Marshall Health Network Arena — Attraction in Huntington

I attended the Sturgill Simpson concert on 11/1624 with the upgraded Jewel City Club VIP. The VIP upgrade was $60, but ~$80 after fees. This included "dedicated parking". I had to call to find out more about parking. Turns out it means you park in the garage on 8th st., just east of the arena. If I hadn't called, there would be no way of knowing. There are no signs. Furthermore when I entered the garage and asked an attendant about the VIP parking I was told I just had to park anywhere I could. This meant on the top of the garage, since the 1st 2 levels had already filled up. I was there 90 minutes prior to showtime. If I had come later, there's a chance the garage would have been full, so I don't consider it "dedicated". In reality it means you get a card to use when you exit the garage to not have to pay the $5 parking fee.

There were 2 areas within VIP for food and drinks. The reception room is on the smaller side and was pretty warm with all the bodies. The food included some desserts, hot dips, veggies, shrimp cocktail, lobster dip, and Oysters! Oysters are a classy touch, but seemed an odd addition to the spread. As much as I like them, I didn't dare try one. There's another area, almost like an indoor patio, which is separated from the main lobby by a metal fence. There was a bar, a smaller offering of snacks, tables and some games. It was a good place to relax and watch the people coming into the arena. The best part of the VIP was access to the clean restrooms. I never had to wait. Overall, I'm not sure it was worth $80. If I had gone in hungry tho and ate more, maybe. Probably depends on how much you'd pay to not stand in beverage and bathroom lines.

The arena was pretty decent. I chose a seat in the last row corner of a middle side section. I was right beside a pillar. The sound was good, but when I would move forward, away from the pillar, I could definitely hear the sound reverberating off the back wall. I ended up sitting with friends the last 30 minutes and they were in a couple sections further away from the stage, but in the middle rows. The reverb was much more noticeable and a bit distracting, honestly. It must be an issue for every concert and I'm not sure why the arena hasn't tried to install sound absorbing materials at the back.

Overall, I would do it all over again, and I had an...

Worst concert experience of my life,(not the band but the staff). We had a dedicated self-numbered line that was orderly and calm, and at the last minute a group of line cutters formed a mob in the street next to us. Staff was aware that this group was trying to cut, and not only did they allow them to, but they let them in first. The staff had even asked if they were cutting and after confirming they were still let them first (this was all before 8am so they weren't following rules either). Then after numbered wristbands were given out (first 50 or so going to line cutters) when we lined back up they did not even try to have us follow numbers. People numbered 300 were in very front of line. Once everyone realized this people shoved to front and it became a chaotic mob. Then the absolute worst part was they purposefully put all our lives at risk. Doors were supposed to open at 5:30, and at 5:30 as we were waiting in unorganized mob, a torrential storm happened, with lightening all around us. They watched us get dumped with rain and lightening on us for 25 minutes past open time. They had told us no umbrellas or bags (except clear but they still stressed it would be quicker with no bags) so we had no umbrellas or places to keep our phones safe and dry. It was an unsafe nightmare. because they kept us waiting in a huge storm past opening time, when they did let us in it was scary, people stormed the doors because they had been kept waiting in storm so long, and because they knew numbers didn't matter. Then the security and ticket check process was an unorganized mess. Inside security was also a joke, people were sitting anywhere with no one checking seat numbers. People were smoking cigarettes and vaping the whole time, (yet we couldn't bring a purse in?). The whole unsafe nightmare could of easily been avoided (as other venues do) with a little organization and control. Our lives also didn't have to be at risk if they had at least opened the doors on time. They claimed they didn't open on time because "the stage wasn't ready", but that's no reason to make us stand in a storm, as they had curtains (used during band change)they could put up while finishing stage prep (plus why be behind on that anyway??). Never again would I attend anything here, no matter how much I'd want...

EDIT: Every time I visit this arena, I am reminded why I should avoid it at all costs. The staff is clearly untrained and rude. They don't understand that sometimes guests wish to spend money. I was told that I could not reenter the building once I had left to purchase some t-shirts, although they had allowed me to leave during the show and reenter. This arena is anti-guest. They don't value the very work they have. We are meant to be their lesser. I'm going to Columbus from now on. Better establishments and better trained staff.

I recently went to see Korn and Rob Zombie live at this arena. The show was great, but the staff at this arena is terrible. I had a problem with my tickets and they basically told me to go away. After calling ticketmaster and being told by them that they will have my tickets reprinted and to go get them from the ticket box, the old angry ladies in the office told me they would do nothing for me, and when pressed for a reason she answered with "We don't work for ticketmaster, they work for us!" That's right, these ladies were not only rude, but they were also taking to yelling at their customers. If a show pops up and you really want to see it, check Columbus or Charleston first. And if you do commit to this arena, the sound is always terrible, the place feels as inviting as a 1940s bomb shelter, the bathroom floor drain seems more cleaner than the actual toilet, food/drink overpriced, and parking is insane if you do not show up 2 hrs early. I could go on and on but I'm sure you get the idea. They lost a very loyal customer and I am sure they will...