Live Venue Valuation: A Plentiful Harvest

UlasanAnime.com – For those who attend concerts infrequently, the quality of a venue is determined by a few key criteria. Ultimately, a venue is considered good if I enjoyed my experience there and am likely to enjoy it again in the future. This approach is similar to the “tears” criteria.

if I cried in it then it’s kami

— Ryan (@Disgaeamad) October 28, 2019

That being said, every venue has excellent seats, and one can have a profound experience anywhere. However, I don’t believe this should automatically make every venue good. Instead, the assessment should focus on how good the seats are for any given individual attending an event there.

In Japan, I tend to favor taller venues. This is because stacking people vertically creates a greater sense of intimacy. Additionally, it means shorter individuals are not always disadvantaged. It also results in more seats offering acceptable views, even though the difference between the best seats in different venues might not be significant.

As I get older and place less emphasis on optimizing my experience based solely on cost, I also come to appreciate amenities such as ease of transportation, the variety and availability of restaurants near the venue, and the quality of the seats. I particularly dislike this aspect of the Javitz Center in Manhattan because it is somewhat isolated and not well-served by subway stops. In Japan, I once sat in uncomfortable seats, and as a larger person in a country of generally slim individuals, venues with comfortable seating are highly valued.

Following proximity and amenities is the fidelity of the performance. To clarify, every live show should align with expectations. For a band performing live, it is the musical performance itself that creates engagement with the group on stage. For a typical band, such as fhana in the context of anisong, it means engaging with the act through its performance, which is conveyed via the sound and the band’s actions on stage (primarily, producing that sound). For “karaoke-style shows,” which are common for idol-character content, it is the voice actors’ dancing and bringing their characters to life on stage (this also heavily relies on sound, but to a lesser extent). For elaborate light-and-sound shows, it can also involve what I term “production value,” encompassing lights, on-stage displays, fireworks, and so forth. If Mizuki Nana wishes to perform her song while atop a whale, more power to her.

These elements are not intrinsically tied to the venue, but the venue can enhance or detract from the fidelity of the experience. If you are positioned at the very back of a flat arena or an outdoor field and are watching the show via a screen, it diminishes the experience. You might still witness the full event, but it won’t be as impactful as being close enough to forgo the screen. This is just one example. Generally, this relates to intimacy, but some smaller venues can still present irritating aspects that degrade the experience through poor sound staging, blind spots (often caused by support pillars), or peculiar acoustics. Conversely, some venues can elevate the experience with excellent sound quality or unique features, such as utilizing the dome’s roof for laser light shows.

Therefore, my calculation is as follows: what are the chances that by entering this pre-sale lottery, I will be able to purchase tickets that grant me an assigned seat that is not subpar? To use my most recent concert as an example, which was held at Tokyo Dome, it is safe to assume that a significant majority of seats would not be ideal due to its large capacity. However, the question remains: how many seats are still acceptable to good? If this number is substantial, it indicates that the venue is on its way to being considered a good one.

You might also be interested in : Araoto: A Metaphor for Workplace Dynamics

(As a side note, what constitutes a good seat in a massive venue? The performance and performers move around extensively. If you are in Block A of the arena, you might get a close view frequently, but it could become no better than, say, Block F of the arena if the performers move to the center stage. It might even be worse if they are not facing you. This is the kind of factor that influences the calculation. And yes, it varies depending on the type of show, if I haven’t made that point clear yet.)

What makes Tokyo Dome, in my opinion, a decent dome venue is its relatively modern seating, particularly in areas closer to home plate. It is also a very vertically structured ballpark (similar to many modern ballparks), so even in the second or third tiers, there’s a sense of proximity to the action. This, combined with its prime location and nearby amenities, makes it a good venue. The fact that it is temperature-controlled is also a significant advantage! I had a seat in Block G of the arena for one day, and the view was acceptable from that seat, which was in the rearmost arena block. While I did need to rely on the screen, it was not a terrible experience.

Proximity: 6/10 – It’s a massive baseball stadium, but fairly close even on the upper levels.
Amenity: 8/10 – Convenient, centrally located, modern.
Fidelity: 7/10 – Better sound than the average venue of this size. Flexible production capabilities.
Odds of getting an OK seat (OOGAOS, or OogaOs, or Oog@Os) – Fair.

Allow me to rank other venues from my event trips this year as a sample.

Javitz Center Special Events Hall

Located on the lower level of the main building, this venue accommodates over 3000 people and is better suited for presentations than live concerts, though it can be used for them. The lower ceiling can be a limitation for certain types of events, but the size is appropriate, and the floor is carpeted.

Proximity: 4 – Below average for this type of convention venue. It feels quite large. Even from the front, I believe there’s too much of a gap, but the upside is that the taller stage makes it easier to see from the back.
Amenity: 5 – I dislike the Javitz as a venue, but the venue itself offers many facilities, even if they aren’t exceptional.
Fidelity: 5 – Pretty average overall.
OogaOs – Decent. The back seats are quite acceptable.

Saitama Super Arena

I’ve been here numerous times, and many memories are attached to it. It’s a large, multi-functional venue with movable walls, and it looks impressive from the Shinkansen as you travel north. Its capacity can range from 4,000 to 30,000. Most of the time, I experience it in its Arena 2 configuration.

Proximity: 5 – Truly the most average of large indoor venues of this type.
Amenity: 5 – Quite average, but there are many amenities nearby to make do. After all, it’s a 30,000-person venue. The seats are just okay.
Fidelity: 4 – The venue’s flexibility is a plus, but the soundstage is just adequate. If it’s a larger configuration than Arena 2, the experience at the back becomes chaotic.
OogaOs – Not good. It’s simply too large and elongated.

Palais des congrès de Montréal – Ballroom (200 level)

Notes: This is a typical convention hall without any special features. I suppose the seats are comfortable? They sound alright, but proximity to the stage is crucial. Otakuthon is held here.

Proximity: 5 – Nothing special about this expo hall-style venue, apart from the convention building itself.
Amenity: 5 – Nothing special about this, other than being downtown Montreal and near Chinatown. Nothing that elevates the venue.
Fidelity: 5 – It sounds fine if you are in the front.
OogaOs – Fair, perhaps slightly higher. A wide stage is in effect.

Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Main Events Hall

Notes: This is the top-floor concert hall of the convention center. It boasts better acoustics than your average hall and is quite large. When people jump, the floor vibrates. Otakon relocated here a few years ago.

Proximity: 5 – Nothing special compared to other venues of this type.
Amenity: 6 – Nice convention seats, downtown DC offers many attractions. However, ingress and egress are not ideal.
Fidelity: 6 – Sounds pretty good for what it is.
OogaOs – Fair.

The Novo (concert hall)

This is also a multi-functional space. The VIP lounge upstairs can be combined with the concert space to provide second-floor seating. I have experienced and reviewed both configurations. The Novo was formerly known as Club Nokia, then Club Microsoft. Hilarious. Anime Expo utilizes this venue, along with one inside LACC and sometimes the Microsoft Theater.

Proximity: 9 – For a space that can accommodate between 500 and 2,400 people, it feels remarkably intimate. It might even be more intimate than some small venues in Manhattan. This is partly due to its vertical design and its semi-spherical layout.
Amenity: 7 – It’s in DTLA, it’s nice and plush (unless you have to pay for parking). The venue occasionally offers world-class lounges, showcasing its potential. However, it is showing its age.
Fidelity: 9 – The sound quality is excellent, and even the side seats upstairs offer good audio and visual experiences. However, in terms of flexibility, it remains more akin to a club or a small venue than a full-fledged concert hall.
OogaOs – Very good.

Marine Messe Fukuoka

Many semi-large venues in Japan are similar to this—essentially glorified gymnasium spaces. If you’ve watched sports-oriented anime featuring regional high school qualifier rounds, you might have seen depictions of such venues. This venue in Fukuoka is actually more refined than most of its type.

Proximity: 6 – I’d say it’s somewhat distant regardless of your location, but it’s not an expansive space, so even from the furthest points, the view is manageable.
Amenity: 6 – Located within the city proper, it’s a fair walk from Hakata JR. There are inexpensive bus options available. However, there are no other nearby stops. It’s slightly more upscale than other Japanese gym-like venues, likely because Fukuoka is a major city.
Fidelity: 6 – Not exceptional, but better than other gym-type spaces. This is probably due to the roof design.
OogaOs – It’s acceptable, primarily because flatness is prevalent, and despite the addition of bleacher-style seating, you will likely end up in the arena. At least you are not too far regardless of your seating position.

Atlantic City Convention Center – Hall A/Special Events Hall

This is a quintessential convention hall venue. It’s even less ideal because it is wider than it is deep.

Proximity: 5 – It’s a bit far for a convention hall, but pretty average. Given the hall’s width exceeding its depth, access is likely adequate.
Amenity: 7 – It offers some amenities, and there are numerous places within a short walk. Ample parking is available, and it’s connected to a train station. If you can reach Atlantic City, these are minor concerns.
Fidelity: 3 – It’s terrible, frankly. I suppose the positive aspect is that, even so, you can be close to the speakers and stage due to the wide layout. And there are no dead spots.
OogaOs – Good. The queue is fairly easy, but due to the configuration’s width, you might frequently find yourself on the side.

Toronto Congress Centre – ??

In past years, Anime North utilized both the North Hall and the South Hall side hall. I’m unsure of the specific name, but it’s accessible from the Radisson side of the convention. It’s another typical convention hall, but the smaller space in the South Hall is more intimate than most convention halls. The North Hall’s main event space is quite good, but for this post, I am primarily discussing the South Hall venue.

Proximity: 4 – You are close enough even halfway into the hall. Pretty average in that respect, I suppose. However, it’s a rather deep venue.
Amenity: 5 – Free parking and proximity to the airport are advantages. The area outside is quite run-down, though. I can’t imagine navigating this convention on foot easily. There are some nicer places to hang out or eat not too far away, but then again, you might need a car.
Fidelity: 3 – It’s terrible, frankly. I suppose the positive aspect is that, even so, you can be close to the speaker and stage due to the wide layout. And there are no dead spots.
OogaOs – Good. You can camp out, and it’s not too bad for the draws this convention offers.

Hyatt Regency O’Hare – Grand Ballroom

This is a large ballroom located on the ground floor of a 4-star hotel. Honestly, it feels more like a corporate convention than anything else, LOL. This room is also wider than it is deep, but the sound quality is more tolerable due to carpeting and other factors.

Proximity: 6 – It’s pretty good, above average, compared to typical large ballrooms. But it’s still more of a large ballroom than anything else.
Amenity: 5 – It’s a “walk/drive” type of convention. The hotel provides some amenities, but, well. While the venue is near O’Hare airport, just outside Chicago proper, it’s quite a hassle to go anywhere else.
Fidelity: 5 – It’s just okay. The sheer size somewhat hinders it, but they install proper speakers in this kind of setup, so things still function.
OogaOs – Above average. You can camp out, and it’s not too bad for the draws this convention offers.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre – Constitution Hall

I attended IFF Toronto this year, and they used this convention center. In the basement level, there was a more upscale event space used for concerts, with expanded seating that rolled towards the back of the room. Parts of the carpet had hard material placed on top for “wota” activities.

Proximity: 5 – You are in a convention center room with carpet and laminate flooring.
Amenity: 7 – Not much inside, but all of downtown Toronto is outside. A very good location in many ways.
Fidelity: 5 – Nothing special.
OogaOs – Average. You can camp out, and it’s not too bad for the draws this convention offers.

Maihama Amphitheater

Located near Tokyo Disney, this venue is essentially a semi-circle with the stage extending inwards, and seats surrounding it. It is also quite small. The disproportionately large stage relative to the venue size allows for some interesting configurations. This venue is also featured in the PSVR game THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Viewing Revolution, so you can get a sense of it yourself.

Proximity: 8 – You are up close. If the performers set up at the back of the stage, there is a large area. However, they can come right up to the edge of the stage, which is literally next to the first row.
Amenity: 6 – The seats are large enough for my American build, plus, it’s adjacent to a shopping mall.
Fidelity: 7 – The sound is somewhat acceptable, but it varies significantly depending on where you sit. Proximity helps a lot with this, but there’s a low-fi vibe to this place that I can’t shake.
OogaOs – Very good. Depending on the show, there might not be any bad seats in this venue. The worst is when you are all the way to the side.

Shimokitazawa Garden

A true “hole-in-the-wall” establishment in Shimokitazawa. As the crow flies, it’s about a minute from the metro stop, but it takes about 5 minutes to walk there. Regardless, it’s a tiny venue that’s good for crowding.