After reluctantly seeing Flaming Lips here recently, I affirm my ZERO STAR RATING (pay no attention to that lone star--i can't find the zero key) for what used to be the Austin Music Hall, but is now a venue which yearns to be nearly as awful as my high school gym, or the Grange Hall out in Nesbitt, but fails to reach even that level of abysmal. The entrance (when you finally find it) sucks, the bar sucks, the lines for the bar and the john (which cross) suck, the security staff seems hell bent on making everyone feel as welcome as a fart in church and best of all, the acoustics boggle the mind with how much they manage to make even a great band with good sound board engineers come off sounding like a bad clock radio in front of a Fisher-Price "My First Megaphone." This is the music hall equivalent of "The Producers," clearly designed to suck and lose money, except it's not funny at all. What IS funny is how fast it will be reduced to hosting stamp collector conventions and WWE cage matches once the new Austin City Limits Studio opens up about 2/10 mile East. Live Nation will be booking the 320 nights a year that ACL is not taping a show, in their brand new purpose-built $30 million theater with two balconies, 2,750 seats and designed to be acoustically perfect for television and radio broadcast (as well as in person) by Steven Durr, a Nashville recording-studio acoustic designer. Should be REALLY easy to sell an expensive show with 3rd rate bands in a venue with horrible sound and terrible sightlines staffed by people that hate customers about 1,000 feet away from Austin's new "dream theater." Yeah right. Take THAT Austin Music Hall. So long. read more

Austin Music Hall - Jug Bands sound better. - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

Eh... Ehhhhhh........ that's really all I can think of to describe this place. Last night was my first time venturing into the Austin Music Hall - I've heard they recently remodeled it, and I'm not sure how they really improved it, but since I didn't see the before, I won't bash the after - too much. Muhahahaha. Immediately when arriving it wasn't clear which line was for what - do I go into this line if I already have a ticket, or is this line for Will-Call - what!? Annoying. Then, the not-so-friendly door guy confiscated my water. I'm sure the Counting Crows have had some recent terrorist threats, so I was willing to let that one go. Once inside, I immediately noticed the super ugly and view-blocking sound stage that covered a good portion of what could be standing area. Who thought of this design? I'd like to take you out for a drink or two to talk to you about this. When my boyfriend arrived a little late, I went to head out to the front of the venue to give him his ticket so he could get in, and was told by the door lady that if I went out, I wouldn't be able to get back in. Um, seriously? What if a friend that I was with had an emergency and I had to take her home and wanted to come back and not waste my $45 ticket? (has happened before, so it's not out of the realm of possibility) I wouldn't be able to get back in? Really? LAME. Who came up with that rule? I'd like them to take ME out for a drink or two. The one good thing about this place, was the ease of being able to get pretty close to the stage. Yes, we were off to the side a little, but we were pretty close and if I were there to see a band that I really really liked, it might have trumped all the bad. Maybe. Also, $4.50 for a Lone Star, AMH? Ugh. You disgust me with your trying-to-be-like-Disneyland antics. If I ever spend $45 to go to this place again, it better be Jesus on that stage!! read more

Austin Music Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place sucks donkeys! Over a month ago, came here to see New Order. Had no idea this venue oversells tickets. Despite getting there at 8:30, I had to enter a second line in order to access the general admission area where the band was playing. No one enters unless somebody leaves to get drinks at a bar or uses the restroom. Who leaves at the start of the show? I was able to enter after the second song of New Order's set 45 minutes later. They were playing pretty much the same set as their Dallas show, so I wasn't as ticked off as most others in line who've been dying to see them live. By the sixth song, there was still a long line outside the GA area, I felt very bad for them. The acoustics here was decent. Venue itself looks nice and new. Saw My Bloody Valentine here a couple of weeks ago and made sure to get here early. Protip: If show is sold out, arrive here when doors open. Do a preemptive strike with your toilet needs before the show starts. Buy merch after the show, not before. read more

Austin Music Hall - New Order (7/19/13) - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We came here for a Purity Ring concert - and judging from the 3 block line, we knew it had been oversold. We braced ourselves and got in pretty quickly, and the venue looks pretty cool at first glance. However, I read the many, many reviews that mentioned the bad acoustics beforehand and tried to be positive, hoping it'd be better. I can't explain put into words how bad this venue is. It has no business selling tickets for bands. The acoustics were so bad that I couldn't hear a single lyric of the first song. The bass for the songs inbetween set changes reveberated so harshly off of the walls that all you felt was a thumping in your chest and a pain in your ears. Lyrics are not clear whatsoever from ANY song, and it took so much away from the band's performance. I've seen Purity Ring at another venue and the lyrics were crystal clear. That is how I know that previous reviews are absolutely correct and that it wasn't just this band in particular. The opening act was absolutely stunning and it was completely ruined by the horrible acoustics. The music you hear will be only faintly reminiscent of the band you came to see. Oversold is an understatement. I've never sweat so much in my life. A girl fainted during the opening act. We were packed like sardines. People were irritable from the cramped space, because the entire room was so filled that even the bathroom doors were blocked. The guy in front of me sweat so profusely that it dripped from his pony tail as he swung his head and it splashed in people's faces. I felt disgusted, and I've been to many shows. The balcony was so loud during the band's performance. It echoed off the walls and made it sound like no one on the 2nd floor was even listening to the performance. Moving venues to a more expensive, newly built area you would think they'd slope the floors, or build a balcony area where people could ACTUALLY see. Please listen to the bad reviews and try to catch the band you love at another venue. I promise you that you'll regret your ticket purchase when you show up and see that you paid $50-$150 only to hear the music and not see a thing. Even wors, the sound will be the worst quality possible because it sounds like you're hearing every note under water. read more

I came here to see 311 a few months ago. This was my first time at AMH and after reading the reviews, I had pretty much made my mind that I was going to bee-line it to the 2nd floor mezzanine for the best view/acoustics. So, I got a space at the railing (which was wobbley...kind of scary) kind of in the center--more towards the left side of the stage. Acoustics weren't bad. The view was pretty good and I had no obstructions. This isn't my fav venue, but I'd still come here if a band I wanted to see was coming into town. read more

Austin Music Hall - 311 at AMH from the 2nd floor mezzanine - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came here on ACL weekend for a Steve Aoki afterparty. It fell on the day that ACL was cancelled due to the rain so the afterparty was PACKED. My friend and I waited about 20 mins to retrieve our tickets from will-call, so try to print them out ahead of time! Regardless, we caught a glimpse of Steve Aoki meeting his VIP fans for their meet&greet so it made the wait worth it! We bought the GA floor tix as opposed to the Balcony tix and that was SUCH a good idea. Balcony seating is just weird - as I can attest to from the Avicii at Radio City & SHM at Barclay's shows. The bar in the back of the venue had us going back and back again as our fave bartender decided to make each shot bigger and bigger each time. By our 3rd shot - it was really like our 6th shot! Awesome fun night with good company :) read more

Austin Music Hall - a concert stage with red and yellow lights - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came to see foster the people Event staff were awesome, my date had a broken angle and big boot on her foot. They set us up with chairs and a great view The staff here on 5/16 were amazingly accommodating to us and totally made a memorable experience for us. Thank you! read more

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I just don't understand why this place has such bad reviews... I went to this venue 5/14/2015 for the foster the people concert. It wasn't too little of a place to hold everyone It wasn't hot, it was actually cold Didn't have any weird smells The sound system wasn't funky The employees are super nice My only bad comment is that people were smoking, giving me a horrible headache (which isn't this venues fault) But i will totally come back to this place for another concert. It was great! read more

Austin Music Hall - Milo Greene - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

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It's like they're doing it on purpose. They are actually trying to ruin the concert experience, through a combination of poor design, exorbitant pricing and outright rude assholes for employees. Let's be frank - the only reason i would ever go back is to see a band I just love, not like, but love. Last night, the Flaming Lips were absolutely fantastic, my friends and I had a great time. But at every turn, we were challenged by the idiocy which is the AMH. Extremely poor sight lines for all but a few. Terrible acoustics. Limited beer selection priced way out of line. The capper for me, though, happened just as we were leaving. We let the initial bum's rush out, then we planned on hitting the restroom and walking to Gingerman or BD Riley's or somewhere. Just as we started to walk over to the restrooms (about 25 feet from where we standing), we were accosted by a short young fellow with a raging Napoleon complex. "You have to get out of here!" "We just want to go pee, and then we're leaving. There's a line of people there, we just want to get in line." "No, you have to leave NOW!" What?! I just spent $100 dollars in your establishment, the place is still almost half full of people, and this dickhead is refusing to let us go use the restroom. Screw you Austin Music Hall. You have achieved quite a feat - a major remodel which is actually worse than the original, and coupled it with ridiculous prices and terrible staffing. The trifecta! Austin Music Hall has now become singular in the sense that I could not care less if this "institution" remains or not. I still lament the loss of Waterloo Brewery, and other iconic Austin establishments. I've seen some great shows at the old Austin Music Hall - Dylan, Green Day - hell my company rented out the place a couple of times for shows which was great. But I'll never spend another dime of my money at this new incarnation. There are just too many other places which seem to actually care about their patrons. The staff and management of Austin Music Hall obviously have no such concern. An embarrassment to a music-centric city such as Austin. read more

Want to experience some of the worst acoustics in Austin? Want to wait in a massive, unorganized line to overpay on underpoured drinks? Want to stand around in an uncomfortable, non-airconditioned room full of sweaty people blocking your view of the stage? Want to experience a bathroom that is potentially worse than an overflowing portapotty? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Austin Music Hall is for you! Easily the worst venue in Austin. In fact, it may just be one of the worst places in Austin *period*. read more

Unless you are sitting in the over-priced VIP section, avoid at all costs. The acoustics were bad enough in here before the remodel. Now, it sounds like the band is playing in a dirty diaper. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, and yes, they do get some really big names here. I know it is tempting, but don't be fooled. The concert will suck the big one and you'll be pissed at yourself for wasting X hundred dollars on tickets and drinks. During the remodel, they added a second floor and now have more metal in here than a steel mill, which isn't friendly to sound waves. It is almost like listening to music underwater. We saw Duran Duran here a while back and we couldn't even tell that they were playing Rio for about 30 seconds! Seriously! To make matters worse, the architect (possibly the owner's child) decided to place the bathrooms and bars right where everyone needs to walk to get around, so you really can't even move about! Brilliant! Do yourself a favor and make the drive to SA, Houston or Dallas to see the show at a good venue if this is where they are playing in Austin. Stick with Stubb's BBQ for Austin shows. I wish I could give this hole zero stars. read more

This is BY FAR the worst venue for music in Austin!! We bought $100 tickets each to sit in the balcony for a sold out Lorde show last night. I would love to be able to say that I "saw" Lorde last night, but we were never able to SEE Lorde or the stage AT ALL!! We were in the balcony on risers and with everyone standing in front of us all we could see was the chandelier hanging above the stage. Every once in a while we could see the top of her head as she flipped her hair but that was it. She sounded great!! But I should have saved the $200 we paid for the tickets and listed to her in my car. Everyone in the balcony (that was not on the front rows) was livid and left early. I addressed this issue with an employee and was told they are so popular because the can pack everyone in and if I wasn't a fan then I did not have to come back. So I won't. read more

Austin Music Hall - This was our view the whole time. No view of the stage and we NEVER saw Lorde. - Music Venues Near Me - Austin, Texas

Pre-redesign the sound was never particularly good but it was one of the only larger venues to see larger touring bands in Austin. It was at least wide open and easy to move around in. Post (multi-million $) redesign they have managed to make it sound absolutely abysmal, its an echo chamber. No attention was paid to softening surfaces with acoustical tiling or foam. It has ruined what shows I have seen there and has guaranteed that I will not return Sight lines are much worse. If you are under the balcony or anywhere but in the first row on the balcony you have obstructed views. The layout is also awkward. Even though there are clearly 2 main paths on either side of the stage there are only exits and stairs on one of them. Its a giant cluster-f*@k. Don't give Direct Events your money. Force them to fix this travesty read more

If you're a masochist, or thinking of becoming one, you can do worse than attend a show at Austin Music Hall. Where's the entrance? Oh, there it is. Glad I've found it after circulating the building. Might be an idea to put a sign on it, but that's probably being way too conventional. Go on, try to find a good view of the show. It's as if they're daring you to. The balcony overhangs the floor in a manner that will ruin any show you're at if you happen to stray to the edges. The sound technician is set right at the edge of this making standing at the center at the back doubly disappointing. As for sound quality, you'd be better off listening to a ten year old armpit-farting his way through your favorite album than watching a show here. Where did the midrange go? Oh, I see, it's been replaced by an overemphasis on bass that ranges in volume from flatulent and flat to a resonance that rearranged my internal organs. It's like having an aural lobotomy. Whoever "designed" this venue should be publicly shamed and never allowed within five feet of a drafting table again. I'd describe the Austin Music Hall as "a pit of misery", but that would be unfair to pits. read more

If I were a Norse god, I'd level this place with my trusty hammer. But alas, I am human, which means I have to suffer through the shitty layout and awful acoustics of the Austin Music Hall to partially see and barely hear a band I love. I hate this place times a million. read more

Oh, Austin Music Hall, how much do I loathe you. Every time I go there, I always say that I will never go there again. Then, another awesome band decides to play at your venue. I have to go. However, after the Crystal Castle show, I am done. It's not enough that I had to deal with you overselling the balcony for The National Show. A show I paid good money to see, but I was forced to sit and watch from the corner (thanks Security). I heard the band looked awesome, but I was not able to see that since the only good spot on the balcony is the front. After that show, I had to deal with the frat-tastic crowd at Crystal Castle. The crowd wouldn't have been bad except that you failed to police the general area with the drunk fray boys and missed several fights were I was pushed, fell over, and had my drink spilled on me. However, props on pulling that boy that may have been selling something in the front even though you missed the people throwing their drinks from the balcony. Ah, the drinks. You make a mean mix drinks, but I am tired of the lines. Yeah, nothing like waiting 30 minutes to get up to the bar to be told that you are out of so many drinks. Come on now. You are a music venue - that's unacceptable. Thanks for the bad memories, but I am done with this. I need to move on and no band will ever lure me back. read more

While last night's Ghostland show was fun and the lead singer was just as insane as always, I have to say, I hate this venue. I mean this place pretty much sucks, even with the remodel. I saw George Clinton here the first time I came to Austin, back when SXSW wrist bands were like, $25. I had a really good time. So good, that I passed out on the floor. Oops.* They have nice floors at least. I've seen other shows here too. And the thing I've always hated is that the bar is never staffed right, the line for the bar is about a million miles long and moves at a snails pace, and it's hard to see here. Seriously, whoever it was that said this place is like a concrete floor with a roof on it kind of hit the nail on the head. Last night, the sound was off and the vocals were too...something. Loud I guess. I don't know if that's the venue or the band's sound guys, but it was off. It didn't detract from the energy of the show though, so that's good. I'm adding a star because we did end up finding a nice little spot where we could not only see the band well, but also watch the crowd, which, at a Ghostland show is half the fun. Also? That singer has got to be on meth to keep that shit up. Damn. *Whatever, I was like, 25. You know you were stupid when you were 25. And if you are 25 or younger? In ten years or so? You'll say the same thing about yourself. read more

For a "Live Music City", the owners of Austin Music Hall has managed to make this venue a HOT MESS! Holy cow...where do I start? As everyone has previously stated, it's always oversold, the sight lines are horrible...HORRIBLE, the acoustics are a joke...A JOKE! I literally hope this places burns to the ground...accidentally, of course. You have embarrassed us Austinites, Austin Music Hall. Can I take a time machine back to Liberty Lunch days?!? read more

The worst concert venue I've ever been in. 1 star is far too generous. They oversell their seating. Then force everyone to stand on top of each other. Staff doesn't communicate with each other. We were directed (by staff) to stand on the top bleacher of the upstairs. We left our spot on the floor to follow directions, then five minutes later a different staff member told us it was "against fire code" and that we had to move. Of course we couldn't stand in the aisles (which everyone ended up doing after the show started), and couldn't stand in the mezzanine (which everyone ended up doing after the show started). I stood for 2 hours and literally did not see a single thing on the stage, because there were 2 rows of people standing on the floor in front of me. It is safe to say that I will never go to another event here, ever. Worst concert experience I've ever had - and it wasn't the cheapest either. Bottom line: they oversold the venue, didn't allow people to stand around, but didn't provide a place for them to go. Why pay good money for a concert when there isn't even a guaranteed spot? If you're going to sell "standing room only" tickets, don't charge the same price as tickets with spots, and make sure your ticket holder is aware of that BEFORE they purchase a ticket MONTHS in advance. Horrible experience. read more

Worst big music venue in Austin? Yes, I think so. If you need a security team to slow access to the GA floor area and introduce one in/one out policies, that means you've sold too many tickets. Reduce the capacity of this venue. Overselling your own GA area on a consistent basis strikes me as an unethical business practice. As others have stated, this venue also has awful sightlines, muffled sound, and silly bar lines. I'd rather see a band at pretty much any other venue in town over AMH. read more

Ditto to basically everything said below. Every time I go to AMH I vow 'this will be the last time' and always end up getting suckered back when one of my favorite bands plays (this case - Tenacious D 7/19/12 show). Luckily, this time I was smart enough to buy the VIP seats, which were actually surprisingly good from a viewing/acoustics perspective. But that did not mean I didn't still have to deal with the AMH's awful crowd control, rude/incompetent security people, long beer/bathroom lines, etc., as is the status quo at Austin's Worst Music Venue. This time though, I really started fearing for my own safety and for the safety of those around me. These money hungry venue owners sold the Tenacious D show to AT LEAST 150% capacity. God forbid, if there is ever a fire or natural disaster, not a single person would get out alive. The owners of this place must be bribing the Austin Fire Marshall very nicely to keep it running. Even after the show is over, you have to file out like ants through ONE EXIT, where they don't even have all of the doors open! And even though you are trying like hell to get out of there, you have security guards cracking their proverbial whips and yelling "GET OUT!" right behind you. Austin Music Hall: ruining the city moniker "Live Music Capital of the World" one show at a time. This time, I swear on my unborn child, I will never return for a show again. read more

Wow. Saw Death Cab for Cutie last night at AMH. This was one of the poorest live music experiences I've had in Austin. To start, entry was fine and easy, but it felt somewhat chaotic and just about every staff person we came across was disgruntled, grumpy, and irritated. I don't know if they were just annoyed at the teenaged crowd, or what, but not only were the ushers rude and pushy, but even the bartender was very rude and impatient, and at one point snapped at a guy who was trying to show her his ID when all she wanted was for him to state "I am over 21." So that set the tone. But we were excited to see Death Cab, so our spirits remained high. The opener sounded very low-quality, but we just figured it was that particular band. Unfortunately, that was not the case. That was the worst acoustics I've ever experienced in a large venue. At times, the sound was *so* distorted, you couldn't tell what song they were playing until halfway through, when you'd catch a line or two of the chorus. It was awful. Lastly, the surroundings were disappointing. I had high hopes for this "premier music hall," but alas, it was reminiscent of a Mega Church Auditorium. Cheesy rock n' roll artwork and wood paneling really put the cherry on the cake. I have seen Death Cab before (3 years ago, Cains Ballroom, Tulsa, OK), and they were great, the sounded even and full. In AMH, they sounded distorted, tinny, and all around low quality. I don't know if it was Death Cab's sound engineer or AMH's, but either way, it was awful. Just awful. I will never pay to go to a show there. How disappointing, Music Capital of the World. Don't waste your money, music fans. read more

This place has terrible sound and terrible lighting. Who thought a concrete block would lead to good acoustics? In addition to the crappy sound, the staff is militant. Do NOT try to stand on the steps, or the last row in the stadium seats at the very back. Do NOT stand there.... or there either.... Yes, the show is sold out and beyond capacity but we really need to maintain this safe pathway to our ONE EXIT!!! Seriously, if there was a fire in this place it would be really scary. Plus, they don't offer water jugs. Come on? This is a show where people are sweating and drinking. Do I really need to stand in the 15min beer line to fill up my cup with water? When I did finally get a beer they charged $5 for a LoanStar. Last night at the Pixies show they turned off the air at 10:30pm when the show was still in full swing. The mega tall security guy stood in front of all the shortie girls hanging out behind the sound stage making sure we were up to no good and still having trouble seeing Kim. When the show was over everyone moved toward the one exit in cattle formation. ONE EXIT!!! OMFG! Every time I go here I say, this is the last time. Dammit. Why does Cake want to play here for NYE? If you are an artist looking for a cool venue... this is not it. read more

I was at the Ghostland Observatory show on Leap Day and while the performance was kickass, I was less than impressed with the Music Hall. When my husband has to wait in line for almost 30 minutes for 2 damn beers, something is seriously wrong here. I even refrained from drinking any alcohol at dinner because I thought I'd be able to get my drink on at the show. Oh how wrong I was! I had to nurse that one beer for the whole evening. I doubt I'll be seeing another show here again. Also, I in no way claim to know anything about bartending, but would it be easier to have little stands set up that sell just beer on ice and leave the bar for those that want mixed drinks? I know that would be less frustrating for the customers, but I don't know how doable it is from the venue's standpoint. read more

This venue absolutely sucks. Over sold seating. No room for those here and more still poor in. An absolute S* hole. I will never see a show here again. I don't if John Lennon and Kurt Cobain came back from the dead for one show I wouldn't see it here. The staff was rude, too. Seriously. It is that bad. read more

Grrrrrr..... I am not a fan of Austin Music Hall. I have seen two shows here, and both have been ruined by the bar. The first show I saw was seated, and we were unlucky enough to get seats right by the bar. I guess, some people enjoy paying 40 dollars a ticket to stand by the bar with their friends and talk over the music. I had to stand on the side for the show, because I could not hear over the bar noise. Second show at Austin Music hall.... New Years Eve, one of the biggest nights for drinking. The bar, understaffed, had a 30 minute long line.... and by the time the main act took the stage it had run out of beer. Not that I am much of a drinker, but it really bothered me that they could be so un-prepared. Half (not exaggerating) the crowd left to go drink and party somewhere else out of frustration, it was sad to bring in the new year with an unhappy crowd and a "large" act playing to a crowd of 500 people. If you plan on going here, make sure to get a seat FAR AWAY from the bar..... and drink before hand! read more

Let's be honest with each other, this is nearly the worst venue in Austin. The Back Room was better than this, including the potential Death By Biker. The seating is atrocious. Good luck finding a place to stand in the bleachers. Good luck seeing the stage once you do find a place to stand in the bleachers. Once you do, and if you do, you're right at armpit and fart-wafting levels. I imagine that if you dig through the ground this place was built on, there's a giant dinosaur turd, still releasing its stench. The music. Any venue's sight lines, being sold over occupancy, and/or garlic odor that would kill a horse, can be made up for with great sound. This is the Austin Music Hall, it has to have FANTASTIC sound, just given the name, right? No. I don't know how they even keep 'music' in the name. By the time the sweet, sweet sounds of your favorite band's tunes bounce around this square box of tonal failure, you're not sure if you're listening to the band's music alone, or if someone's also running 50 juicers and piping them through the 'speakers'. This place is an insult to the bands that play it. New Order? Weezer? Pick your favorite band and type of music, it all runs off the stage like the sewage goo in Ghostbusters 2. I'm a little depressed having to write this review, but people (especially those coming to visit Austin as a music destination) need to know. There are probably dozens of people who dedicate their hours to making The Austin Music Hall the best venue possible. I'm sorry for them, I'm sure they're doing their best. Without a tear down and rebuild, I'm afraid that this tower of elephant dung is as good as it's going to get. read more

This should not be referred to a music hall, it's an embarrassment to put the name Austin Music Hall on this venue. The reasons are very simple: This was NOT designed with music in mind and the acoustics are a joke. Seating is atrocious, it's a freaking 2 story square with obstructions everywhere. Next time hire a theater architect with a sound engineer :( read more

I had warned my friends about this venue, we had LOW expectations. but I had to admit, for the New Order show july 19th, we didn't really have any problems. the sound was ok, it wasn't unbearibly hot, the drink and restroom lines were completely reasonable. one usher did tell my friend "you can't be in that area, it's for handicapped and retards only". I guess I fit into that area because I enjoyed the show from the "handicapped and retard" section. read more

Worst venue ever! Horrible sound Horrible sight lines (Plan on not being able to see the performer) Horrible staff Do yourself a favor, don't go. If you are a performer, do you fans a favor and don't book this absolute joke of a venue in a city filled with outstanding venues! read more

The music sounded great thanks to two great bands, ie The National and Local Natives. Worse venue in Austin I have been to. Horribly organized and the 10 million fix up seemed to just make it worse. We sat in the top section...or rather stood, which is fine...we like to dance...we just happened to luck out and get a clear view to the stage. If you go in the future...try to sit in the middle section, first two rows....or just wait until the music starts and then you can rush the balcony to get a good shot at a goof view. Do not go here unless you have to...which in this case we did to see two of our favorite bands.... read more

Packed in like sardines for the New Order show. It's well known that this place filed for bankruptcy and is now run by a bank. If you think a bank who's holding a business they don't want cares if they over-sell a show regardless if the patrons are comfortable or not then you're probably stoopid enough to see another show here. read more

Look, there are some things you just can't help doing. For me, that's constant comparisons. I just can't resist comparing what was then and what is now. It's a big city, things change over time, but Austin has reached its highest popularity ever. Meaning things change faster than I can keep up with who is feuding with who. First time at Austin Music Hall? Circa 2002. Since then, it has changed considerably! This area was so sparsely populated by any businesses that it's hard for me to appreciate or rave about this area now. Previously was quite the dive before the renovation. It's got the same name but it's not really the same place at all. It wants to be something its not but it will always be that little kid that was overlooked when it came time to choose members for the kickball team. The downstairs space is large, and the balcony upstairs doesn't appeal to me at all. I've said it before and I'll say it again: You don't go to concerts to sit down. In my opinion, the upstairs looks cheaply made and undeniably unsteady. The concert-goers directly above us were really into the show and were banging too hard on the wooden railing which scared me that it might collapse and fall down onto people. That crappy railing just looked so damn flimsy to me and out of place. The sound is lacking. It could be that the floor is not the proper kind to hold such a large space in that at time it seems like it somewhat echoes. It just sounded off. The stage was pretty with the lights in the background, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be something it's not. Most shocking goes to the unbelievably steeply priced drinks! Two mixed drinks came out to a whopping $24! I know concert venues always have overpriced drinks, but that was just uncalled for. This space is just A-OK in my humble, honest, concert-going expert opinion. read more

Saw Jonsi here. The venue closed off the mezzanine/upper area, denying all of us entry. Instead, the floor was unnecessarily packed, hot, uncomfortable, loud, and generally ruinous. What a great show, what a stupid job by the venue. Tickets were 30 bucks, which apparently is just not enough to let people sit down or have a different view. Sitting for this show would have been perfect given the type of music. I will skip events here in the future. Besides being expensive, venues like this just treat you like an inconvenience. read more

Being a self proclaimed audio file it's safe to say that I attend live music shows like Oprah gives away money. I have been to countless venues in many states and I am sad to see that Austin Music Hall is Austin's only mid level capacity choice in Austin. For being the "Live Music Capitol of the World" I expect a lot more from/for us. The venue itself isn't designed well at all. The person the designed it has clearly never been to a show and doesn't understand that you would like to; A) Hear some fantastic sound in your ears B) See the band In short the sound is terrible no matter where you are in the venue and if you are sitting up top I hope poles are as interesting to you as the band. I just don't really understand how these two things aren't REALLY important when thinking about the live music experience. That being said the drinks are a joke, I actually laughed when I learned how much one Lonestar cost (the same as a six pack) and the venue staff are... well, I think they would be better suited for the Post Office or DPS. It's a disappointing venue to say the least and I have a hard time thinking that bands themselves aren't going to start to back off. Sorry AMH, I really wanted to like you, but you are a terrible date. read more

Good news/bad news. The bad news is that unless you arrive several hours before the show starts, there's no way you're getting a spot on the balcony where you can actually see the stage (or anything besides the back of someone's head). The good news is that there are a higher than average number of bars on the second floor that can help you drown your sorrows of not being able to see the performance you paid $50 for. Unless you somehow find some cheaper "obscured view" tickets, I would avoid the balcony at all costs. read more

I went to the Willy Nelson & friends Christmas concert at the music hall. I was really looking forward to checking out the remodel. Well, the remodel was great. The new policy's...not so much. 1) Ticket's say door's at 7 PM. Doors were actually at 6. A band was already playing at 7. 2) They have a no "in/out" policy and there is no food. So, once locked in and told that Willy wouldn't be going on until 10 PM (btw, this info was posted NO WHERE!) They wait until they have you locked in before springing that one on you. You have to sit and starve, can't leave and get food and come back in. What a horrible policy. If I wanted to go to a lock in, I would go back to Middle school. If I wanted to starve to death and not get to see the headliner until 4 hours after doors open, I would...I would not spend $60 and just stay home. So, not worth it! NOTE: Willy was great as always. I will just go elsewhere to see him. read more

Not much of an improvement on the old AMH. It's still a warehouse with boomy acoustics, poor viewing angles and awkward seating. The expensive drinks (and tickets) will have me anxiously awaiting the next 'Backyard' I think it has potential as a dance club of sorts - bring in some stages, poles, cages, etc. read more

- my bag was searched by basically making me take every item out. It was super unnecessary. - it was SO cold. It was about 50 degrees outside and I dressed for that. I was in a crowd of hundreds and was shaking all night. I was never able to take my jacket off. - it's so dark. The balcony is like a danger zone especially for clumsy people. It would be great if they could put some lights on the floor like at the movies. - the bar was weak sauce. - you couldn't see the band from really any point on the balcony. I would only come back for someone super super amazing. read more

Just saw another show here, and while the venue didn't seem as terrible as it did last time (the crowd was slightly less packed) it wasn't much better. The beer selection is actually decent now, and the prices aren't too horribly insane (like say, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion in the Woodlands). Still, there's little or no slope to the main floor, so you better hope nobody taller than you is up front (though it was nice to have the woman behind me say "you're too tall!"). I tried to make space for her after that. If you are much shorter than 6', you will probably not enjoy a show here. Oh, and you'd think in "the Live Music Capital of the World" patrons would be semi-well behaved, but no--tons of people pushing their way to the front, (then back out again, then back up again...etc.), people wanting to make a video of every song with a cell phone in front of your face, people checking Facebook during songs they didn't know, and drunkards pushing into people and hollaring at each other througout the concert. Ugh, come on people. I'm not saying stand still and be a church mouse, but at least be aware there are others around you who, you know, want to hear the band. read more