Darren D.
Yelp
I've been to about 8 concerts at the Bomb Factory (more if you count it's previous incarnation), and I have to say: This venue is one to AVOID. Not at all costs, mind you. There may be certain events that might be tolerable at the Bomb Factory. More on this below.
Pros:
- Decent amount of security & staff, especially for larger events.
- The venue is not trashy.
- Some say the BoFac is band-friendly (many green rooms, workout room, blah blah).
Cons:
Just about everything else. So, while the Bomb Factory may be great if you're a member of the 3-5 person band, it's an awful experience for the other 4000 people in the crowd.
In my 8 visits to the Bomb Factory, I've seen at least 5 different seating setups.
From mostly GA (General Admission), to multiple reserved sections + reserved seats.
And there's no way to determine exactly HOW the venue will be configured for most shows. My guess: Bomb Factory staff doesn't know either, until the day of.
Here's the breakdown (see my posted seating chart):
RESERVED SUITES
For almost every show, there's a section UPSTAIRS (on your right as you face the stage) that is a series of 8 reserved areas. These "suites" are not enclosed in any way, but they do have their own private bar. For big shows, these might run $1500, and "seat" 8-12 people. I've been in a suite twice, and honestly, it's one of the FEW ways to enjoy a show at the Bomb Factory. But, it's actually not that great. Why? Because the suites are perpendicular to the stage, and run along the side of the venue, right up to the right-front corner of the stage. In every OTHER venue, these would be "side balcony" seats and wouldn't command a premium.
But at the Bomb Factory, there are NO GOOD seats, so this is as good as it gets. Wanna buy a suite for your friends? Good luck. Fill out a form and pray for a response, and a stable price.
If you're lucky enough to get invited to a suite, most of the music fans there will push towards the stage and crowd up against the rail in the frontmost corner. Right above your head is ONE of the two massive stereo arrays of ceiling-suspended loud speakers. Care for a monaural concert anyone? Yeah, it sounds terrible, and it's loud. But the best thing is about the suite? You can lord over the poor schleps on the floor...
The FLOOR:
For large concerts, there will be 2000+ people on a standing on a hard concrete floor, for the entire concert.
- Need to grab another beer? Go to the restroom after the 13th song? Forget about it.
- Plan to arrive at 7pm for a 9pm show? You will literally be standing behind 2000 people.
- Are you shorter than 6 foot 2 inches? You will not see any band members until you go to the restroom. You are a floor schlep.
Upstairs VIP:
This sounds ideal, right? You don't have 100s of dollars for a suite, but you enjoy watching others suffer while you have a clear view of the stage from up-on-high.
The problem? You simply never know when OR how the upstairs will be set up.
Did you buy a GA ticket for an indie-folk band, hoping to arrive early and claim a "free" spot upstairs? Too bad. Management didn't sell that many tickets, and the ENTIRE upstairs is CLOSED. You are a floor schlep.
Did you buy a ticket to an indie-electronic band (Purity Ring) and arrive early to head upstairs? Too bad, it's Friday night, and fans were standing in line at 11am (no joke) and grabbed all the spots upstairs. You are a floor schlep.
Did you pony up an extra $20 for an VIP Upstairs GA ticket for a popular band (Death Cab) because you wanted a clear view? Too bad. Management sold "reserved" seats in all the nice tiered rows, and blocked off the left-side for reserved seats, and created new "reserved suites" on the far side... because they could. You are an "upper floor" schlep, on the floor above the lower schleps. You still CANNOT see anything.
Oddly enough, IF the upstairs is OPEN to GA, and you can run to the far left side, you'll have similar seating to the big wigs across the venue in the Reserved Suites. Or, you can grab the first couple of rows upstairs in the VIP section. Downside? You are VERY far away from the stage.
VIP Seats:
In certain rare circumstances, management decides to sell reserved seats upstairs. I've never actually seen these for sale online. But, I've seen people sitting in them. If you're lucky, they're open to GA. But if you're not, going upstairs doesn't really buy you anything. You are a floor schlep.
RESERVED Floor Seats:
In even more rare circumstances, management has arranged 1000 floor seats for purchase. Bad news: everyone is standing and you STILL can't see across the 100 yards of heads. You are a floor schlep. But, with more room to move around, and a chance to go to the restroom.
So, is there ever a reason to buy a Bomb Factory ticket? Generally, NO.
But, there are times when it might be tolerable:
- You LOVE a band, and are willing to spend the ENTIRE DAY outside waiting in line.
- You like a mosh pit environ, electronica, or metal.