As a frequent concert goer, I dread having to go to the SD Sports Arena when my favourite bands come to town. Doesn't matter how great the musician or band, this venue makes them all sound like sh*t.
My first experience with the arena was at the tender age of five. Mickey On Ice was coming to town, so my much older sister took me. Fond memory!
All fondness went downhill from there... I've been avoiding the arena since my teens, knowing its reputation. But when U2 calls, I will follow! (Ha! Get it? I will follow...) Anyway... I sucked it up and got tickets for one of my top 3 favourite bands. They put on a grrrrrrrrrrrrreat show, but man did the acoustics suuuuuuuuuuck!
Previous to U2, I had seen Duran Duran and Sarah McLachlan and Butterfly Boucher at the arena. Alllllll great acts, but yeah....sound sucked. The last time I went to the Sports Arena, it was bought by iPayOne. As if the sports arena couldn't get worse.... The new management installed these fugly green lights around the arena and hired some new incompetents to work security. Same old rusty old 1970s era seats though. It was Depeche Mode that I saw this time around. Another top 3. Great show put on by Dave Gahan and the boys!
In conclusion, San Diego Sports Arena, iPayOne Center...Whatever you want to call it... It sucks, period. Bands I love, please book your shows at Cox Arena if you must stay indoors. Otherwise, book Coors! Its the best in SD!
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