Detroiters: How was West Riverfront Park as a venue?

[SBParrothead]

Long time Chicago concertgoer here. Due to some likely scheduling difficulties next summer, Detroit may be in play. I've been to a "new waterfront venue" show in Chicago (Northerly Island, 2013) and it was a really miserable experience. The part that bothered me most was that there was almost no elevation in the lawn. I don't think I saw the stage the entire night.

That being said, we may opt for pavilion seating, but it didn't look from the pictures like there was much elevation there, either.

Were my eyes deceiving me? How was the venue?

[OMiTT]

No elevation, but pretty empty. Easy to be way up front. Still can't really see stage good from even that distance, but screen was right there.
Doesn't matter........grassy tailgate/parking opens 7:00 a.m.! $60 to park, but that's a 13 hour party before the show, not a bad deal. Not enough porta johns, lines WAY too long. I recommend BYOPP.
I'll def go next year if it happens there.

[nerdsnerd]

buffett and the reefers always put on a great show,however the venue sucked it was pretty flat making viewing difficult,the lawn was a joke too far away and on flat land,parking was way over priced,and there was not enough porta jons in the parking lot,the lines were too long to get in the venue,i had purchased left of stage riser seats,that were not there,they had made a change to the seating layout,then redirected our seat to section k which was on flat ground and father away,so we sneaked up to section c and got seats in the last row,it would have been nice to be informed that there was a seating change ahead of time! all i can say is the venue needs a lot of work to make it worth attending another show there,why doesn't jimmy just go back to pine knob and play? its a far better place for him to play!

[dnw]

Flat lawn

[Finnsaremorefun]

To me it's amazing how critical some people are. So many criticized Comerica Park and now we have an awesome setting on the River, and people are quick to abandon it in 1 year. Here's my opinion...

First of all, if you bought lawn tickets you knew exactly what you were buying. You knew the Riverfront was a flat park so don't acted astonished if you didn't have a great view. If you are unwilling to spend for seats, then that's what's left.

Personally, I thought the venue was awesome on River seeing the boats anchored off shore with the bridge behind us. When we get a beautiful night it'll only be that much more special. The sound itself was an upgrade and the energy was great from a long day of tailgating. We are always patient for tickets each year, and we ended up in section B, Row 4. It was spectacular and well worth it. This venue will definitely improve as time goes on they'll be improvements to the lawn. Perhaps at some point they'll bring in some backfill and gradually slope the back portion. Or, who knows, perhaps some development money will head that way and we end up with a large amphitheatre downtown. Not out of the question.

So, yes, the Detroit Riverfront is worth it. Jimmy, thank you! We will follow you Pine Knob, Comerica, the Riverfront, Chene Park or Ford Field...just keep those lots open at 7am!

[SBParrothead]

First of all, if you bought lawn tickets you knew exactly what you were buying. You knew the Riverfront was a flat park so don't acted astonished if you didn't have a great view. If you are unwilling to spend for seats, then that's what's left.

It looked like even in the seats, you might be stuck with a bad view if you were far enough back. True story?

[Finnsaremorefun]

First of all, if you bought lawn tickets you knew exactly what you were buying. You knew the Riverfront was a flat park so don't acted astonished if you didn't have a great view. If you are unwilling to spend for seats, then that's what's left.

It looked like even in the seats, you might be stuck with a bad view if you were far enough back. True story?

The seats weren't nearly as troublesome because you weren't stuck behind the mix or obstructions. Plus, there was a drink/food tent that took up a lot of center space but wasn't obstructive to those in seats. I feel the seats would be worth it even if you were in the last row.

[OMiTT]

Being allowed in there from 7:00 a.m. 'til midnight was pretty cool. Do they have a 17 hour Jimmy party anywhere else? DTE was 7 hours shorter, as was Tinley.

[LIPH]

Being allowed in there from 7:00 a.m. 'til midnight was pretty cool. Do they have a 17 hour Jimmy party anywhere else? DTE was 7 hours shorter, as was Tinley.

In Frisco, TX they open the lots Friday morning for a Saturday show and you can stay until Sunday morning.

[Coconuts]

First of all, if you bought lawn tickets you knew exactly what you were buying. You knew the Riverfront was a flat park so don't acted astonished if you didn't have a great view. If you are unwilling to spend for seats, then that's what's left.

It looked like even in the seats, you might be stuck with a bad view if you were far enough back. True story?

Yup! I've been (or at least felt) closer at the back of the lawn in more than one venue than I did in our seats.

The huge issue for me was the complete lack of real restrooms. I'm fine with port a pots in the parking lot, that's normal. But I want lights, flush toilets, sinks and mirrors inside the venue. Had I paid the full price, rather than the Groupon price, I would have been livid. They didn't even have the porta sinks!! I was just glad I thought to bring my hand sanitizer (although that's a poor excuse for handwashing).

[OMiTT]

Being allowed in there from 7:00 a.m. 'til midnight was pretty cool. Do they have a 17 hour Jimmy party anywhere else? DTE was 7 hours shorter, as was Tinley.

In Frisco, TX they open the lots Friday morning for a Saturday show and you can stay until Sunday morning.

Wow, never knew that. You can camp at your tailgate both nights as well?

[OMiTT]

They didn't even have the porta sinks!! I was just glad I thought to bring my hand sanitizer (although that's a poor excuse for handwashing).

I thought it was funny when someone asked me if I had any rolling papers but was even more surprised when a 50 something female asked me if I had any hand sanitizer. NOW I get it!

[sistergoldenhair]

Being allowed in there from 7:00 a.m. 'til midnight was pretty cool. Do they have a 17 hour Jimmy party anywhere else? DTE was 7 hours shorter, as was Tinley.

In Frisco, TX they open the lots Friday morning for a Saturday show and you can stay until Sunday morning.

Jones Beach the party starts at sunrise (with a toast to Al ...)

[Planosmith1]

Being allowed in there from 7:00 a.m. 'til midnight was pretty cool. Do they have a 17 hour Jimmy party anywhere else? DTE was 7 hours shorter, as was Tinley.

In Frisco, TX they open the lots Friday morning for a Saturday show and you can stay until Sunday morning.

Wow, never knew that. You can camp at your tailgate both nights as well?

Yes you can.

[OMiTT]

Being allowed in there from 7:00 a.m. 'til midnight was pretty cool. Do they have a 17 hour Jimmy party anywhere else? DTE was 7 hours shorter, as was Tinley.

In Frisco, TX they open the lots Friday morning for a Saturday show and you can stay until Sunday morning.

Wow, never knew that. You can camp at your tailgate both nights as well?

Yes you can.

Road Trip! When Is it?

[LIPH]

It was May 30. There is a negative side to it though. It's $50 to park and if you have an RV they charge for 4 spots. And that's per day so if you plan on staying for the weekend, it's $400 to park an RV. Also, once you pull your vehicle into the parking lot you have to stay there. If you leave, you have to pay again to get back in. But I guess $400 to park an RV with a few people in it is still cheaper than a hotel for the weekend.

[OMiTT]

It was May 30. There is a negative side to it though. It's $50 to park and if you have an RV they charge for 4 spots. And that's per day so if you plan on staying for the weekend, it's $400 to park an RV. Also, once you pull your vehicle into the parking lot you have to stay there. If you leave, you have to pay again to get back in. But I guess $400 to park an RV with a few people in it is still cheaper than a hotel for the weekend.

How do they define RV? They know it when they see it?
I went through that with Tinley by phone in advance just to be sure because I'm kind of borderline. Nobody could give me an answer,but I ended up being considered non-oversized by the 16 year olds directing the parking flow. Saved me $100.
Meanwhile plenty of PHeads at the tailgate gave me a thumbs-up for the cool RV.

[LIPH]

I don't know what they consider an RV. I'm not a local and I've only gone in a rental car.

[OMiTT]

I don't know what they consider an RV. I'm not a local and I've only gone in a rental car.

Man, I remember you even working Saturdays doing legal research and stuff, I thought for sure you were going to cite the actual clause.
Guess I'll have to find out by testing it myself

[msu#1]

Alot of real negative comments: constructive criticism is good but flat out whining for Pine Knob is not helpful. Do you know how Psychics work?? They prey on the fact people only remember positive good things. Thats why you dont notice how many no's you give when they question you and only the yes answers when they get on a roll.

The "good ole days" of Pine Knob were not as amazing as people remember them. They forget the place only holds 16000. 18000 if they REALLY OVERSELL THE Lawn. Thats one reason tickets were nearly impossible to get. The Bathroom lines could get insane since they only had two in the entire place.(especially the womens room, I saw many women using the mens). The Lot was completely void of shade except the small strip of trees, super hot days meant the sun zapped you before the show even started. The cops were not friendly and wrote tickets for anything not in a red cup up until the last few shows there. PS&E and JimmApy had a long feud that meant he would only show up once every 3 years in michigan(if we were lucky). The Knob did not like tailgating and only would put out TWO OR THREE PORTA POTTIES for tailgaters. They upped it to about 10 the last show on Jimmys demand.
I think people havent been to the Knob in a long time.......The top of the hill is a LONGGGGGGG way from the stage.

Now on to West River........ First most of the problems people should have seen coming. Everyone knew it was flat. I made sure to post that it would be that way like Jazz fest(never hear complaints there) back when I speculated the show was going there. The crew there needs to work on the views though, they can change things some not much to get people closer. I moved alot and the sightlines needed work but was more comfortably then being stuck in a nosebleed seat at Comerica. I felt the Porta Pottie system work completely fine, I never once had to wait in line at the show.

The tailgating needs help. I got there at 3 and the main lot was full, had to go to Riverfront Apartment lot. Plenty of spaces and no hassle, it was safe to park there so I didnt try to find the cheaper option. $60 was not cool. They need to change that. In R.A. lot there were plenty of porta johns only some small waits.

The Food and beer options need help. I never had to wait for a beer but it was exspensive and limited. There were supposed to be Food Trucks there. I would have wanted to get dinner or at least a snack. That needs to be fixed.

The sound system needs help. Like Comerica in certain parts the sound just went to muffled crap. The engineers needed to do a lot better job at sound check to make sure everyone can hear if they are gonna have people spread out.

All in all I would give them a 6 out of 10. The tailgating/parking, sound, sightlines need work. The porta johns, beer lines , and venue views were positives. The ease of tickets was great except I bought early and got screwed-so thats a push. Its a venue that has potential but is still a baby that needs to grow.

Finally, people shouldnt worry about this venue for long, I knew where the new Hockey arena was going 12 years ago and I can tell you that Olympia is going to raze Joe Louis Arena and build a new Shed right there. They want to put the nail in PS&E's concert coffin. They only thing keeping them going is DTE and once a downtown Large sized shed goes in, the artists will abandon Clarkston for Detroit.