America's Best Outdoor Venues

[fikus222]

So I found this article from 2004 that lists America's top 10 outdoor venues:

http://www.glidemagazine.com/article...of-the-us.html

The ranking:

1. The Gorge
George, Washington
Capacity - 20,000

2. Red Rocks Ampitheatre
Morrison, Colorado
Capacity – 9,240

3. Verizon Wireless Music Center
Noblesville, Indiana
Capacity - 18,244

4. Shoreline Ampitheatre
Mountain View, California
Capacity – 22,000

5. Alpine Valley Music Theatre
East Troy, Wisconsin
Capacity – 35,000

6. Greek Theater
Berkeley, California
Capacity – 8,000

7. The Backyard
Austin, Texas
Capacity – 5,000

8. Coors Ampitheatre
Chula Vista, California
Capacity - 20,000

9. Starlight Theatre
Kansas City, Missouri
Capacity – 7,900

10. Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Springs, New York
Capacity – 20,000


Do we agree with this assessment ? If not, which should be added or taken off of this list ?

I have been to 5 of these and have mixed feelings of this assessment.

[braundiggity]

Shoreline does NOT belong on that list.

Wolf Trap in DC might, though

[algunz]

Where's The Bowl?

[fikus222]

Shoreline does NOT belong on that list.

Wolf Trap in DC might, though

The Shoreline has been renovated in recent years. They have upgraded the sound system and have placed LCD screens in the Lawn area.

I have a love/hate relationship w/ the Shoreline, its great in the 100 level and parts of the 200 level seats, but does that really earn it a no. 4 spot ? Probably not.

[fasttrack]

i saw cyndi lauper in las vegas a couple years ago at the mandalay bay beach. it was awesome watching a show while standing in knee high water.

[fikus222]

Where's The Bowl?

Yeah I know, is it really that good ?

[fikus222]

i saw cyndi lauper in las vegas a couple years ago at the mandalay bay beach. it was awesome watching a show while standing in knee high water.

That's weird and definitely unique.

[ThomThom]

Shoreline sucks ass.

[tubescape]

Santa Barbara Bowl should be on that list. The Greek in LA is pretty sweet too.

[algunz]

Yeah I know, is it really that good ?

I think The Hollywood Bowl is fantastic, and it's in the heart of an urban area. It seems easy to make a nice outdoor venue when you are in the middle of nowhere.



The Greek Theater in LA would be nice, but the parking makes that place suck serious balls.

[ThomThom]

Santa Barbara Bowl should be on that list. The Greek in LA is pretty sweet too.

They should both be on that list, including The Bowl.

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

WTF? Red Rocks at #2?

[GnarVee]

The Berkeley Greek > Shoreline

[Pixiessp]

Santa Barbara Bowl should be on that list. The Greek in LA is pretty sweet too.

SB bowl is one of the most beautiful venues for a show.
If you've been there you know what I mean.

[chiapet]

Yea, if Shoreline is #4, then that is a sad commentary on outdoor venues in the US. I don't *hate* Shoreline, but it's not that good, and I've been to far better outdoor venues in the midwest (but that goes back to the comment "if you're in the middle of nowhere"). I'd put the Greek in Berkeley above Shoreline, and that's not saying that much.

[samiksha]

Rush said that the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan is their favorite venue in the U.S. so it deserves a spot.

[Cammo]

Red Rocks is bad ass!

[bmack86]

The Hollywood Bowl in2004 wasn't as good as the Hollywood bowl now, with all the renovation they've done recently.

[C DUB YA]

Shoreline off the list. Blossom on.

Take off Verizon in Indiana as well - sucky.

[suprefan]

Dude, shoreline? Who votes for this stuff? Hollywood Bowl denied? Anyone notice they are all pretty much Live Nation venues? Hmmmmmmm. How could SB not be on there either its tiny as hell and has a great view from the top. I have been to 3 on the list, including the # 1, Ill take care of Coors this summer though.

[bballarl]

Shoreline does not belong. But the Greek in Berkeley rules.

[wmgaretjax]

The Greek, Gorge, and Red Rocks are all fantastic.

[woogie846]

Nothing can top the Hollywood Bowl. It's easy in the likes of transportation, you can bring your own food into the venue, it's beautiful, the sound is great, and for the most part, the Bowl is really consistent with booking good acts.

[ThomThom]

I think The Greek in Berkeley is the best outdoor venue in California.

[superdeluxe]

I have no problems with the Gorge being #1.

[fikus222]

Their capacity numbers are off too, when I saw Phish at Alpine Meadows there were 70k there. Plus I couldn't see the stage from the lawn, its so huge that there is enough room for a giant oak tree out in the middle.

[algunz]

The Hollywood Bowl in2004 wasn't as good as the Hollywood bowl now, with all the renovation they've done recently.

That's a good point, but even then it still easily trumped a few of those on the list.

[invisiblerobots]

i saw cyndi lauper in las vegas a couple years ago at the mandalay bay beach. it was awesome watching a show while standing in knee high water.

I saw Rick Springfield at the same place. He came down in the water with us during Jesse's Girl. He even slapped me a high five.

And yay for the Gorge @ #1!

[dakid21]

[fikus222]

Yeah the Gorge and Red Rocks are on my to-do list, which would make 7 of the listed venues that I have been to. Luckily I am moving to Seattle in September.