I've been to the remodeled Mississippi Studios a few times. The space is divided into an entry atrium/dining/queueing area behind the front door, and then a second door past the bar area to the listening and performance area. The bar is open on both sides so you can see through from the atrium to watch the acts as well. Once in the listening area, you can go up stairs to a viewing gallery and seated balcony, with an upstairs restroom and green room behind that. The listening area seating can be configured from entirely open to entirely seated.
What all this gives you is a great set of personal options for eating, drinking, watching the performers from many angles. What it gives the producer is a lot of flexibility in the feel of the event: split bands on the main stage and above/behind it on the gallery, lighting options, seating/standing options to match the number of ticketholders and the feel you want to create. These options really allow you to create a mood where everyone benefits... make it standing/loud/rocky, or seated for chamber music, or anything in between.
This ability to set the balance means you can enjoy the music and the mood, and not be fighting the noisy people trying to get their drink on at a club, nor stumbling over screwed-down seats when they aren't appropriate to the performance. For photography, you can move all around to all the different sightlines. It's great.
Mr. Brunberg's got a really great idea going on here. I'm a happy patron.
Pros: Great sound, clueful patrons
Cons: Bar can get a bit busy
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