Saratoga Performing Arts Center

I’ve been to SPAC three times in the past three years. The first time was for Larkin Poe at the Outlaw Music Festival. As fans of Larkin Poe my wife saw that they were playing at SPAC which was a place we wanted to see. We purchased the tickets from Larkin Poe website and didn’t know they were just one of many bands playing for the Willie Nelson Outlaw Music Festival. It was a great concert. We had seats in the lower area which are great as you can get up and walk around and know you still have a place to sit when you get back. The next two times at SPAC was for Dave Mathews Band. These were with friends who have seen Dave Mathews many times. We had lawn tickets both times. The sound was fine and the large displays let you see everything. Being so far away from the stage I never know if I should look at the band or the displays. It has more of that festival party feel. My next time there I hope to get seats again in the Amphitheater. If you are sitting on the lawn, it’s worth bringing a small blanket which gives you your own space but you need to arrive early so you get a place with a good view. You need to read the rules. You are only to take in “clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and/or small clutches, wristlets, or fanny packs that are not clear (6”x 9”).” You can bring water bottles that you can fill up there. Your phone is also used as your ticket to get into SPAC. There are lots of options for food and drinks. As expected everything is expensive. It’s a Cashless Payment venue. Most people pay with their phones but credit cards also work. We also go to Saratoga Spa State Park (2,400-acre) to hike. I like when we make a full day out of a concert. Arriving early to take a hike and then do a little tailgating. Alcohol is not allowed in the parking lots but doesn’t seem to be enforced (lucky for us).

Saw Weird Al with my family and had the best time. As far as the venue goes, as you can see in other comments here and on other sites, the experience at SPAC is on the down slide. People are forced to rent lawn chairs. The food and drink are outrageously priced. The bathroom situation wasn't bad. There were plenty of stalls in the men's room, and it was very clean. The biggest fault I experienced was returning to my seat in section 6. When I first arrived, the girl at the bottom of the ramp to the balcony told us to go down to the lower ramp on the extreme right. Fine. There were no lines. When I went left just before the show started and came back the line at the entrance I went in was obscenely long so I went to the girl t the balcony ramp and told her the line was very long. She said it was OK to use her ramp, just use the stairs to go down to my section, no big deal. We'll the older lady at the top of the ramp sniffed and said girl shouldn't be letting people up there. In my opinion, if the lines are getting long to get to one section, let people use the other entrance ramps to get into the amphitheater. Otherwise, it was a great experience.

SPAC is fantastic. I've been attending shows there for almost 45 years and it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful the sound is. There are limitations, such as the lawn is usually more dirt than grass, and the rules for food and drinks and chairs are quite strict (seems to be all about money, not safety). That being said, it is very well run, in a pristine state park and fully designed for the best sound outdoor ampatheater can provide. 5 ⭐✨⭐✨⭐

Have actually been to 2 concerts this summer. My friends and I saw the dave matthews band and then Little Big Town.. we had lawn seats for dave matthews.. which was fine.. as it was warm, no precipitation. It was really busy.. we stood on an incline but we danced lots so it was great...super expensive alcholic beverages but .. that was expected. We had balcony seats for the other concert.. which was a good thing as well as it was a bit chilly and intermittently drizzling . Sound and visuals really good. We are actually going to a third concert this weekend. We are seeing Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo girls. I hadnt been to SPAC in too many years to remember but I love it and would have gone to every concert if possible. All peeps working venue also great from security to the gals serving drinks.. Only negatives.. obviously takes a long time to leave parking area and... people that litter.. uggh

Great venue to see concert!! You can pay for seat in the bowl or pay less to sit on lawn. Lawn seats is a nice experience to listen to your favorite artist , may not see them though