Mixed impressions here
My first visit to the events center was on Saturday, August 24 2013. The reason? I won free tickets to see the band, The Wanted. I have been to the casino part and Vision Bar a few times. I had fairly high expectations on this one. The events center fell short in one area and met expectations in another.
Starting with entering the events center...
You actually enter the venue through Vision Bar. Multiple lines moved fast outside. Security and staff were answering questions and being very friendly. You walk through Vision Bar and an entrance lobby. Thirsty? Beverages are available at a few locations not just Vision. More staff and security was present to make sure everyone enjoyed their experience.
Here is the a low point...
I had general admission. Walking down a few steps takes you to a large, square room. Honestly, I was thinking: "This is it? Just a a large, square pit?" The Wanted appeals to a teen to early 20's crowd. No seats were available for general admission on this one. I have seen photos of other shows where fold up chairs were lined up. OK, this was not a low point because I have been to other venues with the same setup. Two, narrow rows of seats lined the general admission section on both sides. This part is raised at floor level of the lobby. Higher up, at the back, is the VIP section and rooms. The stage is in the front of everything and raised at the seating / lobby level. In the back corner, was a stand for buying merchandise. Sound booth / board. about 2/3 back from the stage in the middle of general admission section.
After the show, in the next few days, I talked to a few people about the layout. "A large, concrete room." "It's OK, a large room." "It's a great venue." Were some of the responses I heard.
Now for the high points...
Honestly, there is not a bad spot in the events center. The stage is very visible from every angle. Two large screens on the right and left provide a great, closeup view. Especially if someone is blocking your view. I moved around the general admission section and did not have any problems. Again, I talked to a few people who have been there. Everyone agreed with me on this point.
Tech Friendly. Due to no seats, I was easily able to find an outlet and charge my phone. Standing against a wall, I had no problem at all watching the show and phone charging. I realize this may different when they have seating available. I had full data and signal while in the events center.
The sound and acoustics were very good! Moving around I did not hit one spot where I it was overpowering or low / dead.
Overall recommendation:
Physical layout: I would have to give this one an above average rating. Even though it is a large, concrete room; the layout works. There is not one, bad spot to see the stage and show.
Sound and light: Impressed me. Sound was good everywhere and the light show can easily cover the entire venue.
Tech friendly: Impressed me. This rating may change on a future review. For this show, I was easily able to charge the phone and had signal / data at every spot I stood.
Beverage prices: Impressed me. I paid $3.00 for a 20oz Diet Coke. I was expecting to pay around $5.00.
Would I recommend the Sands Events Center for shows? Will I be returning for future ones? Yes! Suggestion: you may want to try and find out if the general admission will have seating. Standing / moving around for 2 hours did not bother me in the slightest. You may feel differently. Or treat youself and spend more $$$ for the raised seating / VIP section.
Starting with entering the events center...
You actually enter the venue through Vision Bar. Multiple lines moved fast outside. Security and staff were answering questions and being very friendly. You walk through Vision Bar and an entrance lobby. Thirsty? Beverages are available at a few locations not just Vision. More staff and security was present to make sure everyone enjoyed their experience.
Here is the a low point...
I had general admission. Walking down a few steps takes you to a large, square room. Honestly, I was thinking: "This is it? Just a a large, square pit?" The Wanted appeals to a teen to early 20's crowd. No seats were available for general admission on this one. I have seen photos of other shows where fold up chairs were lined up. OK, this was not a low point because I have been to other venues with the same setup. Two, narrow rows of seats lined the general admission section on both sides. This part is raised at floor level of the lobby. Higher up, at the back, is the VIP section and rooms. The stage is in the front of everything and raised at the seating / lobby level. In the back corner, was a stand for buying merchandise. Sound booth / board. about 2/3 back from the stage in the middle of general admission section.
After the show, in the next few days, I talked to a few people about the layout. "A large, concrete room." "It's OK, a large room." "It's a great venue." Were some of the responses I heard.
Now for the high points...
Honestly, there is not a bad spot in the events center. The stage is very visible from every angle. Two large screens on the right and left provide a great, closeup view. Especially if someone is blocking your view. I moved around the general admission section and did not have any problems. Again, I talked to a few people who have been there. Everyone agreed with me on this point.
Tech Friendly. Due to no seats, I was easily able to find an outlet and charge my phone. Standing against a wall, I had no problem at all watching the show and phone charging. I realize this may different when they have seating available. I had full data and signal while in the events center.
The sound and acoustics were very good! Moving around I did not hit one spot where I it was overpowering or low / dead.
Overall recommendation:
Physical layout: I would have to give this one an above average rating. Even though it is a large, concrete room; the layout works. There is not one, bad spot to see the stage and show.
Sound and light: Impressed me. Sound was good everywhere and the light show can easily cover the entire venue.
Tech friendly: Impressed me. This rating may change on a future review. For this show, I was easily able to charge the phone and had signal / data at every spot I stood.
Beverage prices: Impressed me. I paid $3.00 for a 20oz Diet Coke. I was expecting to pay around $5.00.
Would I recommend the Sands Events Center for shows? Will I be returning for future ones? Yes! Suggestion: you may want to try and find out if the general admission will have seating. Standing / moving around for 2 hours did not bother me in the slightest. You may feel differently. Or treat youself and spend more $$$ for the raised seating / VIP section.