I think this could be its own topic, but my wife likes Cheap Trick so we have gone twice together to see them and both times were ridiculously loud and very distorted. The first was at The Beacon which has the potential for fantastic acoustics but the sound was a distorted loud mess. The second time was at the Paramount on Long Island and we actually left because it was so over the top loud. I don't doubt that they were playing great music, but it was lost in the volume and distortion. I did see them a third time without the Mrs, opening for Aerosmith at MSG and they nailed the sound and it was great - so it is possible for them. Not sure what they or their soundman are thinking. ZZ Top will not be that loud!
Sang, the only tix left are the $200 VIPs. Yeah, volume is a concern. I hate blisteringly loud shows. A couple years ago, Cheap Trick was opening for Boston and Cheap Trick was IMO ridiculously loud. I just hung out in the bar area away from the Amphitheater for the duration of their set. The volume for Boston was perfect, no ear plugs needed. Thanks for the heads up. I'll take ear plugs if we go. But it sure would be nice to go to a show and not have to use ear plugs.
Thanks for your posts, guys.
🙁
Funny story from the Way Back Machine-
Through high school I had drooled over this little blonde girl who was a classic piano player and jazz fan. I finally got the nerve to ask her out to go with me and see John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers at the NYC Palladium, 1976 I believe it was. Nice jazzy, improv type band that I figured she would really appreciate and we had 3rd row seats so I was in. Get there and we had not heard of the opening act, but 3rd row, what could go wrong. Yep, you got it, ZZ Top and from where we sat all you could see was a wall of Marshall amps stacked to the top of a very tall ceiling on the stage. We left after 4 or 5 songs,for fear of losing our hearing, on top of pure aggravation. It went downhill from there. I still hold it against them :).
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but if you want to get an indication of their gigs, YouTube them. I've seen them twice. I love Billy and the boys, their first three records, and the connection Billy has to Duane. I would not pay good money to see them. Too loose, I would say sloppy, but that would be subjective, in their playing. Too much theater, show biz antics on stage. Same "greatest hits" set list every night. Not to mention the an additional guitarist, hidden. Not my bag? I do like Billy's solo cd, a lot.
I saw them at WolfTrap a couple of Summers ago and had a really good time. I personally wouldn't pony up that much money, but, if they are rarely in your neighborhood and the money isn't a concern... Go! Make up your mind to have $400 worth of fun and grab that brass ring!
YES! I would spend the money. I always enjoy seeing them at the beacon in NY when they are in town. You get three musicial talents and not a lot of filler (horns, Susan T. 
) along with a guitar playing legend. For your first show, what better way than VIP.)
[Edited on 2/16/2016 by OriginalGoober]
Well we "pulled the trigger", so to speak, and got 2 nice seats in row 9. I feel good about it and we're looking forward to the show. I really was having a hard time deciding and I want to thank each person here for taking time and effort to comment and help me out. And thanks for your lol, funny stories and comments, too. 😉
You guys are the best.
Enjoy yourselves. Will be great close up in a smaller venue.
If it is a casino then win all their money too.
ladymule.....please give us your review
I saw this on FB and thought it might be of interest to ZZ Top and ABB fans.
James, is this man ZZ Top's hidden guitarist?
"Burns considered himself a “hired gun,” musically speaking, and he was a hitman who shared the stage with legends such as Johnny Winter, the Allman Brothers Band and ZZ Top."
Go have fun! Cheers!
