Working as a Box Office Employee at multiple Detroit concert venues means two things: I’ve grown to know these venues like the back of my hand, and I’ve seen a TON of live shows. In this article, I’ll be rating a few of the finest concert venues in Detroit and its surrounding areas based on navigation, amenities, seating arrangements, sound quality, and overall vibes. I’ll also throw in an insider tip so that you can have the best experience when you attend.
Little Caesar’s Arena: 7/10
Home to the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings, LCA is also a major stop for big-name tours. Located at the corner of Woodward Ave. and I-75, it’s easily accessible with four parking structures nearby. Though it’s designed to hold 20,000 guests, concert crowds are normally closer to 15,000. Inside, the massive concourse offers plenty of food and drink options, making for a convenient and fun night out.
The arena’s biggest drawback is its seating; designed as an ice arena, seating here is steep. We often see that guests in the upper bowl are surprised by how far they feel from the stage and sometimes even describe the seats as “dangerous,” requesting relocations.
I’ve seen shows for all genres of music at this venue. When it comes to sound, LCA excels with hip-hop, pop, and R&B shows, thanks to excellent loudspeakers for backing tracks and pre-recorded music. However, for the shows I’ve seen with full-band setups and live sound design, the acoustics tend to be echo-heavy, making instrument and voice clarity less sharp.
Pro Tip: Look for seats in sections 106-122, and 119-125 for the best visual and audio experience.
Pine Knob Music Theatre: 8.5/10
Pine Knob Music Theatre is located in Clarkston, Michigan, about 45 minutes from Detroit, and is one of the Midwest’s most historic summer concert venues in metro Detroit. The outdoor amphitheater holds around 15,000 guests, with a general admission lawn that creates a great summer concert vibe.
Parking is limited, with overflow in a grassy field. The times that I’ve had to park there, I’ve waited upwards of 1-2 hours to get out. As an outdoor venue, Pine Knob faces weather risks; thunder or lightning may cause a 30-minute shelter-in-place or even cancellations. Recently I attended a show that was cancelled about halfway through due to weather. Myself and guests were left disappointed, and very wet.
That being said, there’s truly no better place to be on a warm summer night. Food and drink options are abundant, and the venue shines in sound delivery, with a central sound mix providing a great audio experience for both the lawn and pavilion. Seating under the pavilion makes for a great view no matter where you are, and the lawn feels closer than it is thanks to its funnel-like shape, and large video screens displayed around the pavilion. With its atmosphere and consistently top-notch experience, Pine Knob is a must-visit.
Pro Tip: Purchase a Premier Parking Pass on Ticketmaster or from the Box Office, as the designated lot is located right by the exit. Prices vary, but it’s always worth it. You will get out in 5-10 minutes as opposed to 1-2 hours. Also, be sure to check the weather the week leading up to your show.
Michigan Lottery Amphitheater: 7.5/10
Michigan Lottery Amphitheater (Freedom Hill) is located in Sterling Heights, about 20 minutes north of Detroit. With a 7,200 capacity, this outdoor amphitheater is smaller and more intimate than other concert venues in Detroit’s surroundings.
Parking is similar to Pine Knob, with heavy post-show traffic; I’d recommend purchasing a Premier Parking Pass, which can conveniently be bought from parking attendants stationed in the lots rather than the box office. Weather can also affect shows, but Freedom Hill’s compact setup makes navigating easier.
Food and drink options are limited. They offer ballpark classics like hot dogs, pretzels, and popcorn. The lawn section is half the size of Pine Knob’s and lacks video screens, making pavilion seating a better experience. From my experience, the lawn is a little too flat and doesn’t have the funnel shape like Pine Knob, which makes the acoustics a little bit worse. The pavilion has no bad seats, providing an up-close experience with the artist. Ideal for first-time concertgoers, Freedom Hill is laid-back and easy to navigate.
Pro Tip: Its always worth asking a box office employee if there are ticket upgrades for your show. If there are, you can purchase a better seat location, and only pay the difference of your original seat and the new one.
Fox Theatre: 8/10
The Fox Theatre in the heart of downtown Detroit is a historic venue with stunning architecture, seating around 5,000 guests, and is very easy to navigate. This indoor setting enhances lighting and visual appeal for shows, and nearby parking (shared with Little Caesar’s Arena) makes for a quick exit after your show.
Food and drink options are limited, though this doesn’t take away from the experience for me. The venue’s highlight is its sound quality; designed to host various performances, it delivers excellent audio for all types of shows. Some of my favorite shows have been at the Fox, and I think it speaks to the unique experience you get when you visit.
Seating can be tricky, as the mezzanine overhangs the back rows on the main floor. Given the theater’s beautiful design and strong sound quality, it’s a must-visit for favorite artists.
Pro Tip: For the best experience, I’d recommend the seats in the front row of the mezzanine.
Meadowbrook Amphitheater: 7.5/10
Meadowbrook Amphitheater is the smallest outdoor venue on this list, with a 7,700 capacity, located on Oakland University’s campus in Auburn Hills, about 30 minutes from Detroit. Parking is in a grassy field, which can be tricky for exits but has manageable wait times due to fewer guests, adding a relaxed vibe to concert venues in Detroit’s vicinity.
From my experience, I’d say Meadowbrook is a great place to go front row. Ticket prices are pretty tame at this venue and if you really enjoy the artist, it’s totally worth the extra couple dollars to have them standing directly in front of you.
Food and drink options are limited to a couple of booths near the entrance, and lines can get long, so I recommend eating beforehand. With its compact design, there’s not a bad seat here—any pavilion seat feels close to the stage, and the lawn offers a great view for a relaxing evening.
Sound quality is strong, with some of the loudest shows I’ve experienced. Meadowbrook often hosts artists with smaller followings, making for an intimate show that I’d highly recommend.
Pro Tip: Go for the best seats in the house! It’ll make the experience much more memorable, and it won’t break the bank as much as it would at other venues.
Well I hope this list has you thinking about your next concert, and helps you make the most of the experience whenever and wherever that is!
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