The VH Trade Site Forums Archives

[VHLIVE]

Sun 11.25.07 San Diego, CA Cox Arena

[ron]

Ticket prices: $58.75-$153.25

[Vince G.]

For anyone interested in attending this show, here's some tips/info I've posted elsewhere:

Anyone who attends this show, heads up:

1. This venue sucks in terms of sound. I've attended, and worked, countless shows at this venue. Due to its small size, and VH's deafening sound, expect to have your ears bleeding when you exit the show.

2. When buying your tix, do your best to avoid any and all seating towards the top tier. You won't have an actual seat in this area, it'll be a concrete bench that spans the entire length of the arena. I believe the top 5-10 rows are concrete. That'll be hard on your ass and back for 2 1/2 hours.

3. It's located on a college campus, so be prepared for some serious traffic. It'll be a clusterfuck. You also have the campus cops to worry about, in addition to regular PD. And, frat houses are everywhere, so watch out for inebriated college pukes.

4. It's a very small indoor venue; it seats about 12,000, and its main purpose is for college basketball games, so that should give you an idea of what you're in store for. Given the stage setup, this is going to be pretty tight fit for everyone in terms of seating and view. I hate to make this comparison, but I worked a Britney Spears show a few years back, and she had a stage setup similar to what VH is using this tour. It was basically like trying to stuff 50 lbs of shit into a 10 lb bag. The floor area is small, so the stage came out quite a ways into the floor/crowd area, and those who had seats on the side faired somewhat decent. Anyone who had a seat in the upper seats/loge located directrly across from the stage had a fantastic view of everything. So, I imagine it'll be the same thing here.

5. Security really sucks. It's no longer handled by Staff Pro, which was San Diego's top event security. It's now handled by Elite Security. They're licensed for carrying handcuffs, and they look for any excuse to use them. Cox Arena has instructed Elite to maintain a firm "hands off" policy, but so has every other venue they've worked for, and I never saw them obey it. While Staff Pro did everything they could to avoid having to put their hands on you, unless it was absolutely necessary, Elite won't hesitate to. Not to badmouth my (former) military bretheren, but Elite does employ a lot of military who are moonlighting, and, for the most part, the military they employ are actually pretty decent about restraining themselves and not going overboard. Unless, however, you get a Marine or some idiot steroid freak. They do tend to get overzealous in the performance of their duties, and it's those types that really look forward to working concerts so they can "knock some heads". Not only that, but Elite's management sucks, and they are highly unorganized. Elite does NOT have a lot of concert experience, as opposed to Staff Pro, and it will show when you attend this gig. If any guard does anything you feel isn't right, they are all required to wear a badge with their name, employee ID#, and photo imprinted on it, so it'll be easy to report them if need be.

I used to work for Elite while I was stationed in San Diego the last few years before I retired. I was a supervisor for them and saw a lot of this firsthand. This isn't the ramblings of a disgruntled fired/former employee. I had to quit that job when I took up duty as an MP because it would conflict with my military schedule. I just wanted to let everyone know what to expect before they go.

And, be sure park your car in a well-lit area within the venue. Parking at the venue is free, but do not attempt to cut corners and park your car in the surrounding neighborhoods. It'll wind up towed or broken into. Residents in the area do have stickers on their windshield indicating they live there, and they will call the police if they see a car without a sticker on it. It happens constantly. The best parking is in the high-rise parking garage located directly behind the venue, but they tend to be finicky about when you can park there, especially since this concert is happening during the school year. The college area does attract a lot of crime, too, unfortunately.

Unless you plan on taking a chance and park out in the street, all the parking is done on campus since the venue is located on campus as well. And campus security is everywhere, literally, so that squashes any tailgating plans right there. Through all the shows I attended and worked at that venue, I don't ever recall seeing ANY tailgating happening ANYWHERE. You've got the regular flunky campus security, the campus police, and San Diego PD in that area. I wouldn't even attempt it. Also, absolutely no beer or alcohol sales are done at this venue.

Here's a link to the venue's site:

http://www.as.sdsu.edu/cox_arena/index2.html

If you want to get bite to eat prior to, or after, the show, there are a few good eateries in the college area. There's a really cool pace called "D.Z. Aikens" off the 8 FWY on Fletcher Parkway. It's a NY style deli/restaurant,and you get your money's worth. There are also a few good mom an' pop Mexican restaurants near the college area as well.

[ron]

[onfire]

Hey Vince What Are The Odds Someone Could Get Recording Equipment Into This Arena( Audio Or Video)?

Onfire

[Vince G.]

onfire wrote: Hey Vince What Are The Odds Someone Could Get Recording Equipment Into This Arena( Audio Or Video)?

Onfire

Fairly good.

Sometimes they use wands, sometimes they don't. If you're going with a female friend, ask her to hide your stuff for you like my wife does. If the wand goes off, have her tell them it's an underwire bra.

Works each and every time.

[onfire]

Anyone Else Going To This Show?

Onfire :confused:

[SpiderDan13]

I'll be there! When I only had the choice between LA and San Diego, I chose San Diego... than they had to go an add 2 Anaheim shows. Damn, my wallet is hurting.

[onfire]

Ive Got A Room Down There! Let's Party!!! Where Are Your Seats? I Have Floor Seats Section HHH Row 5 Seats 9&10.

Onfire

[SpiderDan13]

onfire wrote: Ive Got A Room Down There! Let's Party!!! Where Are Your Seats? I Have Floor Seats Section HHH Row 5 Seats 9&10.

Onfire
I'm in GGG Row 4!

[onfire]

SpiderDan13 wrote: onfire wrote: Ive Got A Room Down There! Let's Party!!! Where Are Your Seats? I Have Floor Seats Section HHH Row 5 Seats 9&10.

Onfire
I'm in GGG Row 4!

Let's Stay In Touch & Set Something Up! It Would Be Fun To Hang Out With Fellow VHT Members. We Can Sip A Few Beers Or A Little Of The "OLD # 7" Before The Show!!! :thumb:

Onfire :p

[Ballistica]

I so want to go to this show. I overslept and by the time I got on the good tix were gone. :furious:

I'll be seeing Down the night before in Vegas, and wanted to come home and catch some VH. I guess it's off to StubHub to look for a deal for me and my buddy.

[onfire]

Ballistica wrote: I so want to go to this show. I overslept and by the time I got on the good tix were gone. :furious:

I'll be seeing Down the night before in Vegas, and wanted to come home and catch some VH. I guess it's off to StubHub to look for a deal for me and my buddy.

I Know Where You Can Get Tix!!! PM Me!!!

Onfire :thumb:

[dmb5150]

Hey everyone, I have 2 tickets to Van Halen in San Diego 11-25-07 for sale. Sec S Row 6 Seats 3 & 4. If you are interested PM me! Face Value is all I want.

Dave

[dmb5150]

Tickets are sold!!!!

Dave