Leader Bank Pavilion — Attraction in Boston

First time visiting this venue. We saw Joan Jett, Styx and Tesla. Good medium size venue, (3000?) conveniently located on the southie waterfront just out of "the big dig" tunnel in South Boston. Keep in mind this is Boston, and driving through this city is almost never without it's big city traffic issues. That said, however, on this weekday afternoon, arriving around 4:15 pm, we had minimal traffic issues.

Parked in a valet garage about a 15 minute leisurely walk away from the venue for $28. We reserved parking online the day before the show. Many garages we're already full. We got lucky. Book your parking in advance.

This feels like a safe, upscale and well traveled section of town for locals and tourists alike. Be aware when the clock passes midnight this garage (and many others) will charge you for another day for a total of $56 dollars!!! Plan your evening accordingly.

Minor negatives: Food and drink prices at the venue seemed pretty expensive, even by big city concert event standards. Beer and food were plentiful. However, we ate and drank before entering. You were not allowed to walk down front to take pictures with your phone (no camera or video allowed) even before the show started as that was the VIP pass area. However, the staff were professional and friendly. Halfway through the second act, the people sitting right behind us started smoking some nasty smelling weed, so that kind of sucked.

No seat is very far from the stage. However, they are fairly narrow, solid plastic seats and connected so that you share an armrest as you would at a typical baseball stadium. Not particularly comfortable, and worse if you're a somewhat wide person like me. It's outdoors, but covered from weather and hot sun by a big-top style tent.

Big PLUS: Bathrooms we're literally just a stones throw (20 feet) from the rear of the seating area. REAL bathrooms with toilets, urinals, sinks and hand dryers, NOT the portapotty type. Clean, well lighted, large, ADA compliant, and a custodian at the door to make sure it stayed clean. These are public restrooms done right!

The sitelines from most seats will be good, with exceptions being far right or left of stage in the first 15-20 rows due to speakers and band gear stacked on the actual stage. What is this, 1975? All gear was finally removed before the headline act took the stage.

Obviously you DON'T want to be behind the sound board, ever, which was in a fenced off area dead center about 150 feet from the stage. Our seats were in the back (third) section of seating, to the rear of the board BUT just far enough left of the board to see clearly. There were some annoying cables hanging down from a spotlight platform which was suspended from the roof superstructure. Even so, once the show started, you really didn't notice the cables, especially after it got dark, and everyone stood up anyway so the people running the sound board blended right into the crowd. For us the board was not an issue.

The sound quality was not adversely affected by the venue. There were no echoes, no concrete walls or rear wall for the sound to bounce off behind you. Typical of national touring bands, each had their own amps, PA, sound board and tech running it. This was evident as equipment and people in the sound area dwindled in number after each set.

For the record, Tesla and Joan Jett each had excellent, clear, crisp sound. Styx, unfortunately, sounded terrible. This was mostly due to a booming kick drum and overpowering bass guitar which drowned out nearly everything else. The vocals were so loud and screachy that you couldn't really understand a word they said even when they talked between songs. The keyboard, a large part of the signature Styx sound, was barely audible.

Both of us enjoyed the show and the venue gets a thumbs up for convenience, cleanliness, and being a safe environment in a safe area. We agree that we would enjoy going to future shows at Blue Hills...

Extremely Disappointed and Dissatisfied

I attended The Fray concert at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston last night Aug 3rd , and what should have been a special night with my friends turned into one of the most upsetting experiences I’ve ever had at a live event.

I have ongoing, undiagnosed stomach issues, and when I get anxious, it often makes me physically ill.

Not long after arriving, I began feeling physically sick, & very anxious and went to the bathroom to collect myself. While in a stall trying to recover, staff began banging on the stall door and even peeking through the cracks, despite me clearly responding to them and telling them I was okay but just not feeling well. I was coherent, calm, and communicative the entire time.

Instead of listening or showing any compassion, they called EMTs on me without my consent. I was then forced to leave the venue, completely missing the concert I had paid for and had been looking forward to. I repeatedly explained that I was just ill and trying to rest. My friends were allowed to stay inside the show, while I was left alone outside the venue, sick and upset, with no support or follow-up from staff. I missed the entire concert I had looked forward to, and was treated more like a problem than a person. At no point was I treated with empathy or respect—only suspicion and forcefulness.

I understand the need for safety protocols, but I was not intoxicated, disruptive, or unconscious. I was sick and trying to handle it quietly and safely. To be treated like a threat or liability while in a vulnerable state was humiliating and unacceptable.

This experience left me shaken and heartbroken. I expected music, joy, and kindness—not public embarrassment and being kicked out for being physically unwell. I truly hope the Leader Bank Pavilion reevaluates how it handles situations like this. Guests deserve dignity, especially when they’re vulnerable—not fear, pressure,...

Solid venue for large events in a "basically outdoors" space, but concessions are pretty absurd.

Came here for a concert on a Friday night. It's basically a giant tent, so there's always fresh air and bit of a breeze, which helps keep things cool. That said, if you come here and it's about 95 degrees, then you're out of luck. It rained before the show started, but all the regular seats are covered, so it wasn't an issue. Ultimately you get the same benefits of an outdoor concert with a few less drawbacks thanks to the coverage.

We had pretty good seats, but I think any of the regular seats under the tent would be pretty solid. Honestly, even the tables and standing room in the way back would be fine (unless you're particularly keen on getting close). The sound was great and seemed like it would be from anywhere.

Concessions were a bit crazy. They basically only had large beers (18 oz I think) for $18 and a 16oz fountain soda was $5.50. Like many places, they sell "Liquid Death" canned water for $6 or something, which makes me worry you can't get free tap water here.

That bathrooms were clean with ample spaces; I went twice and there wasn't any kind of line or wait, at least not for the men's room. I can't speak for the women's room.

We saw a concert here and everyone was standing pretty much immediately. So if you're seeing someone with some energy, expect the same. The fixed seats are a blessing and a curse: you have less freedom to move/dance/whatever, which takes a bit away from the energy. But it also helps prevent super dense crowds towards the front, which I'm...