Recommends

Joe Blo

Joined 3 years ago

Best place to see a concert. Best concert experiences ever here. You just need to know the tricks. Park where you can get out, not way in the back where you will stumble in to if you don't know any better. Buy reserved tickets or get there before gate opening, and there are two gates, the side gate is usually less of a line. Food is expensive but worth it. Booze is too expensive. You can take unopened bottles of water in and your blanket or chair to most concerts. Get there early, put your chair and blanket down, and hide some booze in a flask or pay their outrageous prices. The acoustics and the lake and trees make it a wonderful experience unless it's death metal, then no, it will not work!

Recommends

Peggisue

Joined 5 years ago

RocknRoll Hall of Fame concert, Sat. May 1, 2010. This was my first time at KBA, and it was awesome. We had such a good time...Georgia Satellites, Cheap Trick, Dave Mason, White Sox AllStars, Atlanta Rhythm Section - what a lineup! Strangely enough I wouldn't have known about his if my friend from Virginia hadn't invited me! How can friends from Virginia know and not someone who lives locally? This needs to be publicized more. Lookin' forward to seeing who's on next year's lineup!

Doesn't Recommend

raleighgirl79

Joined 4 years ago

Stick to the Symphony. Koka booth is a beautiful amphitheater. I have been to a couple of shows there and I am not sure if I will go to another "concert" there again. Who allows the construction of an amphitheater, then books artists and restricts them to a ridiculous noise ordinance? The town of Cary does. This venue is probably perfect for going to see the symphony but not for going to see your favorite artist, not if you are expecting to be immersed in music. Unless you are in the first 4 rows of seats that is not going to happen. If you sit on the lawn expect to hear the conversations around you over the music. And if you are so fortunate to pay extra for the VIP tables in the back, then I hope you are with good company! This would probably be my favorite concert venue if they would just let the artists decide the level of their music.

Doesn't Recommend

caryinsider

Joined 5 years ago

Great Music and sound. Don't Bother with " VIP " tickets. "Slow Service" and "Bad Managment". We enjoyed the rock and roll hall of fame concert on Saturday, September 21. The view from the top deck was great after they took down the tent covering the sound equipment for half the day. It was blocking the stage. I was irritated that we spent extra money for VIP tickets and could not see the show. They did take the tent down right before the well-know acts performed in the evening. The staff was very friendly. However we order some sandwiches and were informed that they were out temporarily. We decided to wait. About half an hour later we were told that there was a mistake and they were out for good. They were running out of food and the show still had several hours to go. We ordered of bottle of wine with two glasses and only received one. I walked up to the concession window and informed my waitress that we needed the other glass. She tried to get it from the bartenders and they would not give it to her. So she called over a manager to help. The manger insisted that she card me a second time. At 46 years old, I am flattered at my age to be carded at all. But this was ridiculous. The back staff needs to get their act together. Very poor management. Next time we will definitely get lawn seats and get our food and drinks ourselves. By the way, after we were told that they were out of sandwiches, we were at one of the top concession stands buying candy and found that they had sandwiches there. So much for VIP service.

Recommends

joker4ever

Joined 5 years ago

Better than walnut creek. Great place to see and hear a concert. I was at the Rock and Roll benefit concert Sept 19th and 20th.

All I can say about people standing up while the music is playing is,if a song is playing and you love it

stand up and have fun. You know your not getting any younger and your band might never come this way again. It's a Rock and Roll concert not an opera or musical. I understand you paid alot of money for that

seat and you wanted to see. What I don't get is how anyone can sit to Rock and Roll.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Summer venue treats visitors to world-class entertainment in a natural setting.. In Short
Summer concerts get scenic at this lovely outdoor venue in Cary. The unique amphitheater, truly a sight in itself with its soaring beams and modern angles, sits lakeside in the midst of hardwoods and pine trees. Parking is rarely a problem since the site has several large lots, and guests can usually bring picnics and lawn chairs to many of the shows (best to call ahead to make sure your particular show allows outside food).

Recommends

cshomaker

Joined 7 years ago

Great venue!. Beautiful venue - friendly staff - great sound! I highly recommend pre-ordering your meal; it was easy and the food was delicious. We had no problem navigating as we stayed on the lit walkways. We had lawn seating and took our chairs, but couldn't see anything of the group we went to see as the rudest people in the world stood up as the show started and didn't sit down anymore. We left before it was over as we refused to stand up for hours - don't people have manners anymore? But this wasn't the fault of the venue - although I wonder if they couldn't have asked everyone to sit down. If I go again I would sit at the table area in the back so I could see over those who stand. As for the negative reviews about attending the 4th of July festivities, it's always very crowded and parking stinks no matter where you go - duh! If you're not prepared for that, then stay home and watch fireworks on television! This amphitheater is worth the trip and I would recommend it to everyone!

Recommends

bee1

Joined 7 years ago

great show. First visit. Great show, but would not pay extra next time for reserved seating. Seats were much too close together for comfort. Will purchase lawn seating next time.

They also ran out of some food items at the concession stand prior to show.

Very friendly staff.

Doesn't Recommend

g_mann

Joined 7 years ago

Never Again. Done in typical Cary fashion.

Poorly planned and touted as being better because it is in Cary.

If you have small children, please do not even think about taking them -

Be prepared to get there extremely (hours) early if you want to find a decent parking place and a seat. And plan on 2 to 4 hours just to get out of the traffic after the show.

If you plan on arriving later, plan on parking a mile away and standing where you won't be able to hear the symphony.

It is absurdly overcrowded, the staff is on the rude side - it is Cary after all, the concession stands will be sold out of most everything, you will wait in line will be line a minimum of 30 minutes.

The fireworks display is very good though, if you manage to find a decent viewing spot.

Last but not least, you will be confined in a crowded area of people most of them calling Cary home. They seem to get worse when behind the wheel.

The celebration in Fuquay - much better.

Doesn't Recommend

1120sweetpea

Joined 8 years ago

Too small for the entertainment offered. We have waited years to get here for the raving July 4th festivities. 2005 we finally got there. What a disppointment. We could not get anywhere near the theater. Had to go a mile a way to a business park parking lot. Only to have it rain (naturally on the 4th - not blaming them of course)...but then it stopped and we got to watch the fireworks soaked with rain and a 18 mo old in our arms. But then it was time to go..... We had to wait in "gridlock" for 4 hours to get out of where we were forced to park. Why you ask...they directed the traffic for the actual theater parking first and would not let anyone turn left towards Tryon Road. The baby was miserable, it was hot, smoggy, and unnerving. Not planned properly for the amount of people they should have expected.