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Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Music Venues [Edit]
3801 Rock Quarry RdRaleigh, NC 27610
(919) 831-6400
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
17 reviews in English
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Review from Kuanyu C.
I have been to this Time Warner Cable venue for various concerts, most recently Def Leppard and Journey. There are a few things I like and dislike of this place:
I like the fact -
1) they can accommodate tremendously large crowd of attendants, mostly because the vast lawn section just outside the amphitheater tent;
2) security is neither lax nor strict, since I clearly got the notice that "professional camera" was not allowed but they did let me brought in my T3i with auto-focus lens kit, but when you think about it what if someone had snuck concealed firearms? would they be able to catch that?
3) they provide pre- and post-event entertainment under the side tent.
I dislike the fact -
1) a can of light beer cost $11. Woah! I have heard of price gouging before, but this is daylight robbery!
2) absolutely no security/event staff when it comes to crowd control; I have seen drunk folks at the end of a night almost got trampled while leaving the amphitheater.
Overall it is a very decent venue. I would say be prepared for the rather mixed crowd, enjoy the tailgating in the vast parking lot, don't huff and puff if you came here late and have to trek a mile to get to the event from satellite parking lot, and most of all, enjoy your time with whatever events you choose to attend.Listed in: Show and Yelp
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Review from Andrew W.
7/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amphitheatres are a necessary evil for music. Walnut Creek is a pretty standard amphitheatre experience: mediocre sound, good lighting, a large grass area and the most expensive light beers in the area.
I saw Lil' Wayne/Rick Ross/Keri Hilson/Far East Movement here mostly because there was a Groupon and I thought it would be funny/interesting. After tailgating in the parking lot, we heard Far East Movement (FM) starting up so we made the long walk to the gate. I've never really gone to a mainstream rap concert ("rap show" doesn't sound right for some reason) before, but I was totally violated in the security line. I've gone through many security lines before, but apparently Walnut Creek security is the real deal. By the time we got through security, FM was done. They did three songs. That's all they really have anyway.
We had seats, but I actually probably prefer hanging out on the lawn. It's far more interesting on the lawn. On the plus side, the seats do have proper legroom and it's nice to have them so you don't have to stand for 3 hours.
Walnut Creek's curfew is 11pm, so plan on staying till then. But feel free to leave early if you managed to go to a terrible show, which (looking at the Walnut Creek schedule) is a good possibility. -
Review from Denise B.
Raleigh, NC
9/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Good place for concerts... but the variety of beer is challenging. You can find one beer at the front and it won't be available anywhere else.
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Review from Michael E.
Raleigh, NC
7/18/2010
Brit and I and a couple friends came out here to watch the Train / John Mayer show.
Here's a few point of note for people planning to use the rear VIP gate. The gate doesn't open until 1800 (6:00pm), so if you have VIP tent access but lawn seats, your better bet is to enter through the main gates and then score your bracelets for the tent on the interior VIP entrance gate.
However, if your tickets are being held at the VIP gate you're subject to sit and wait. The staff was pretty cordial (but persistently checked) about letting us park in the VIP parking lot waiting on our parking pass and tickets.
Once inside be prepared to spend some coin. 3 Miller Lite 24 oz tall boys and a double stoli and diet ran almost 50, not including tip. A pretzel is 5.00, and an 8" Jersey Mike sub is 7.50.
I think the big question is what is the true future of TWC pavilion. With competition from downtown Raleigh, the RBC center and Koka Booth Ampitheater. While the pavilion can seat many thousands of people spread between the lawn and the true pavilion seats, how many acts are out there that will fill this place to keep it financially viable.
It's going to be an interesting few years to see what more competition in the music venue department will meet to price points and service.
The staff at TWC Pavilion are more than accommodating and helpful. -
Review from Kianna M.
Dallas, TX
6/15/2008
This is the first place I saw Janet Jackson live. She is an superb performer-- the costumes, dancing and singing were phenomenal. Just as the name says of the place, it is an amphitheatre-- hence it is outdoors. I didn't have any issue with this, I had a blast!
I also recently saw R.E.M. there, they were phenomenal! The graphical display was off the chain, the music and singing was top of the line. I actually met two of the band members the day before the show in Chapel Hill, looking for places to eat. Did I help the hungry
drummer and guitarist? You better believe it! They actually offered me tickets to come out and see the show, that was sweet.
There is plenty of parking, the staff was cordial and professional. There are also drink and food at the outside vendor there. You'll have fun, just like I did! -
Review from Caroline R.
Durham, NC
8/30/2010
It's just what you'd expect a big concert venue to be (seating capacity is about 6800 in seats, and another 13,500 or so on the lawn). It's kept reasonably safe and clean. Lawn seating is nice even if the band looks like ants on the stage; the sound is still great and there are screens so you can see something. Bring a blanket; don't bother with chairs unless you really need to. You're not allowed to bring chairs higher than 9 inches off the ground.
They gouge the heck out of you in food and drink prices, since you're not allowed to bring in your own (other than a single sealed bottle of water per person). One beer is $10-12, a margarita with an imperceptible amount of rum is $12 (or $15 for a souvenir plastic cup), a soda is $6, and a bottle of water is $4.50. (Yet, somehow, people still manage to get falling-down drunk on the lawn. Be prepared to deal with loud, obnoxious drunks.)
You're allowed to tailgate in the parking lot (no grills, no alcohol). I'd definitely recommend eating before you go inside, whether you tailgate or just stop for a sandwich on the way.
Your bags and pockets will be searched, so don't try to sneak anything in. The ban on weapons extends to small wallet chains. If you have anything not allowed in, it will be held for you at Guest Services and you can pick it up after the show.
Parking is ample and reasonably well run, which is good because there's no public transit out to this venue. Parking is free (well, the cost is built into your ticket). There's usually a traffic jam to get out after the show, so leave early or be prepared to sit in traffic for a while.
Ticket prices, of course, are spiraling into the stratosphere with added "service fees" for anything and everything. Lawn seats for most shows will run you $50, plus convenience fees, processing fees, and so on. Even buying at the box office gets you slapped with a $6 service fee -- for what, I don't know. However, at some shows now, official ticket sellers (not scalpers) are circulating, selling tickets to selected shows for about half-price, with no added fees. If you can score one of these deals, it's worth it. Otherwise, you have to really want to see a band.
Kids under 2, who can sit in their parents' laps, are admitted without a ticket. There is a no-smoking, no-drinking family seating area.
Basically, if you want to go to a huge concert, this is a decent place to do it. You'll have to deal with high ticket prices, crowds, theme-park concession prices -- but those are facts of life at any big venue. At least this one is reasonably safe, clean, and comfortable. -
Review from Emily P.
Raleigh, NC
10/22/2008
Walnut Creek is the HUGE pavilion amphitheater in Raleigh. This is where all the big concerts are as well as some festivals during the summer.
My thoughts on the place are pretty mixed. The staff here has always been pleasant to me, there are a variety of food options available, the shows are always good, and there's ample parking for everyone who comes to visit.
My biggest complaint however is how absolutely expensive the place is. Parking is free (but that's because they charge you for it when you buy your ticket) but a single beer will cost you $11 inside. $11! Ticket prices have progressively gone up over the past few years and now a single lawn seat (which may mean you're so far away you can' even see the band) can run close to $50 a piece.
I wouldn't definitely recommend spending the extra few dollars to get covered patio seating for any show you're going to, that way you can see the band, and if it rains you don't miss out on the concert like the rest of the lawn. -
Review from William J.
Chapel Hill, NC
8/5/2008
I have been here twice, both times to see Counting Crows (they are amazing and I will fight you if you say different).
As a venue it's very quality, and very different from most places you'll go. They really work hard to cultivate a picnic-type atmosphere, not all that dissimilar from a good baseball park. The space seats thousands of people, especially once you take into account the massive lawn space at the back (recommended for fair weather nights, it's very relaxing).
All of the requisite refreshments and marketing shtick are present, although selection of beers and things is low.
Be prepared to wade through massive amounts of lines... The last time i went here I was stuck waiting in line for more than 45 minutes, causing me to miss the opening act. Ouchie. -
Review from Mike L.
Fuquay-Varina, NC
5/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great outdoor location for a concert. I usually purchase lawn seat and have never had an issue seeing the stage or hearing the music.
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Review from Toni A.
Cary, NC
2/12/2011
If you want to go see a great lineup of artists perform at a reasonable price, I would highly recommend Walnut Creek! Here are some pointers for those visiting the venue for the first time: Come early to get a decent parking spot [better yet, pay for the parking when you purchase your tickets online or by via phone] and prepare for a hike to get into the venue. If you pay for lawn tickets, bring a friend. People get in party mode on the lawn and can easily take your spot. If you want to see the artist upfront, its' best to get seated in the front row. The disadvantage is security is very strict, constantly monitoring those on the front row and those behind it. After the fifth row, its' hard to see the stage. You cannot bring your own water or snacks. Some of the disadvantages to this venue: They don't keep it maintained. The tvs [that show the artist] are blurry and make it hard to see the artist and the speakers have never been upgraded. This makes the music sound distorted sometimes.
Otherwise, have a picnic and prepare for a killer show! Some of my fav shows performed there: Sheryl Crow, Coldplay, Tori Amos and Third Eye Blind. -
Review from Adrienne E.
Chapel Hill, NC
9/20/2008
This is a great outdoor venue, but the name changes so much that it's nearly impossible to keep up. It's Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion right now, but in the past it's also been Alltel Pavilion, Hardees Walnut Creek, and just plain Walnut Creek Amphitheatre. It's owned by Live Nation, so expect higher ticket prices and the typical corporate concert promotions.
On the plus side, this place does attract some good acts, and the size makes it possible for them to put on some really technically impressive shows. I saw the Allman Brothers there last August and had a great time. There are 7,000 seats, but the lawn can accomodate another 13,000 people. You can bring in blankets, small lawn chairs, snacks (as long as they're in a clear plastic bag) and sealed bottled water, which is great because the food and drinks are unsurprisingly expensive. -
Review from Ron W.
6/9/2009 3 photos
I got to visit the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion last night and wow, what a great evening! No Doubt played an energetic and wonderful set but that's not what I'm here to review, now what about the TWC Pavilion itself? It's a very cool venue, a couple of thousand seats with cover but the real action is on the lawn! Get there early, grab a spot of grass near the front and you've saved yourself $40 or more. And if you're late, who cares? You're underneath the stars and the acoustics are great! Can't think of a much better way to catch some great music outdoors.
TWC Pavilion's facilities are decent, parking is relatively easy (and free) but we had to haul our butts nearly a half mile to get inside! Not too bad after having a couple of beers in the parking lot. Security was pretty easy and digicams with fixed lens are allowed. Inside you've got some drink and food options but watch out on the prices, it was $11 for a Coors Light tall boy! Bathrooms are relatively easy to get into if you're a guy, but the women are in for a long wait. So the men's bathrooms became coed over time.
So there you go, the TWC Music Pavilion is certainly a fantastic option for large musical acts in the Raleigh area but with the usual big venue problems: high drink prices, challenging parking and crowded bathrooms. But you know what, it's worth it if you're not in a hurry and just want to enjoy some great music outdoors!Listed in: Music to my Ears...
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Review from Ben M.
Durham, NC
1/23/2009
There's something wonderful about a concert out on the hill. Lying on a blanket, listening to the band you came to hear, and hoping that the guy dancing around doesn't spill his over-priced beer on you or step on your face. Well, it's much better than that. If they're a major act and they're lowering themselves to play in a smaller metro area, they've stopped at Walnut Creek (named for a myriad of sponsors over the years).
On the rare occasion that I've decided that it's worth the money, the seated section is really great as well. For the most part, though, there's nothing short of band-worship that should pull you out of the cheaper lawn seats, where the more interesting fans end up anyway. If there's rain in the forecast, bring a change of clothes and some towels to lay over your car seats. Then go nuts in the rain and the mud and the awesome. It's all very rock and roll, isn't it? -
Review from Eric M.
Raleigh, NC
8/9/2008
This is pretty much the only game in town if you're going to see a big time band. The Pavilion has the market on lock and they know it, so they're pretty much free to do what the want. Two years ago you used to be able go here and pay money to park on a per car basis, now they add $5 onto every ticket that they sell for parking (ouch!).
They actually fleece you every chance they get. Beers are $7, tickets are through the roof (depending on which band you see, of course). That being said, it's not a bad place to see a band. Sound is always great, and there are plenty of screens for the lawn to see all the action on stage. I've never left here feeling bad about a concert, but as I've gotten a bit older I've found it's always worth it to spring for reserved seating if you're really serious about enjoying your show.
Sure: in a perfect world we could have a perfect venue for large bands to play where we could get cheap beer and affordable parking, but in reality we have the Pavilion. It's expensive, and that's frustrating sometimes, but so is life. -
Review from LTine B.
Virginia Beach, VA
10/5/2010
We came here with a group of 20 for the ZZ Top/Tom Petty concert and couldn't have had more fun.
The trick is to tailgate beforehand! We got there as soon as the lot opened set up our tables, grill, chairs, bags game (yes, we took up a lot of room) and let the party begin. Everyone is so relaxed an happy to be there that we made many fellow tailgating friends who even partook in our party games of flippy cup, ring twister and bags.
The music began so we all made our way toward the amphitheatre. Security was pretty strict, even made us shake out our blankets to make sure we weren't bringing in any alcohol.
Upon entrance, I was shocked at how huge the actual place was! We had lawn seats so we had to squeeze in between other blankets and chairs, but we made it work!
Only downfall is if you're sitting in the lawn seats, you have to walk a distance to the bathroom. And the beers are ridiculously expensive, but I guess that's just part of the concert experience! -
Review from Terry W.
Apex, NC
8/22/2010 4 photos
The first concert I went to here was Dave Mathews. Wow ! What a Great venue. Everything was right there. Bathrooms were located all over. It has it all you need to bring nothing but allot of MONEY. We also went to see Nickelback , Hinder, and a few others. Great Place. If you have never been there , You gotta GO !
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Review from Brad G.
Durham, NC
11/27/2008
The Venue formerly known as Walnut Creek...is a pretty good place to see a show if you've got a few friends and quite a few dollars to spend. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely deals to be had: unless your show is one of the most popular or nearly sold out, you'll always be able to find someone outside the venue with tickets for less than what the box office is charging. Earlier this year, I saw Maroon 5 and the Counting Crows with a friend for a grand total of $26 for both tickets - they were supposed to be over $30 each.
As for food and drinks, only minimal relief can be found. You are allowed to bring in sealed bottled water (only one bottle, I believe) and, according to another reviewer, snacks in a clear container. If you don't remember to bring these or if, like most people, you need more than one bottle of water and a light snack, you'll be paying for it pretty dearly. Food, sodas, and beers will cost you anywhere from $4 for a soft pretzel to $5 for a large soda to $11 for a tall (canned) beer.
Personally, I almost always sit on the lawn, as I just have more fun there. Especially if you have a group of friends, I would highly recommend the Pavilion's grassy knoll - the tickets are cheaper and you're almost assured to make some new friends during the show.
