Awful music venue (Cardiff International Arena)

Member Name: cheekee

Product:	Cardiff International Arena
Date:	30/07/09 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good location

Disadvantages: No atmosphere, awful acoustics

I really dislike this venue, and try and stay away from it as much as possible. I literally groan with displeasure when I find out that my favourite acts are playing there, knowing that I'll probably stump up the cash to see them in this atmosphere vacuum.

The venue holds around 7500 people, so for Cardiff is the only place for bands who are too big for the University but aren't big enough for the Millenium Stadium. Some of the artists I've seen there include the Strokes, Kasabian, Muse, Kings of Leon, Oasis, Blur, Manics, Foo Fighters, the Mighty Boosh.

Let's hit the pros first - well, what pros we have. The location is great - right in the centre of Cardiff. And, uh, that's about it.

Now the cons. The place is essentially a huge school gym, and is completely void of atmosphere - this usually rubs off on the artists as well. The acoustics are also terrible. The crappy floor turns into a death trap once the (very expensive and foul) beers gets split onto the floor.

I may be a bit harsh, but I love my music and want to see the bands I like in a venue that gets the best out of them. There are plans for a new arena in the new Sports village, so fingers crossed it'll be an improvement on this hole.

Summary: Go somewhere is you can - even if it's miles away!