Merriweather Post Pavilion — Attraction in Columbia

I saw a show here when I was a teen and loved the venue. That’s changed. It seems like none of the workers know what’s going on. I didn’t see in the email that chairs weren’t allowed, which is ridiculous, even more so because it rained so hard in the beginning and the general admission grass was a swamp. Then we saw people walking around with chairs after I walked them back to the car, so what’s the rule exactly??? When our friends tried to enter, they said their bags were too big even though they were under the measurement requirements. Then when they got back to the gate they let some guy in who had a huge tote bag and didn’t stop him. There’s also no smoking area and no re-entry. The biggest screen for the general admission crowd also had broken panels. If they’re having crowds as big as they had, that shouldn’t be an issue. After we finally got situated, we were sitting right behind the pathway that goes through the middle of the grass field. As we’re sitting there, people started standing right on the pathway blocking everyone’s view behind them. We paid almost $100/person for tickets to not be able to see anything at all. This needs to be addressed the most. I explained the situation to the information desk. They said they would send people to disperse the standing people. Staff came around and just pushed people forward. They were still on the walkway blocking everything. Not only does that show how unimportant paying patrons are to the venue, but when I complained, the staff didn’t care at all. On top of that, that’s a safety issue for the venue. I will never return to this venue and I will be sure to warn anyone I know not to come here either. Complete waste of money. I could’ve sat at home and listened to the album and had a better time, stayed dry, and saved myself from all the trouble.

If I hadn’t paid so much for my swamp tickets, I would’ve just left.

The photos I added show the broken panels on the screen and the people standing in the walkway blocking everyone’s view. Trust me, go to any other venue. I’ve never left a venue before a show ended in my life. Normally I deal with the traffic because seeing the end of the show is worth it. I left this venue 20 minutes before the end of the show, and this was my favorite band who we drove 2 hours to see. I’m never seeing a show here again. I don’t recommend this venue at all. The only positive thing about our experience was that the concessions people were friendly. That’s it.

Edit: I did email the email provided 2 days after the event. Never got a response. The tote bag that the person brought in was definitely over the measurement sizes. The chairs that people brought in were not for “medical reason” it was just random people with chairs. I was told by the people at the gates that we weren’t allowed to reenter if we went out to smoke. I addressed the people in the walkway with 3 people that night. The information desk (the only person that seemed to care about the situation and the only one that was nice about it), a staff member, and a manager. They did nothing to fix the situation. This response lacks any responsibility for the events that happened. The response of the manager I talked to that night and the fact that nobody has emailed me back shows that you don’t actually want to fix the situation.

Edit: I reach out through email twice and tried calling. Still no response almost 2...

Thank you for the phone call yesterday afternoon,, I enjoyed our conversation.

This past Thursday the 10th of July 2025. I was at your venue to enjoying a concert. Counting Crows I have never seen them before. So excited, scratch off my bucket list. Through out the show we were allowed to enter back in the pavilion with a screen shot of the ticket, plus I asked a staff member when entering the venue, if that was allowed. I was told “Yes”. Great, through the show I exited the pavilion, to use the restroom, get something to eat and and also to get a drink (soda). I must have gone in and out 15 times. During the show (Counting Crows) I had to get up and use the restroom and my husband asked me to get him a drink. No problem. At least I thought. When I came back to the entrance of the pavilion. I was stopped by another employee, who wasn’t there all day. The employee saw I only had a screen shot of our ticket. Ok I understand. I informed her my husband has the tickets on his phone. I’ll try to call but he isn’t going to hear my call, so I tried anyway, No Answer. I went back to the same associate, and explained that we are seated in 202 row R, “Please is there anyway you could take me to my husband and he will show you the tickets. Because I do suffer from PTSD and this is not good Please.” “No” she replied. I begged and pleaded with her because of my condition, informed her that I suffer from PTSD 3 different times. Her attitude got worst towards me. Other employees that have seen my ticket and my husband together came over on my behalf and also tried to plead with her. I understand rules are rules but when I explain I had a mental illness, she did not take me seriously. I lost it, that is from my PTSD. I now have no control. Yes I told her how I felt. I paid good money to be there, and your employee choose to ruin my night. Not just Thursday night was ruined but my whole weekend. I am still not 100%. When my husband finally answered his phone he came over. Well at this point she is out for me. My husband showed her the tickets, and we started to walk, while I’m facing my husband and my bag must have grazed her. Your employee accused me of pushing her. But let me walk to my seat hmmmmmmm, if I pushed her why wasn’t the police called. I sat down to be approached a song later by security. Well I was kicked out because you refuse to train your staff on how to deal with these matter. PTSD is real. Please try to make this right before someone gets...

Explore Maryland - Captial Jazz Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion

10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044 Located in: Symphony Woods Park (410) 715-5550

Nestled within 40 acres of parkland known as Symphony Woods, Merriweather Post Pavilion has provided both artists and fans with a natural connection to each other and their environment for more than 50 years. Artists from Jimi Hendrix and Willie Nelson to Foo Fighters and Florence + The Machine have flocked to this comfortable, as-far-from-cookie-cutter-as-you-can-get oasis between Baltimore and Washington, DC to be surrounded by grass, trees, and good vibes. In fact, Jimi debuted his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner right here, and May 25th, 1969 saw the only show Led Zeppelin ever played with The Who. Don’t miss our one-of-a-kind Music Pinball Arcade, to help celebrate Merriweather’s rich history.

Jazz singers Esperanza Spalding and Samara Joy — both of whom have won the Grammy for Best New Artist (in 2011 and 2023 respectively) — will be two of the headliners at this year’s festival! Three ’90s girl groups — TLC, En Vogue, and Brownstone — will be gracing the Symphony Woods Stage this year!

Mark your calendar for our 32nd annual Capital Jazz Fest, to be held June 6-8, 2025 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland! Held each year during Black Music Month since 1993, the Capital Jazz Fest is one of the longest running festivals in the DMV and one of the premier black music events in the country, featuring over 30 acts over three days. In-between musical sets, enjoy the juried craft vendors at the Festival Marketplace, culinary treats at the food courts, and interactive Q&A sessions with...