Saw Phoenix in Phoenix on my bday at the Marquee. Thomas Mars interacted with the crowd tons. He stage dived a couple of times and he was constantly in the midst of the crowd serenading us. This guy loves and appreciates his fans. After watching them at Coachella on utube collaborating with RKelly. I'm glad I saw their show here as this was a great place for the band to get intimate with fans. Although seeing a Phoenix collaboration with R Kelly live would have been pretty rad.
Phoenix's seizure inducing light show was awesome in the small space. Really helped you get a feel for the music more. The band had a projection of a French style room as a backdrop and it helped transport you from the drab surroundings of the marquee via your imagination into a fancy French ballroom.
Their show was from 9-11 but we arrived at 6:30 because doors opened at 6 and you HAVE to show up at the venue to pick up your ticket. The main parking lot was full by the time we arrived and had to park in overflow across the street in a huge complex. On yelp the pictures show long lines of people waiting to get tickets and not getting into the show until midway through the main performance. I think creating this mess is advantageous to the venue because that encourages people to come early and lounge about and pay for items from the concessions while they wait. You can do a lot of damage to your pocket book fighting boredom for 3 hours waiting for a concert to begin. So pick your evil come early and spend money on drinks or come a bit before the show and wait in line...although I'd have to say our show was sold out and it didn't seem like people were having any problems getting in on time.
Don't pack any gum. They will make you give up your pack at the door as inside the floor is covered in gum and it looks gross and probably hard to remove. If you are chewing gum already they wont make you spit it out. No carabiners for your keys, you'll have to give that up too. Saw a tin bucket full of gum and carabiners at the door.
Great, intimate old school, divey venue.