The Fonda Theatre — Attraction in Los Angeles

I am a huge Magdalena Bay fan, and I went to the show at Terminal West in Atlanta 2022. There, I had a lot of fun surrounded by queer folk and the staff was very accommodating. This was my first time at The Fonda and I will never return. My ex partner & I got VIP tickets, but she ended up undergoing medical treatment, so I went alone. They came down the line and checked IDs, crossed names off the list, and verified we had tickets. I asked if there was a chance I could have a second signed poster to take to her. The check-in person said that was okay, but I needed to scan both tickets at the door first. This felt a little odd because both names were already off the VIP list, there's no way anyone could have just shown up & taken the poster saved for our tickets. Likewise, this event was through AXS, in which both tickets are on one barcode. Regardless, I pressed on. I understand there's a certain routine for things.

I made it to security, and opened my bag. I went through the metal detector and waited for my belongings, and the security man pulled my anxiety meds out of my bag and loudly announced "EMS! PILL CHECK!" The bottle was clearly marked with the title, my name, and a description of the pills. EMS wasn't there yet, so they had to call someone else, who simply came and checked my ID. They never actually checked the pills, and they missed another pill container filled with my Aleve, so it was very selective. If I had known my anxiety meds would cause such a disruption, I would have left them in the car. I've never dealt with this at another venue.

Continuing on, I made it to the door. They scanned my tickets, and I asked if both tickets came up. They mentioned there were two, and I explained it would just be me, but I was given permission to get another poster when both were scanned. They directed me to the merch table to collect that. I bought and shirt and explained to the nice merch person, who said the posters were still outside. I waited by the front door, and the original poster distributer who I spoke to came through the door. I asked if I could have the second poster. They asked if I scanned both tickets. I said yes, and the same door scanner called over to say "No!". I had to walk back over and have them scan the same barcode a second time, when I'd already confirmed on the way in.

By this point, I was already anxious and trying not to freak out. The bar was closed, but drinks were probably a bad idea anyway. I went into the main space for the Q&A and found a spot against the elevated floor to put my things down and sit for a second to collect my thoughts. I was alone on this platform, everyone else up by the barricade. Security by the stage immediately informed me I couldn't sit. I stood back up, even more frazzled, and decided I wasn't going to make it three more hours to see Matt & Mica's set.

This experience was by far the worst venue experience I've had. I couldn't help but feel as if I was doing everything wrong. I know my perception is key in this story and that venues have policies about pill checks, sitting, and additional VIP merch, but it was overwhelming. I could have been denied extra merch to save my efforts and nerves, and the pill check could have been more private. It would've also been nice to have seating accommodation for VIP that isn't the balcony, because it feels a bit inaccessible to people who actually need to sit. I suppose people could argue that venues like this aren't for accessibility, but regardless, I missed a show I was really looking forward to. I had to exit through the entrance and a woman that worked there asked me if I was leaving for good. Yes… why would I want to be here?

If an artist I like plays this venue again, I will go out of my way to drive to the next city over. Not the place for anxious individuals or those with disabilities, as I've noticed a trend reading the...

I have to report a situation that just happened to me. I am 61 years old and tonight I went to a show at The Fonda theater. The artists are 2 DJs from the 90’s and after I purchased the tickets, unfortunately I had a problem in my right rib, possible fracture with deep pain and I had a proof from my doctor that wrote a statement and emailed me asking for an X Ray.

When the show started I noticed an area with people sitting down and it was almost empty but it had one guy with a cane. I went there and stayed because I was afraid of people hitting on my ribs. Even though the security did not ask me to leave or anything, and because I am an honest citizen who dislikes taking advantage of any situation whatsoever, I decided to be super cool and honest and tell that security my story. But unfortunately he didn’t give a damn and told me he was not a doctor. I decided to tell him about my problem because I wanted my husband to be close to me. He told me: “I am not a doctor, you will have to ask the manager, otherwise I will have to escort you out”

I was a little shocked with the rudeness taking into consideration the fact that I am old, therefore at minimum he could have treated me with respect just because of that. Adding to the fact that I am in pain, therefore with very little patience, I still went to talk to the manager to prove my rights.

I thought it was very rude but I went ahead and talked to the manager and he let me stay there. I went back and told this first rude security that he should have been more flexible and let me show the doctor’s report.

He got offended with the way I talked to him because I said something rude but I was feeling humiliated. After that he called the same manager and told him that I was rude to him and the manager went ahead and took his side and decided to be rude to me as well, asking me why I was not sitting down like everybody else in that area, meaning, debating about, doubting about my situation. I then answered because I had a rib problem and it hurts more if you sit down.

At that point someone with no apparent physical issues took the spot that I was initially occupying and even though that person didn’t have any signs of disability, nobody had any problems about it and the security never bothered him.

Along with this guy who was completely normal, a girl came over and danced like a maniac and nobody ever argued anything or disturbed her and the guy. I felt humiliated about the whole situation, I am wondering if it is because I am old?? Ageism? Is this the new problem I will have to face in California? Is this the price we pay for being honest and trying to do the right...

Everything leading up to doors opening was extremely disorganized and frustrating. Website and AXS tickets email said doors open at 7pm. We arrived at around 6:30pm to line up. There was no clear direction for express pass holders. When someone from the staff finally came out of the closed doors, they told us to go to the end of the line for general admission and they would come pull everyone closer to opening. The staff seemed overall confused and annoyed if you asked questions. There were only 2 people helping with the line outside, so they may have been understaffed as well, which isn’t the employee’s fault. Around 7:20pm, they updated the website to say doors at 8pm (which was extremely irritating since we wouldn't have stood in line for almost 2 hours had that been correct in the first place) They eventually lined up express pass holders around 7:30 or so. I was starting to believe they were going to skip it entirely, there was such a heavy lack of communication. We were told to go back around the line to the front of the building (where we had asked about it when we got there) to a separate line. I wish they would have just had us line up there from the start, as it seems like any express pass holders that showed up right when that line was forming got ahead of us anyway, which wasn’t a big deal, but completely defeated any purpose of us being in the general admission line at all. We ended up leaving before the concert (BoyWithUke) even started because the 7pm doors mix up meant our dog was going to be alone for an extra hour (we also assumed a Sunday show with doors at 7pm and 2 artists wouldn't go to 11pm/midnight, so that assumption was on us), but the organization and experience was so bad so far, we figured we would cut our losses and go home. I hope everyone else at the concert had a great time, but we do not plan on returning to any more shows...