Blossom Music Center

As someone who attends a lot of concerts I'm glad that they mostly play in Cleveland and Akron. It's not the drive from Cleveland I mind, I actually like the occasional trip to Musica in Akron. Before I start, Blossom is a beautiful venue and feels really in tune with nature once you get past the parking area. I saw my first concert here and will always cherish that experience.

But that's where the positives end for me. The admission prices are higher than any venue in the area - including some shows at The Q. Live Nation / Ticketmaster own this place and take full advantage of that when selling you tickets. After that investment the beer prices are, again, higher than everywhere else.

After the concert is over you sit in traffic that rivals rush hour in Los Angeles or Atlanta. The concert empties onto a two lane road in the middle of nothing, you will spend a good chunk of time in one place as the traffic barely moves. If you go to Warped Tour here (I miss it being in Downtown Cleveland) you will see the above times ten.

Maybe it's because I'm a city guy but I just don't see the appeal of driving all the way down here to see a concert. I'd much rather see it at The Q where I can eat and drink then walk over.

I have been here several times for shows.
A lot of factors determine whether a venue is good or not.
As far as this outdoor amphitheater goes, it's fine.
Neither good nor bad. Just ok.

Had such an awesome time at the Blossom Music Center this past weekend! We went to see the Cleveland Orchestra perform The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and enjoyed every minute of it. The music and the orchestra were amazing but I also have to give props to the Center itself.

We purchased a parking pass ahead of time and both parking and exiting were super easy. All of the staff were helpful and knowledgeable, clearly eager to ensure that everyone enjoyed themselves. They had a lot of great food and beverage vendors and the whole area was well-maintained. The grounds are beautiful.

I can't wait to go back to see another performance!

I have never been to this facility and had my doubts based on the photos. We were 2.4 miles away and was in a stand alone line for a good 45 minutes. When we arrived we parked immediately.

What was absurd was the walk. It's literally a mile walk into the facility. It's not a good walk either. It's a rough terrain. I'd recommend wearing tennis shoes. I wore flip flops and damn that was dumb as shit.

We arrived and damn lots of people. You can't see anything unless you are center of the stage. Sides are blocking from all angles and terrible views. Unless you walk near the front and they do have a standing location which isn't bad.

Let's talk about the service. We have Verizon and all that I received is SOS. They need to have better service in the area. How in the hell can you do a Uber or Lyft with 0 service.

The food and Drink location is everywhere but same ole drinks at any concert.

. Sat through a thunderstorm and some rain. The lawn was a wet muddy mess. I had to park what seemed like a mile away. Had to walk through grassy area and large gravel paths. Getting out of there was an absolute disaster to an hour to get out. But for the show it's self the Cure were fantastic the sound was good. Thankful for that. Had no interaction with any ushers because I didn't see any. Took a long time to get in extreme security. Taking this venue off my list of places to go back to.

I'm not going to put the entire blame on Live Nation, as this venue was probably horrible even before. I likely won't bring much new to the reviews, but driving 2 hours to get here I expected better. Prices are ridiculous but on par with most venues - I didn't have anything to eat to provide feedback on.

If the show I went to wasn't oversold, I don't know what qualifies. The walk to the grass parking lots quite frankly, is not safe. You have decent odds of rolling your ankle, slipping off a hillside or being clipped by a rearview mirror.

I would recommend coming to a symphony show or any event that isn't sold out. I was luckily on the pavilion seating as the sound in the lawn seemed horrible.

I cannot believe that I never did a review for Blossom Music Center; I have been attending concerts both Rock and Classic at Blossom for at least 50 years. So glad that with the pandemic under control we can once again enjoy this phenomenal venue. Owned by the Cleveland Orchestra Blossom is a wonderful place with a pavilion that seats about 6000, and then the lawn which can accommodate about another 15,000. Nestled in the middle of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the natural setting is bucolic, the sound is wonderful and since the lawn is shaped into a large semicircle hillside it allows nice, although distant views from almost everywhere.

The concert experience will be different depending on which concert you are going to. The classic concerts are much more relaxed and allow you to bring full picnics including food, beverages and wine. For the Rock, Country and other Popular Concerts you are limited to a clear gallon bag of food and a bottle of water, any bags you bring must be clear and there is a security check before the entrance area. In either case Blossom provides a beautiful setting in the woods, there are extensive concession, although they are a bit pricey.

The concert schedules are extensive and varied. The orchestra does a nice mix of classic music and special events such as the orchestra playing movie soundtracks with the movies screened, Broadway and Pop concerts, all of which are great date or family events. The Rock, Country and Popular concerts will run a wide mix of styles usually featuring some of the biggest and hottest concert tours of the summer. The large stage has a couple of large video screens on either side that provide a better view including to those on the lawn.

Sitting in the pavilion gives you a great view of the stage, wonderful sound, comfortable seats and protection from the weather. Seating on the lawn is more affordable and seating is pick your own spot with the vast majority of people on blankets or in low folding seats. There is a vendor where you can rent blankets or chairs or you can bring your own. I prefer the low chair, since it is more comfortable and gives you a better view.

About the only downside of Blossom is the parking; getting in and out can be difficult and time consuming, although it has improved significantly over the years. General parking is free, there is paid in close parking available which makes for a better experience if you feel like paying extra. One workaround is if you ride a motorcycle you will be directed all the way around the parking and end up parking very close in. Depending on where you park you can have a bit of a walk. Also you need to be able to find your vehicle after the show; I would suggest using the GPS on your phone to mark the location where you parked, it will look different after dark.

Over the last couple of years I have seen The Who, Sammy Hagar and the Doobie Brothers at Blossom and had a great time. I would highly recommend seeing any concert that interests you out at Blossom. If sitting on the lawn check the weather forecast and be prepared if there is a possibility of rain.

My son bought tickets for me for Mother's Day to see Loverboy, REO Speed wagon and Styx.

We arrived early. The weather was grey, a bit of thunder. A rain delay, but they assured us the concert would go on. We sat in our car.

There was a golf cart of two people going up and down the aisle. They advised at 6:40 the gates would open at 7 ( versus 6:45).

We grabbed our rain gear and seats and started toward the gate. The line was long. People went around on the parking lot side. Was tough to know where to go. It took over an hour to get in. Causing us to miss the first act.

We'd brought a water a piece in a see through plastic bag. No purse or other bag. We had a tarp to put on the ground for our seats to be on. They said no blue tarps and kept it. There was nothing on the website or around the bag policy to advise no tarp.

Once in, we did see people with navy tarps. Only light blue tarps not allowed perhaps.

The music was awesome.

The Venue even in the rain was just as I remembered years ago!

Be aware no tarps and the ridiculous wait after a 15 minute weather delay.

A new update from the employee himself now that the new season is here.

Here at Blossom 90% of the shows will have over 10,000 guests. 20,000+ for sold out nights. That means a lot of cars and a lot of handicapped folks. So please, If you have a disability, get here early and leave early. Then you will have no issues with parking or exit. Lots fill very fast and it's not our fault the 200 handicap spots are full when you get here an hour before showtime. Onto the parking lot, It's not easy to move 20k people, so don't take it out on the staff trying their hardest to get you out.

Yes food is expensive, eat before you come in. Drinks are expensive, so enjoy yourself before you come in just not enough that you can't walk straight. When coming in, read the rules on what to bring or you'll be hiking back out to your car.

It's a great venue when you're here to enjoy your time, but if you're a person that loves to complain when you can't leave within 30minutes, head somewhere else for the night.

Thank you, see you next season : )

I've always wanted to go to Blossom since I grew up in Berea in the 70's, but I'm sad to report that I was disappointed. Visually the center is beautiful, with the richly designed and constructed theater, but a few points cut my desired expectations down to size.

Food and drink prices fell into the realm of Price Gouging--- to the point of actual definition: prices at a level much higher than is considered reasonable or fair.

Sound design: I considered the volume to be excessively high, to the point where it could be damaging to ANYONE'S hearing.

The high and mid level frequencies were mixed well---but, I was very surprised to find the bass frequencies muddy: too much going on in the 200-400 hz frequency range - resulting in a loss of low-end definition.

On a positive note the video quality and coverage was close to excellent. But a lemon-aid at $10.00 ....come on people?

If I didn't know better I would have thought Blossom had never dealt with a concert before. That is how bad things were.

No traffic control so you will sit in traffic for an hour trying to get to the venue. So even if you think you left early enough, you didn't. Employees don't seem to know what they are doing or don't care and are just doing whatever. I'm surprised people don't get run over all the time with the lack of walking paths for parking to gate.

Inside the venue the bathrooms don't work half the time. There isn't clear signage on where you are going. It is just a mess.

I would highly recommend going to a different venue if it is an option for you.