L'Olympia — Attraction in Montreal

Me and my husband attended the Atif Aslam concert on May 29 at L’Olympia and we paid $190 EACH without taxes for our tickets. The quality of the seats was the first shock but we ignored it. The event started with few advertisements and local dance group’s performances that was hilarious. The organizers of the event gave a speech asking people how we should promote more of these Asian events in Montreal and soon we realized why it is a bad idea. We both are huge fans of Atif and were absolutely hooked by his performance for the first 20 mins. Suddenly few of the girls from the back came forward and sat in the queue just before the stage. After that the nightmare started and about 20-30 people who must have bought the cheapest tickets followed the trend and stood in-front of the stage. It was impossible to see Atif performing on stage. Me and few other people who were sitting in the front rows and had bought one of the most expensive tickets had to request and eventually shout to let these people go back to their seats. When few other people tried to ask organizers to help then they were simply ignored. The security was pathetic and the organizers of the event seemed only cared to make money by selling expensive tickets but not giving a cent about organizing the crowd. There were many people who travelled from US to Montreal to see this event and I am sure were hugely disappointed. What I realized is that the best way to see these events is by buying the cheapest tickets possible and stand/sit in front of the stage and let others sulk. It seems there is a long way to match the standards...

I went to many concerts/festivals in my life at least 100+. Never have i felt like quitting a show because of the venue, except for the show of March 4th. I got there and BEFORE i got in yo get my ticket scanned, i asked if it was possible to go back outside, security told me yes hut trough a specific door. Guess what? Not allowed to get out until the show starts. If you got out, cant come back in.. In what venue can you not get out ?! The Olympia apparently.. poor security management, they don’t communicate whatsoever. Next up, you want to see the merch because you’re not sure about buying? Nope cant do. Even when i was already inside, not blocking anyone’s way i was denies and got told to do the line but security, i told him im just looking, that i wasn’t cutting anyone in line, the guy told me he would kick me out? Then after all that happened went to get a beer to calm down, since you know im not allowed to go outside, 20$ the beer? No thank you, worst concert i have attended.. the bands were amazing but the management was poorly executed, every security guard i talked to were extremely rude.. the rules of the place are out dated.. i don’t recommend you going there, just wait for your band to come back to a different venue, not...

Attended Celebration 2014! Well, almost missed the actual countdown... Finally walked in, half frozen after waiting in line for 2 HOURS with 5 seconds to spare... The promotional add describes how there will be no waiting for drinks at the bars due to the amount of staff and bars. How is that helpful to the people waiting outside??? Some of that staff should have been redirected to the door and coat check... ONE STAFF WAS AT THE COAT CHECK!!!! The other issue are the VIP tickets ($130). We bought VIP tickets to specifically avoid the lineup at the door. After showing our tickets at the main door we were directed to the VIP entrance. After waiting there for hours we were redirected to the main door after being told that the VIP entrance was only for table ticket holders and that this was a new rule for this year. WHAT???? The tickets specifically say VIP PREMIUM OPEN BAR (VIP ENTRANCE / 9PM-3AM). Even after getting inside, nothing made up for the nightmare. I wish I could erase this experience from my memory. We did have long coats on, but at -25 for two hours... I was still in pain from the cold...