Costello.
I honestly comb the events page every summer just looking for something to take me there.
I hate the fact that I even have to rank the Bank Of American Pavilion with one Star, because my experience was that terrible.
I'm a rock and roll kind of girl, I'm passionate about the music that I listen to and I love to have a good time at a show.
Last night I went to see the band Chevelle at the Pavilion and it was my first time ever going to a seated concert. I thought the worse of it to be proved wrong, but indeed it truly sucked.
Before the Venue even opened there was a sign saying that there are no Digital Cameras, which is not posted ANYWHERE on my ticket nor the website. So if you came by train your only option is to either shove it in your bra or underwear.
Also, they were making a big deal on the size of peoples bags whether it was a handbag, purse, backpack. They wanted me to put my handbag in my car, but I argued that I took the train and finally they gave up and let me keep it.
I had two tickets $52.00 each...
to sit in a chair in which the rows are NOT LEVELLED so if your not 6"5 I wouldn't recommend looking forward to see the stage very clearly.
On the end of each and every row are Nazi Event Staff making sure your either in your chair or behind your chair and not standing in the isles to get a glance of the stage. GOD FORBID.
And don't get me started on the recession stands.
It is outrageous. I recommend every one going to this place to stuff your faces before you come to the pavilion you'll go bankrupt on a two slices of CHEESE pizza and a drink costing $14.00 and $4.00 for a 50 cent bag of lays chips.
So basically I wouldn't recommend this Venue to any rockers, because you'll definitely be disappointed.
Unfortunately, I'm going again to see Coheed and Cambria in August at Heaven and Hell and I'm almost dreading it.
I just went to the BOA Paviliion last night to see John Legend. I vaguely remember going there before - but not in the last 10 years. It is nice to be breathing the summer air, and I was amazed how quick we were able to leave after the show, and use the restroom between performers. This place is designed well for certain things. My gripes were the sound quality wasn't as good as other venues - echoey maybe? Also I wish they had large screen monitors to show close-ups of the performers. We were sitting mid-way back, so couldn't really make out facial expressions of the perfomers well.
It was fun going to the BOA Pavilion for a change of pace, but it made me appreciate the Orpheum for sound quality and intimacy value. The set-up at BOA Pavilion was impersonal/commercial with a large screen backdrop behind the whole stage showing MTV-esque graphics the whole time. The worst graphics were psychedelic imagery and pictures of models.
BOA Pavilion is worth checking out once per summer. It would be better if they served a full bar.
If you want to experience Boston in the summer, you have to catch a concert at The Bank of America Pavilion. Sam Adams himself would attest to that statement.
Last week, Heather O. and I made our yearly pilgrimage here to see an 80s band. On tap this year was Poison, Dokken, and Sebastian Bach. We actually got 6 other people to come and it was the best concert of the year for all of us. After heavy pregamming and double fisting the huge But Lights at the Pavilion, we were ready to sing about those thorny roses and "Something to Believe In."
One of the best parts about the BOA Pavilion is the people watching (which is totally due to the bands that we go to see). Lots of tats, black clothes, big hair, and drinkers. The Pavilion actually ran out of Bud Light during the concert. I was glad to be a part of such a powerful group. On top of that, there is not a bad seat in the house and there are TVs near the beer/food lines, so it's hard to miss any of the hair and pyrotechnics. The sound was awesome and the ushers were more than nice. Can't wait to see what next year's concert line up will bring.
Here's a hint: buy your tickets at The Orpheum Box Office. You save on those crazy fees (they were going to be about $10 each ticket in our case). You also get the best pick of the seats as a real person is there to help you out.
Great summertime venue
I've gone there twice, Wilco '07 and My Morning Jacket '08
and I def. wouldn't mind going again.
I have mixed feelings about open air facilities. Kind of makes you wonder why tickets are $50 when you're not paying for air conditioning or anything..
PROS:
Lovely breezes.. especially since this place is by the water
Awesome sound
If you've got a bad seat.. there is room by the side of the right orchestra where people stand/dance. Not a great view but definitely an improvement from the back.
Pretty accessible with the handy dandy silver line or a nice walk to South Station
Cup holders at the seats
CONS:
Waiting for the breezes to hit
Mosquitoes making out with your calves
Bathrooms kind of narsty
$4 waters.. double that for beer
Some folding chairs (would you pay $50 for a folding chair?)
Inconsistent rules about what you can bring (like at the show we went to we weren't searched at all.. other shows you get a full on pat down.. could have saved some money if I brought my own water)
I'm pro small intimate venues, but I think this place would be great for a full out rockin' dance in your seat kind of band. D'ya think if I just hung out by the water I could hear the concert?
I would recommend Bank of America Pavillion even if you don't have a ticket. A suggestion would be to come down to South Boston via the Silverline or walk the Harbor walk from the Aquarium to South Boston. Dinner options include Morton's Steakhouse, The Barking Crab, or the Anthony's Pier 4. A suggestion to listen to the concerts for free which I did just last night for the Keane show, would be the for eating dinner at the LTK - Legal Seafood Test Kitchen . You can sit at one of the outdoor tables and hear the music while you eat. If you don't want to eat there's a nice marble wall you can sit on or can sit in the park nearby - and listen to the music. There's a couple of benches outside Morton's where you can hear, but the best place to hear the music is by the corner of D street and Northern Ave. by LTK (legal Test Kitchen)
Enjoy the free concerts!!!! Sure you can't see anything but its cool to be able to hear the music for free. i could even hear some of what they were saying to the crowd on stage.
This definitely isn't a bad place to see a band that's graduated from small club sized audiences. There's a decent view from just about any seat, and the event staff are always helpful and friendly. I do prefer venues that aren't seated, and it'd be neat if the Pavilion added a pit area or something, but still a neat place to go.
The food is as overpriced as you'd expect at a place where they've got you trapped, but at least there's a nice area to hang out while you're waiting for a band to play - you don't feel like you're confined to a seat, you can watch the sunset or whatever while you're waiting. And I've seen some of the most awesome light shows ever here - which are provided by the bands, of course, but this place just accomodates them wonderfully.
One of my best experiences was definitely when the 50+ guy behind my group at the Raconteurs kept yelling "I LOVE MUSIC!". Wasted? Yes.
This is such a great venue for a concert! It's semi-outdoor so things can take place rain or shine, but I can see how this would be closed in the winter (it must be Arctic-freezing out here next to the water when it's below-zero out!)
The staff are pretty nice - from the ticket people to the security check at the door... which was barely a security check. I stuck out my arm blindly thinking they wanted to scan my bag or something, since I'm so used to that from concert venues, and the guy started joking about how worried he'd be if I had a bar-code imprinted on my arm - he just wanted to scan my ticket to let me in that was all. Doh!
Drinks and things can be a ripoff, but that's expected at a concert venue... $4 for Dasani water and $5 for soda, $8-9 for a beer, but it happens at so many venues that it hardly makes me bat an eyelid anymore. There were all sorts of vendors around though, from aforementioned drinks to crushed ice cocktails even, pizza and croissants, etc. too.
The sound carried out pretty well - for the concert we saw, the opening act didn't fill up the space too well but the main act was great and the sound was fantastic. It must be pretty cool for those walking on the Harbor area nearby and picking up the sounds too ;) And the place is surprisingly bigger than it feels - it gives off an intimate sense but can actually hold a pretty large crowd.
The view is absolutely lovely from the water, and you can walk around before the show starts or between acts (or to take a break if you want) to dance, frolick or just stare moonily at the skyline and open waters if you wish. It's really lovely. And the feeling of live music playing, a festive feeling in the air, gazing out over the water with the breeze ruffling your hair is a pretty amazing one. Even the seats were pretty comfortable, and though our view wasn't as good as we'd hoped, it was still pretty cool. I really loved it and would be thrilled to come back here for another equally fantastic experience.
One word of warning though - since it's outdoors, if you're watching a summer concert here, do not wear perfume! Unless you want to be bitten to death by mozzies, that is. Damn mosquitoes. Guess they needed some concert-going snacks too.
Ahhh, now I see where all hidden charges in my checking account go. The BoA Pavilion is one of the best venues I have been to. The GF bought us tickets to the True Colors Tour and I can't imagine spending 5 hours in another Boston venue and having such a good time.
Before we went we did a little reading on what we could bring. Interestingly each person can bring one clear gallon bag of food with them. So obviously we injected oranges with tequila and camouflaged the boozy fruit by adding 2 bananas and a bag of granola. We figured if our bags were inspected we would just look like lesbians.
And boy was that a good idea. Bravo for them letting you bring your own snacks and drinks which reduces the lines at the booths and the cost if you're thrifty. We got one of the big margaritas to split which absolutely sucked and I'm pretty sure didn't have any booze in it at all. But we busted out the oranges and everything was fine. Plus having a Regina's Pizzeria is probably the best idea they ever could have had.
There are huge paths between the seating which make it easy for the ridiculous amount of people to move from their seats to the food stands and back without a hassle. And if you do get stuck in line while you're getting food or have really crappy seats, you can always stand and watch the concert on the wide screen TVs out back.
What surprised me was the crowd control. There was no stage rushing, body surfing or even anyone standing in the isles. And yet there was no security check, only Human Rights Campaign volunteers giving away free iTunes cards and looking official.
We were half way back from the stage and still had a great view. When the crowd stood up the incline allowed us to see the stage and the video projections even though both of us are on the short side. It even started pouring and thundering at one point and it didn't affect anything!
To the BoA's bastard step child, I give 5 stars. I'd go again in a heartbeat.
Lets just state the BASICS on why if any band you like comes to town and plays this venue, you should be there!
EVERY SINGLE SEAT has a great view
For a "big" venue" it feels very intimate
Great food options (for a concert venue)
Decent Beer selection $7 for a small bud $9 for a large Harpoon (expensive, but cheaper than other large venues)
Gorgeous views of the lights of the city from the water
Great acoustics
SUPER easily accessible by T, or car
(parking ranges from $11-$20 and you never deal with a packed parking lot and line to get out)
Just please please remember to bring a sweater even if its a bit cold. Since its RIGHT on the water, take whatever the temperature is in the city, minus 15. The cold air blows right off the water and can TOTALLY ruin your otherwise great night!
***This is the only place I have EVER seen the main act booed! Death Cab for Cutie tried to tease the audience about green Red Sox hats with shamrocks on them and they legitimately BOOED him! Honestly, it gave me more respect for Death Cab, but it was pretty crazy because I have never seen that happen before!
A really great outdoor venue for shows in Boston. Better than the Hatch Shell in everything except for location. Great lines of sight from anywhere in the pavilion and good sound overall...it gets a bit echo-y on the sides.
One of the best nights of my life was here...Bjork and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs got moved from Suffolk Downs (!!!) to play here. It was wonderful!
The "box" seats around the edges are actually ideal, but they're exposed to the elements. God help you if it's windy out. Note to people with lots of hair: wear a hat or tie it down! Bring a sweater too....the breeze off the ocean can get cold!
Beer is ludicrously expensive, as are most snacks. I'd advise eating before you get here and save your money for a brew or two. Beer and snack selection, however, is excellent.
Parking is convenient at local garages and relatively cheap for most events. Best of all, one doesn't have to deal with the same Tweeter Center style parking nightmares.
Even in the summer you'll catch a nice breeze coming off the water front. So note to thyself, bring a sweater. Underneath the large canopy where performers play you'll find that mass crowds and body heat make for a warmer enclave in the otherwise expansive mass that is the BofA pavilion.
Great place to catch a show though. Tickets are always expensive, audiences always mixed, security is schizophrenic, and food is pricey (to be expected) but the purveyors are normally amiable.
In terms of outdoor venues it's got nothing on Jones Beach. Compared to other local Boston venues it's without the grit, grime, and intimate small club feel, but if you can't make it to the Palladium to see larger acts, it's a good standby.
Still, I'll take the Middle East or the Paradise anyday. Long live the proletariat!
Maybe I've been spoiled by the great places I goto in new york. But the BOA Pavillion is just a very generic ampitheatre. Sure, its got a great location by the water and its really easy to get to via public transportation. And yeah, there's hella parking for those of us who choose to drive. But that's where the positives end for me.
Went to see Fiona Apple and Damien Rice play here a few years ago. Granted, their music is not exactly conducive to a theatre that is outdoors and next to the water. But being that they are really good artists live, you would think that would compensate. Nope, not in the least.
First of all, whoever said that the staff were like the Hell's Angels working the Stones concert at Altamont....is being very nice. I mean, for god's sake, it's a friggin' ampitheatre. Let people take some damn pictures! And if you're going to tell people to stop taking pictures, don't be rude with the damn Boston attitude. The ushers alone just made the whole experience miserable.
Also, the sound was not the greatest either. Even though we were in the middle of the venue, we still had a hard time hearing Damien sing. I guess the people never heard of the volume button, huh?
See, that's why I prefer the Orpheum.
(see my review for Tsongas)
I saw tori amos here, and for some reason it feels like maybe more than once? I dont know. But each time it was a perfect day which made sitting under the tent thing just lovely. I love this place on cool but comfy nights listening to live, amazing music.
It is a little hard to get to, but i think the silver line helps out with that now. I also went to see Dido here, who never showed up, and we werent told until an hour or so in. Lame.
Overall though, i would go here for another concert, but i would not be happy on a hot and humid day.
I saw Sheryl Crow last night at the BofA Pavilion, and she was her usual hot as hell rock-star self. However, James Blunt opened for her, and we tried to show up after he played but we still managed to have to listen to the last few of his songs.
But I digress. The lighting at the pavilion was fun to watch; they've got some pretty cool equipment to play with, at least for Sheryl, and I'm dorky like that.
The sound seemed balanced pretty well for an outdoor venue.
I am confused about their "security" though. Most places check your bags at the door; my purse was left unmolested. When we finally sat down I noticed some guy next to us whip out a huge Ziploc bag full of home-microwaved popcorn. Um, what?
GREAT for people watching. I love watching drunk people "dance" to Sheryl Crow and completely miss.
I've seen Tori Amos here (with Ben Folds) and I went to see Dido but Dido never showed.
This is a great venue for that kind of music. The acoustics are great and if the weather is great it's really the perfect place to see a show. They are covered enough to handle rain (although it's not near enough to the T or parking that you won't get wet when you leave) but you wouldn't want to be here on a really hot summer day.
For the Dido concert, I wonder how long they knew she wasn't coming. They delayed telling folks it was canceled and just said it was delayed for well over an hour (presumably to still make money on beers). I didn't really want to see Dido anyway (I just wanted to hang with the friend that did) so I was gad to get my ticket refunded but still....
I've caught a few shows here and it's a very nice venue.
It would have been perfect if I hadn't sat in some sort of mystery god-knows what! But that's no fault of the venue. Someone was messy.
Great sound, great view, great time.
For an outdoor venue of this size, I think this place does their thing just right - I love that I can walk here, that food variety actually exsits, the beer line never seems long, and the new seats feel tons less cramped.
The acoustics - Meh - gets a little muddy on the sides, but in the middle it's not bad - just make sure you see the right artist here - because those that are better served at a smaller or indoor/theater venue come across a bit hollow. Simple rule, if it's appropriate to sit during the show of a particular artist, this might not be the right place to see them (or some might argue - it might not be neccessary to see them live at all - but maybe that's just me).
tickets tend to be reasonable - and as I said, it's wicked convenient - which isn't always a good thing, as it allows more non-fans to attend. and the thing that sucks about non-fans??? they tend to like to talk about stupid shit mid-show. kinda sucks for those who want to actually experience the performance, and not listen about how hammered you got the night before at Stevie's place (as an example)
Silver line or walk from South Station - leave the car at home - and grab a big beer and enjoy.
For a larger venue in the city, this is the place to be for a warm weather concert. It's on the water (not that you can see the water when you're watching the show but that's about the only gripe I have), it's easily accessible by means of public transportation, and it's surrounded by some decent to upscale eateries.
The venue itself is quite handsome from the outside. The area around it is clean and safe and not as much of a clusterf*ck as other larger venues outside of the city (I hate you Comcast Center). If you only go to a few shows this summer, make sure you try and check this place out. Make an evening of it. Grab a really nice dinner at Morton's or a less expensive one at LTK. Take a stroll. It may sound lame but it's really worth it.
Once in the venue you'll find the typical overpriced food and beverage but as I found out during my solo adventure at a Ryan Adams show, $8 for a Stella tastes a lot better knowing people are paying the same price for Bud Light. And after 4 of them the Pizzeria Regina tastes even better. Oh yeah, the fact they have Stella and Regina there is enough to rejoice.
As for the sound, I've been in the second row and the back of the venue and the sound stays solid no matter where you go. The closer you are, the better it will be obviously but even if you're far back, the venue is intimate enough to catch every note and still feel part of the show. If you have a band that you love that starts to play bigger venues and they get booked here, go! Before they play Comcast the next year, go! Sure it's no club in Cambridge but for an larger sized outdoor venue it's about as good as you're going to get in the state.
I guess my only other gripe would be you can't really tailgate. Oh well. It's the rare combination of a night out on the town and an outdoor concert that you rarely see these days, if at all. Save your tailgating energy for festivals and braving Mansfield for a show you really need to see.
Overall, a great venue that usually has a great lineup every year. Up and coming lesser known acts with good live track records, old standards and acts will a little left in the tank who still put on a good show. Area is great and on a beautiful night the breeze that blows through the tent makes you forget you're in the city.
NOTE: If it's late spring or early fall, wear layers. Bring a blanket. Be prepared to be cold. As enclosed as the tent may look...well that's all I really need to say...it's a tent people. Pretend your camping with thousands of your friends and be prepared.
I am really split about the Bank of America Pavilion. Nestled on the seaport and near the Silver Line, it's an exquisite piece of rock and roll party land. It's also a corporate hell-hole that is diminished by the constant overwhelming realization that yes, you did just pay $10 for that beer.
So, I took an epic sojourn down to the Seaport this past Saturday for a concert-related event. I think I saw Alan Dershowitz while we were in the cab. That isn't really part of the story, but I thought it was kind of cool.
The Pavilion itself is decently spaced: the different booths and food vendors are set up in such a way that you won't be worried about either long lines or trying to maneuver around lots of people with their brewskis. It also kind of resembles the South Shore Music Circus, though significantly larger (but still much smaller than, say, the Comcast Center) and with the sea to your side. The stage is also set up quite well: one can see it from most angles, except for the seaport view. On the plus side, the seaport view is really nice, particularly at sunset.
At the same time, this place emanates the very Clear Channel/Live Nation cesspool of music life where the profit margin has given the world such musical luminaries as Good Charlotte and Britney Spears: a manufactured, corporatized music experience. The Pavilion fits the bill on that end, with its overpriced beer ($7 for a regular sized Bud Light, $9 for the larger one, $10 for Stella/Harpoon on the larger sized) and its product-based booths everywhere (Comcast had a prime place, as did the aforementioned title sponsor, Bank of America).
On one end the corporate part is a bit grating. On the other side, it's a decent venue for music. I go down the middle because the experience was good enough to outshine the former.
What I like about this place is that it's not an outright arena or stadium. It's still within the realm of being a small enough venue that you don't feel like you're sitting in the cheap seats. It's not like sitting in the nosebleed section of a football stadium and the stage is a million miles away. Wherever you're sitting, you're still within range of identifying who is on stage.
Now seriously, who wants to see a show at the Fleet Center.. I mean the TD BankNorth Garden? The Pavilion is intimate and offers great views of the ocean. It is also easy to get to via the Silver Line! And if you're hungry, the place offers Pizzeria Regina and Ben and Jerry's for dessert! By far, my favorite place to catch a concert in or around Boston!
I can't wait to hear who will be at the Pavilion this summer!
Just got back from seeing the Raconteurs at BofAP Hot band. I shoehorned a quick review for the interested. Just scroll down.
As for BofAP, I don't want to derail the bandwagon, but the place was so very...sanitized. Organized. Boring. Probably great for watching Murray Perehia play Debussey on a breezy afternoon with a cheese plate, but to me rock 'n roll is about sweaty crazed women, airborne whiskey droplets, and eventual police intervention.
At BofAP, every ten steps there's a security guard making sure you don't closer than you paid for, and even when the band is ripping, you look around and see a well-behaved crowd arranged in neat little rows, self consciously swaying to the beat. And $10 beers. And they stop serving about an hour before the show ends. Just so you know.
RACONTEURS. **** (four asterisk/stars)
About the best pure rock n' roll band going right now. Shades of Zeppelin, both in the music and in in Brendan Benson's RobertPlantJunior hairdo. Tonight the Rac's were very solid...but you got the sense they were capable of better.
Jack White's voice sounded like the grind that this tour has to be (dozens of dates since April, all over the country). He's a born showman and didn't hold back, but I wouldn't want to be his vocal chords right now.
Benson seems like a good guy; also seems like he's had enough of Jack White. His assiduous avoidance of eye contact with JW made them seem like a married couple on the rocks. And the malaise showed in his music....he's a total pro and did fine, but never CUT LOOSE. Hmmm, there's a backstory here. Anyone know any groupies who wanna dish?
No doubt it was a totally satisfying show (apart from the venue concerns), but I left wondering what city really got the best of the Raconteurs....if it was L.A. I'm pissed.
Sweet venue.
Not a bad seat can be found.
Lots of possibilities if you are one who likes to wander during shows. Pretty decent food choices, beer is $10 but you get a LOT for the $10 (it's like two beers), waiter service for beverages if you sit in the enclosed tent space right outside of the actual pavilion, and even clean and spacious restrooms. Can't beat that.
Unless the band's sound system and sound engineer suck, you'll dig the acoustics.
Tip: dress in layers. Even the hottest evenings will end with a bit of a breeze.....
Nice venue for concerts...on the small side (which I prefer). Easy to find, easy to get to, and if you don't mind looking around you can find free parking on the streets nearby.
I've been to quite a few concerts in my life, from huge arenas featuring 100,000+ spectators to small ones in venues like the Middle East and even a couple of private shows featuring under 25 people. I can tell you one thing. I love the BoA Pavilion.
Despite it's not so convenient location, the place has a very intimate feel with a pretty good sound system and a friendly and tight security. Food at the stands is expensive so I don't recommend trying those but overall I thought that it was awesome. It's covered by outdoors, its by the bay, it's almost magical and way too overlooked by artists in my opionion. I'd much rather see a band there than at the TD Banknorth Garden for example.
That aside I had a great time seeing Aberdeen City opening for one of my all-time favorite bands, Snow Patrol! The seating is first come first serve and on a nice summer day, this is the place to be!
I love this venue. I've seen Radiohead and Phil Lesh play here and both shows were magnificent. I love how open it feels and the location by the water, the easy public transportation... it's great.
Note to Comcast Center/Tweeter Center people - this is how it's supposed to be done.
"Phenomenal [concert] powers! Itty bitty [seating] space!"
The Powers:
Amazing acoustics, beautiful lighting, large video projections on either side of the stage...I could go on and on. It truly is a wonderful outdoor venue. It's such a shame that the only space you can really appreciate that this venue is on the water is in the VIP section. Yes, the seats are plastic folding seats...but guess what, this isn't a year round venue. And at least chairs are provided unlike a lot of other venues in town. Need to go to the bathroom?? You'd be hard pressed to have to wait in line, even in the women's room. There are sooooo many stalls! Good work, BoA Pavilion!
The Seating:
It's so small. I don't think there's a bad seat...and even if there are a few less desirable places to sit, they're not nearly as bad as some seats elsewhere.
...Wait, it has a seating capacity of 5,000? For serious?? Because of the layout and probably some other design techniques I didn't bother to pay attention to (for once), they can afford to book slightly larger names without having a nose-bleed section. I much, much, much prefer this place to the TD Bank North Garden. And what's more? The prices aren't ridiculous.
This really is one of my favorite summer venues in Boston.
This is my favorite place to go for a summer show, and here are my reasons why:
+The seating is good and angled and there's not a truly bad seat in the house.
+It's all covered and I've seen once of the most beautiful shows when it was raining like hell all night (Elvis Costello and Allen Troussiant).
+I won box seats by putting my name in a drawing last year, and we ended up having VIP seat roped off for The Stokes and Wolfmother.
+Good drinks/food options.
+It's easy to get to, via MBTA, foot, or car.
+YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE TO SEE AN AMAZING OUTDOOR SHOW! I've driven and been stuck in rush hour traffic to get the other venues, and none of them compare to good old Harbor Lights.
It's almost the time of the year for good shows to come rolling in, and I am crossing my fingers some of my favorites play here.
Iiii aamm am am goo inng inng tooo givevvve itt tt-t-t threeee sttttaaarrzzzz assss assss itttttt getttssss reaaallllyyyy chilly y y ly ly sommmmm e e nighhtttzzz.
Or else, I would give 5 for the ocean view, and the harbor and 4 overall. But 3 stars to attract your attention : especially in the fall, be careful what you wear at night.
Decent acoustics. Not too small. No bad seats. Sometimes you can just go to the seats in the back, put your feet up and enjoy the show. I love walking around the pavilion at times. It feels free. Even when walking around, I can follow the stage via the large screens on the sides. A definite fresh breath from all indoor concerts.
