Mesa Amphitheatre

Elite '08

18

40

Stephanie S.

Scottsdale, AZ

Mesa Amphitheatre is easily my favorite concert venue in the Phoenix area.  You can see and hear from anywhere in the place, and the grassy risers were such a good idea.  The sound was excellent for the two shows I've been to there.  Really just an overall nice, peaceful place to see a show and enjoy the Arizona weather.  Parking isn't too bad and neither are the lines to get in where they check your bags.  To top it all of, getting out of there was a breeze both times I was there.

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Elite '08

54

210

Max A.

Scottsdale, AZ

While it's not my favorite place, I think this is a good venue. It's the spot of my very first big concert (New Order 1989). Since then, I've seen some fantastic shows here - Beastie Boys, Circle Jerks, Violent Femmes, REM, etc... I've even been back stage here hanging out with some of the bands.

I have good memories here, so I have no reason to fault it. The parking, the ants, the vendors, the security... I don't remember any of that. I just remember good times... I just remember the music. That's the way it should be. I do remember that they have good sound and the grounds are typically kept fairly nice.

The last time I was there was 5 to 8 years ago, so perhaps things have changed. I imagine it's pretty much the same.

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Elite '08

96

320

Alicia B.

Phoenix, AZ

I'm taking back a single star for a couple reasons:

*A 20oz bottle of water will cost ya $3.50.

If they're going to have shows in the summer, they shouldn't rip people off. National music festivals, like Lollapalooza and ACL, charge only $2.

*Crappy beer selection.

Ok, so if you're gonna drink, you might as well brace yourself to swallow swill. Best option they got, which can potentially hit the spot, is Amberbock.

Here are a few tips for ya:
*Freeze a bottle of water for at least 6 hours. Pull it out an hour before the show and it should last ya all night, since it melts slowly.
*Wear as little as possible. Think shorts, tanks, flip flops.
*Bring cash. They have an ATM inside, but the lines seem to be longer for the cash-machine than the beer. Must be the tweeners looking to buy their concert tee.
*Stock up on albuterol. If you have smoke allergies or asthma, be careful where you sit. Everyone here lights up.

In closing, Mesa Amp still gets props for bringing in Rogue Wave and Death Cab for Cutie.

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Elite '08

45

216

Amanda B.

Peoria, AZ

I thought I had written this tangent months ago.  Why not fix that while the most recent frustration is fresh?

I hate Mesa Amphitheater.

There.  I said it.  I hate it.  Hatehatehate.  I hate being screamed at by security as I walk to the front.  I far prefer Marquee's approach to the angry, screaming drill sergeant style security people at Mesa Amphitheater who must enjoy kicking puppies during the daytime to amp themselves up for their patrons.  I go to various venues across the valley on a fairly consistent basis, and this is the only one that manages to make me feel as though I'm guilty of something when I'm simply trying to walk toward the security gate.

Phoenix gets a bit hot in the summertime.  The water is extremely overpriced and the drinking fountains only work half the time. They use Ticketmaster. The grass makes me itch.  This place turns me into an angry grump.

Most spots in the amphitheater provide a great view of the stage, it's easy to get close, and parking is rarely a hassle.  That's the best I have to say.

Every few years a show I absolutely cannot pass up comes to Mesa Amphitheater and I face the great debate.  It has to be someone special, though, and I give in.  It's an odd schism; I stand there entranced by the music despite all of my irritation, thinking "I've never wanted such an AWESOME show to END NOW so I can LEAVE this place, but please don't stop playing, please don't stop".

My final complaint:  What kind of concert venue shuts down at 10:00pm?

It's lousy to leave a concert and have the "OH MY GOD THAT WAS THE GREATEST SHOW EVAR" conversation supplimented with "OH MY GOD I HATE THAT PLACE I'M NEVER GOING BACK AGAIN."

It always takes a couple of years, but I'll be back.  Somehow I can't seem to stay away.

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65

242

Eric P.

Austin, TX

Heaven forbid that any act I'm into is seeking a show palace out in Phoenix's paved over backyard, Mesa, Arizona

Short of a Smiths, one-show-only reunion, I will never venture here just to park my happy ass 3 miles from the venue, plant my ass in an ocean of unenthusiastic knuckleheads who insist on sitting on their ledge in lieu of standing, and praying for a geyser of alcohol to emerge from Mesa's rancid underground so that I may indulge in a beverage past 9 o'clock.

No proper show should EVEN START by 10pm, much MUCH less end by that time.  WTF?  How in the world did this venue even get approved?  This is like getting a chance to party on the tour bus with Van fucking Halen, only they decided to reunite with Gary Cherone as their frontman and they all were experimenting with homosexuality that week and drank Mr Pibb instead of Maker's Mark.  A freaking nightmare this place!

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Elite '08

25

62

Micah D.

Tempe, AZ

This is not my favorite venue by a long stretch of the imagination.  Don't go to a summer show.  Just don't.  It's too hot to be alive when you're just sitting around with your friends bitching about how hot it is much less when you're trying to keep an eyes on the band you came to see while throwing elbows and boots at those who seek to dethrone you from your coveted postion in the general seating area.

Now imagine yourself three rows back with Paul Bunyan reincarnated as a sweaty frat boy assaulting you with his enthusiastic howling inspired by seven dollar domestic beer in a plastic cup while simulaneously grinding his sweaty junk into your ass cheek every time the crowd surges forward.  The two high school girls in front of you turn around like you're the complete douchebag who's ruining their show instead of Paul Bunyan and his sweaty onions.  It's also a hundred and fifteen fucking degrees.

On second thought, go to a summer show.  On the bright side you will no longer fear hell.

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7

26

Doug R.

Tempe, AZ

This venue is nice when its the time of year that its not too hot to be hanging out outside. It has two major drawbacks though, they hire some of the worst security in the valley and it has a city enforced curfew of 10PM, all shows must be over and clearing out by that time.

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Elite '08

106

405

sarah k.

Phoenix, AZ

This is one of my favorite music venues in the Valley.  It's an outdoor grass venue that is big enough to get good bands but small enough to feel intimate.  It's all open so you can get right up there next to the stage.  I saw Modest Mouse here last year and am looking forward to seeing Death Cab for Cutie this December.  Keep your eye on the concert schedule.

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