Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) — Attraction in City of Saratoga Springs

I need to preface this review with a note that the Saratoga Performing Arts Center is a beautiful park and concert venue -- let's get that straight. But I recently spent two evenings there for two different shows. The first was the "Encanto Sing Along Concert" on a Wednesday night, and then the "Chris Stapleton" show on Friday. Two very different experiences and I've got notes to share. So buckle up; this is gonna be a long one.

Upon arriving for Encanto, we were greeted by the parking attendant who offered $10 regular or $30 premium parking. While $10 isn't bad, I was still annoyed that we had to pay extra and that it wasn't included in the ticket price of a whopping $40 PER PERSON to see a children's movie as a family. This was of course due to the ridiculous LiveNation $15 surcharge per ticket (even at the box office). That means that the surcharge was more than half the cost of each ticket -- and there's something very wrong with that math. Throw in two snow cones for $18.50, a $5 stale pretzel, and a few bottles of water at $3-4 each, and you're looking at a $200 family event for 4 people. Did the kids care about the live show? Nope! Did the adults? Sort of. It was a nice touch, but with all the promos and pre-watch instructions, the $160 film didn't start until 8pm, and everyone was pretty anxious by then. With ALL that said, it was a great experience for the kids, but I think they would have more appreciated three 1/2 season passes to Great Escape for the same price.

As for the Chris Stapleton extravaganza. I can't decide if "cluster-fck" or "sht show" is the best description. Don't get me wrong. Stapleton was amazing; a true artist and a near perfect blend of country and bluesy-rock music. But when I purchased lawn seating, I really expected to be able to actually see him perform the show. Instead, we were cast into the upper lawn area, amongst thousands of drunk fans, some who were inconsiderately smoking cigarettes in the crowd -- while we all stared dead-eyed at medium sized television screen, casting the live show, above the concession stand and bathrooms building (when it was working). We tried singing along and what we could see on the screen was great, but you can't "feel" the band's music the way a live show should be. And having to constantly move our lawn chairs because drunk ex-frat-boys would continually stand in the way of the screen, never caring whos experience they were ruining. It was akin to a tailgate party outside a stadium and I would have never paid for that if I had known. So we left the show about an hour early.

On the plus side, it was a breeze getting out of the park, and we found lots of places where you can sit quietly outside the main venue and listen to performances for free without the sound of screaming fans. Oh and the parking was also a bizarre nightmare. We were guided into the far depths of the park and had to walk nearly a mile to reach the show. Sadly, that was also the saving grace for me, because the walk along the streams and geiser were beautiful, even in the dark heading back (pro tip - if you ever park far away, use Google maps and SAVE your location in the Parking folder. Makes it much easier to find your car later).

So that was my two day Saratoga Performing Arts Center experience at the end of the summer of 2022. And no, I don't blame SPAC because they were merely the host, with reasonably priced parking, a GORGEOUS park and theater, and very friendly staff and volunteers (hence my 4-star rating) LiveNation however, can "kiss my grits" with their ridiculous surcharges and overselling a live show at a theater that can only accommodate 25% of the tickets sold for a live show -- outdoor festival? YES! Live performance? NO!

I definitely revisit SPAC, but more likely for smaller venues (not put on by LiveNation), and to explore their...

Annemarie has always loved live music, and whenever she and her girlfriends have the chance to take a trip, they make a point to visit Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Her stories of SPAC are always filled with excitement, nostalgia, and the sheer joy of experiencing some of her favorite bands in a place that feels almost magical to her.

The first time she went was for a Grateful Dead show, and from what she tells me, it was one of those unforgettable nights. She and her friends packed up the car, filled with excitement, ready for a road trip. They made a weekend out of it, staying at a nearby hotel in Saratoga Springs, which added to the experience. Annemarie loves the charm of the town with its blend of history and energy—it’s like stepping into a different world when the concert is over.

At SPAC, the vibe was incredible. It’s an outdoor venue nestled in Saratoga Spa State Park, and Annemarie loved how the trees surrounded the venue, making it feel like the music was echoing through the woods. She said that when the Grateful Dead hit the stage, it felt like the whole place came alive. The crowd was huge, but there was something intimate about the way the music carried across the lawn seating, especially as they laid back on blankets under the stars. For her, the combination of being surrounded by nature and the music of the Dead felt timeless and euphoric. It wasn’t just a concert; it was an experience.

Another year, she made the trip back to SPAC with the same group of friends to see Dave Matthews Band. That show, too, was something she talks about with a glow in her eyes. They made sure to get lawn seats again—Annemarie loves the openness and the relaxed atmosphere that the lawn provides. She describes how Dave’s music felt like it belonged there, with his long, flowing sets and the crowd singing along, as if the entire venue was one big campfire circle, though with thousands of people. She loves how SPAC is designed so you can either get right up close to the stage or sit back, relax, and still feel fully connected to the energy of the performance.

Each time Annemarie goes, she returns with stories of unforgettable nights, how the lights reflecting off the stage mix with the natural beauty around SPAC, and the sound of the music flowing through the trees. It’s like the venue was made for those kinds of evenings—perfect for soaking in the magic of live performances with her closest friends. SPAC isn’t just about the music for her; it’s about the memories and the shared experiences that keep her...

Unsafe. I will not return.

This could be an absolutely gorgeous venue. Unfortunately it is my first experience with a place that allows smoking weed and cigarettes absolutely everywhere and it will be my last. Was stuck next to someone chain smoking joints and i have never had my throat burn so bad. When I brought it up I was told it was ok for them to do so. The smoke was absolutely everywhere in a thick haze and you could not escape it. If they aren't going to have people smoke in designated areas perhaps at least consider an area for people to get a break and get clear air. I felt bad for an employee that I saw that had to keep using an inhaler. People were just smoking joints in line to get food. It was unreal. It’s too bad because the place has the potential to be a beautiful upscale venue like Tanglewood. It's beautiful. I was so excited to come here for the first time. Never again.

It was also incredibly unsafe. From bits of joins just sitting on toilet paper holders in the bathroom to hills covered in mud that people were just balancing on and scaling the sides of the ramps and such desperate to get a view of the band as if you didn't have actual seats and you didn't get there early to get one of the very limited lawn area seats there was no chance of you seeing the stage. A lot of the area that this venue counts as lawn involved sitting your chair down in in between food trucks and watching the video screens. It's in an area that other venues would not count. Would you pay to sit in a food court and watch a screen? You weren’t even near the stage. The rest of the people were sardines in with their chairs on a hill that was mostly mud.

They were selling lawn seats for 30.00 a piece when we got there. I think the capacity on this place is way way too high. There wasn't an inch to put another chair in the lawn area to see the stage. When we walked in it was standing room only pretty much everywhere else and this was after a major rainstorm that cleared out half the people. I can't imagine seeing this place at capacity and as I mentioned before I think they are overselling it using food court areas and bathroom waiting areas as "lawn seats" Yes there is grass there...it doesn't mean you should be in it.

If you have children do not bring them here. I don't think it's safe for adults let alone children and I saw so many kids there. I should mention we were there for Train and REO Speedwagon. There are so many other venues that care about safety and the quality of the venue. This is...