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 other reviews.