| rev:text
| - Prior to becoming the Benedum, this marvelous odeum was known as The Stanley Theater from 1912 to 1987. A legendary venue, The Stanley hosted performances from scores of famous acts including Bob Marley whose very last concert took place here in September of 1980. Billboard magazine even declared it the "Number One Auditorium in the U.S." for several years during the late 70's and early 80's.
Being an ardent, studied (obsessed?) fan of hard rock and heavy metal, I am aware of the Benedum's history but never came here during that heyday (I was but a child then). What may have been the grandest of stages for the likes of Thin Lizzy, Blue Oyster Cult, Iron Maiden (their first ever Pittsburgh gig was here on the 4th of July in '81!), and Judas Priest (whom Maiden opened for) is now better suited for low-key entertainment from my perspective.
The Benedum is a beautiful and elaborate hall with fine acoustics and dedicated, professional staff, but I feel that it was the wrong place for Alice In Chains, whom I caught here very recently.
Thinking that this would have to be an "unplugged" set or a VH-1 Storytellers type of affair considering where it was to be held, I almost didn't bother to procure a ticket (I had to go to stubhub.com since it was a sell-out). Alas, the lure of seeing a band I admire for the first time in person was strong.
My faults are as follows...
1-AIC sounded fine, but the venue killed the vibe for me. Again, I know that many hard rock/metal bands passed through it decades ago, but I have no idea what it was like then. Today, it doesn't work for these kinds of shows; it was too confining. The seats were small, people were wedged against me, and there was no freedom of movement. It was almost as if the venue tamed the show, and because of that, I feel that it should have been held at Stage AE.
2-Being that the concert was at the Benedum, it attracted a lame, sandals-khakis-polo shirt WXDX/WDVE listening crowd who don't know how to act at these kinds of gigs. Asinine behavior, inconsiderate bullshit, and much more occurred...
a)Some kid three rows down couldn't handle his liquor, regurgitating whatever he ate throughout the concert.
b)A middle-aged couple kept trying to dance awkwardly on the chairs and steps, almost breaking their necks several times.
c)A gang of dorky, fat, twenty-something manboys who watch way too much pro wrestling (and likely porn) chanted wrestling slogans and made lewd comments about every woman they saw as if they themselves were Adonises.
d)A jackass in front of me wore a very tall trucker cap for some idiotic reason, obscuring my view, and I couldn't stand lest someone complain.
e) The two men on either side of me made me feel like a sardine.
f) People kept walking in late! The poor ushers were scrambling around with flashlights in hand trying to help these hapless, chronically tardy fools find their seats!
3-AIC only played for about 75 minutes!
Save the Cultural District for musicals, comedy, opera, and the symphony for there are plenty of other more suitable venues for the loud and heavy. The sheer exquisiteness of the Benedum alone warrants a 4 star rating, so I shall be forgiving and only deduct 1 star for the promoter's lack of forethought. It could have simply been my seat location (I was wayyyyy up top), and as I tried to slowly make my way out of the Benedum, my opinion of the experience apparently put me in the minority (I heard no complaints). Nonetheless, I didn't have a gas of time and almost departed early due to my discomfort.
P.S. The chandelier on the ceiling is awe-inspiring, resembling a cathedral of light and a starship simultaneously. The Benedum truly is a comely, regal old gal inside and out.
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