The tent with a difference (The O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome))

Member Name: shaney99

Product:	The O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome)
Date:	30/07/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Acoustics, Plenty of space, selection of bars/restuarants.

Disadvantages: Cost of food

The O2 Arena, arising from the bad press of the Millennium Dome, comes one of the top entertainment venues in the world, with it's adaptibility to host not only concerts but a wide variety of sports and shows the O2 manages to create an experience like no other, from Acoustically perfect music systems and design for concerts to what could be the inside of an American Basketball stadium, the "hollowed out" ampitheate-esque design allows for floor space to be utilised by the show or as extra audience space.

But it's not just the Arena itself that is impressive it's the whole placade of bars and restuarants around the outside of the arena that make it so unique.

**Getting There**

Situated on the Greenwich peninsula, The O2 is served by the Jubilee line*, stopping at North Greenwich tube station the Arena is a 5 minute walk behind you, unmissable for even the most travel weary person.

Alternatively people travelling via London Waterloo or London Bridge have the added option of getting one of the O2 specific Thames Clippers, 20 minutes along the Thames, perfect for those who travel into London less and want to arrive in an alternative and more relaxed way.

Local bus routes also serve the O2, and there is always the option of driving, parking at the O2 costs £5, not too dear but beware of long arduous queues getting back out.

* During 2009 the Jubilee line is closed during Saturdays and Sundays for upgrade work, Whilst the O2 do provide free shuttle boats from East india Quay DLR station this method is time consuming and car travel is your safer bet at making the last train home after a late show.

**The Outer walkway**

Outside the Arena but inside the dome is the almost Americanised/Holiday-esque stream of restuarants and bars, during nights when teh main arena is in use these are overcrowded and impossible to get seats, pre-booking and early arrival is extremely advised.

Also along this outer shell of such is the much smaller and intimate "Indigo2" arena with a capacity just over 2000 this acts as a great aftershow and clubnight venue but also has hosted smaller album launch gigs by among others Usher, Ne-Yo, Boyz II Men and many more. With seating upstairs you do have the choice to rest on a seat and avoid the hustle in the standing only below, however you do miss out on a large amount of the atmosphere downstairs and even the chance to maybe bump into a celeb (Anton Ferdinand in my case).

Incased along this walk is also a Multiscreen cinema, again in the hours before a show this can become busy (especially new releases), as with all cinema's pre-booking is best to guarentee you get a seat.

**The Arena **

After sampling the delights of the outer ring, you make your way into the Arena, (once admitted there is no re-admission), however this is not an issue unless you have left something you need in the car or at the restuarant you were just at, as there is plenty of toilet and food facilities within the Arena complex itself.

Food, as with any other one company venue is pricey (being near central London is not bound to help costwise etiher), with a burger and chips meal costing around £7 (unlike some places the burgers are actually flling and rather large)
Drinks range from £3 to £6 for the more general products, club prices apply for sprits etc (although selection is minimal)

Also upstairs on the level 4 floor you can find the souvenir stand (there is a small one located on the first floor)
As with any touring artists prices are on the hefty side (think £25 for a simple printed t-shirt that you'd usually pay a tenner max for), in general there is a fair selection but this is dependant on the artist / show performing and can only be used as a very very rough idea of prices.

Once inside the Arena, you'll find your seat to be comfortable with a fair amount of leg room (during concerts when you'll inevitably be standing you find you have an abundance of space) the tiering between rows is very generous too meaning even if you do get the lurch like monsters in front you wont miss anything (obviously sat on the ground floor during some shows you will be screwed)

with a capacity around 20,000 dependant on floor space being used the arena provides a create venue for the performer and for the crowd, the noise levels can get really high but somehow instead of deafening you make you feel involved and in a buzzing atmosphere.
The soundsystem really is one of the best in the business, providing a great acoustical surround sound off the venue, even at the back you won't miss a beat.

For sporting shows (NBA basketball, WWE Wrestling) the arena really does feel more enclosed and like that of a purpose built sports venue, being close to the action. I expect this is the same for the more lavish shows which i havent attended yet, but i can't see the O2 failing on that point.

The staff are all friendly, and often will be on "your" side, for example some artists don't want flash photography (most people ignore this anyways) but we've had venue staff telling us as long as he doesn't see the flash record what you like. Granted perhaps not the hoenst thing to do but makes a change from the do as i say brigade that have ruined other events.

**Summary**

For me the O2 has more advantages than disadvantages and is among the best venues in the world. Acoustically brilliant, ample selection of bars (albeit busy bars) and a truly unique evening out if experienced to the full. Yes the food is a bit pricey but this is the same nationwide in self serving / branded attractions (think cinemas pick 'n' mix, Theme parks), so can it really be held that strongly against it?

Some may love it some may hate it for me it's the best venue certainly in Europe, possibly worldwide, capable of bringing the greatest artists in the world through it's doors, this is highlighted none more so than the unfortunately Ill-fated Michael Jackson concerts, only a premium venue is capable of pulling in the likes of MJ and Diana Ross amongst more modern day stars.

Give it a go you just may be surprised.

Summary: A Dome of entertainment