Subscriber Manohlive Posted January 11, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) I have been to many shows at Soldier Field. There is a very bad overhang with 100 and 200 level seating. The level above these sections juts out over rows 10-20 of each of these sections. The first few rows are not affected much. As the rows going higher approach 20, it affect one's view and definitely ruins the sound quality. You will hear distorted drums and bass and little, if any vocals or guitar. We could not see properly and that sound! ARRGGGHH. In short, those seats suck and are top tiered in price. I'm sorry to bear such bad news. The 360 tour was the first time I sat in those sections of SF; I'd always been on the other side. I was bummed for a minute, then confused and then I got angry. There was no need. Soldier Field is very accommodating. The staff is excellent. I figured out where to go and to whom I should speak for for a 'relocate', which is the keyword if you are not already aware. Using it can save time, confusion and spare one some of the dreaded 'concert day bad seat anxiety'. I was treated with respect. I was very graciously, and quite surprisingly, put in the first row of our section. We were right by the stage. If you already have seats where the overhang exists...don't freak out over this. If you politely ask, they go out of their way to see to it you are accommodated. I am not an official spokesman for Soldier Field. I speak with no authority. I can only speak from my experience(s). I am posting this to let people know in advance so they can make decisions accordingly. This affects ADA seats immensely-there is info below. The overhang is its worst on the side of the stadium where sections 104, 105, 106, etc. are located. It is less severe, if any issue at all, on the other side. I had never noticed any overhang on Edge's side. ( Sections 143, etc.) UPDATE: LINK TO SCROLLING VIEW OF YOUR SECTION IN THE STADIUM: https://rukkus.com/v...l-sideline-105/ That is a link to the view of section 105 in Soldier Field. (Many thanks to satsignal who posted a link for a different section, the main site is: rukkus.com) You can hold down on the left mouse button and scroll 360 degrees to see the overhang up close. You can do this on rukkus.com for all sections of the stadium There are 20 rows in the 100 sections; row 20 is the accessible seating row. From what I have been able to see-rows 10 through 20 are the rows where the view will most be affected by that dreadful overhang. I hope this helps so you can get relocated if necessary. Here is a link to the view of section 205: https://rukkus.com/venue/soldier-field-tickets/seat-views/club-level-205/ If you are in ADA (wheelchair/accessible/companions)...unfortunately this overhang most affects you. I'm very sorry to say that. The sound is awful. There is no view. I know from experience. They save some extra seats on the ADA platform, which is on the field, in the GA section. That is a SWEET place from which to watch these shows. There were no platforms for previous shows at SF, but I started to notice them last Summer and they are nice. You have easy access in/on/off/out/back in. Restrooms and vendors nearby. If not on the platform: Anything but the front row does not work well with everyone standing. I've stared at butts many times and the sound is not very good no matter the cuteness of the butt! I would be there as soon as the gates open. People with ADA challenges can be dropped off right at the front gate. You can go to soldierfield.net and enter ADA and a bunch of info pops up which may help you have the best concert possible. I also suggest calling Soldier Field once it is in season. Right now it's closed and I cannot reach anyone save people who work for the Bears. If you call before the show...it is my experience that they will get you arranged so you do not have to worry about changing your seat the day of the show. Again, I cannot officially speak for Soldier Field. I can say they have always helped me before the day of the show. It never hurts to mention being a member of the fan club but I cannot say that officially either. They are very good with ADA HERE IS AN APPLICABLE PART OF AN ARTICLE I FOUND WHICH MIGHT MAKE EVERYONE WHO IS WORRIED FEEL BETTER: (This lady and her husband flew from Europe to see the show in Chicago.) By this time, I was crying. I couldn't help it because it was so horribly horribly wrong. We couldn't see. We couldn't hear. We were so close, and might as well have been outside the stadium listening to what came out on the wind. By the fifth song, I had HAD IT. The cost-benefit calculus had shifted--I would rather leave to complain, no matter what I might miss, because I was already missing it anyway. After a brief stop to cry in the bathroom (so I wouldn't embarrass myself) I went in search of --what? What can be done at a time like this? Is there anyone who can refund my money? Can I find somewhere that is at least better than here? Someone I can bitch to?It took a while--like another 4 songs, but I found somebody with the authority to do something. He handed me tickets on the other side of the stage, where there was no overhang. Downside, they were not together. But it was better than what we had, so we took it. As I walked out from the vending corridor down to my seat--it was better than I had dreamed it would be for all those weeks before. The 360 video screen didn't just show the band, but was being used artistically. The light show turned the entire stadium different colors, and lights periodically shot up into the sky. The night was perfect, the band was phenomenal, and it was a FANTASTIC OUTSTANDING concert that totally filled my geeky fan girl heart.It was nearly enough to make up for the horrible horrible start. I was in the front row, actually, and on Edge's side of the stage. When Bono came out on one of the bridges and pretended to climb down into the audience, he was straight in front of me, separated by a few yards of field. When the band played a remix version of "Crazy," Larry stopped right in front of me with his cool African drum. Words can't really capture the feeling of being surrounded by music and lights, being immersed in music I love, while simultaneously being close to the actual human beings who are making the music. I need to stress this, because the concert was wonderful, and as I walked into the arena to the new seats I got to have that moment where you have to stop and say "This is AWESOME!" -Safe travels and great shows to everyone. Edited February 6, 2017 by Manohlive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber cyranose Posted January 12, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted January 12, 2017 I was re-reading posts about the 360 Tour where the overhang at Soldier Field caused obstructed views (and poor sound quality) in the upper rows of the seating of the 100s sections. I got Red Hill presale tickets this morning for section 105, row 17, which is EXACTLY the section and row(s) that were referenced in these posts as being the worst seats. I am heartbroken at the moment that I may have pulled less than optimal seating. I am wondering if this was just an issue because of The Claw stage and would not be an issue with The Joshua Tree stage or if these are really poor seats. Can someone who is familiar with Soldier Field shed some light on this and let me know if these seats are really as poor as has been written by other posters? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted January 12, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) I already posted about this for the current presale. It is in the general section for The Joshua Tree Tour. If your view is obstructed you should ask for a relocate. They allocate a number of tickets. You have to ask, though, and you may have to wait a bit but it's worth it if the same happens to you which happened to us. I was in section 105...last row. I sat in my seat for all of three minutes, decided no way and very nicely asked. They moved us to the front row of section 105. I watched the rows fill up as people got up and asked the usher only to be pointed where I went. Get there early! I cannot say what they will do this time but I cannot say enough good things about Soldier Field and the United Center and every other venue I've seen shows at in Chicago. Good Luck. If I can be any help just pm me. My grammar is deteriorating and it already sucks! lol Let me know what happens so I can let others know for future shows at Soldier Field. Edited January 12, 2017 by Manohlive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber cyranose Posted January 12, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted January 12, 2017 Thanks so much. I'm in Madison, WI, so we're "neighbors." I'm just really upset because I bought tickets for other people, and these "looked" so good when I purchased them (especially since they were deemed good enough to be the paperless tickets). Trying to Google search, I'm only seeing U2 fans posting about this issue, no one is commenting on this situation online about other concerts that are held there (that I could find), so I was starting to have some hope that this perhaps was limited to the 360 Tour and the height/dimensions of The Claw and screens. I'll check out your post(s) in the general sections. Thanks again so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber cyranose Posted January 12, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted January 12, 2017 Thanks again for your informative post. I posted the same concern in the presale thread to which you so kindly replied. Hopefully a mod could merge the threads or delete my other thread in the presale forum so that's its not a duplicate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber cyranose Posted January 12, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted January 12, 2017 Unfortunately, I'm way beyond freaked out. This is to be someone's birthday gift and now I can't bear the thought of telling my friends they are the worst possible seats at Soldier Field. I spent almost $1000 for seats and presale access and am sick over this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted January 12, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted January 12, 2017 Unfortunately, I'm way beyond freaked out. This is to be someone's birthday gift and now I can't bear the thought of telling my friends they are the worst possible seats at Soldier Field. I spent almost $1000 for seats and presale access and am sick over this. If your ticket does not say obstructed view then your view should not be obstructed. However, ours were for 360. We were accommodated. I have had nothing but good experiences with this venue. My point is don't worry but get there early. Check out your seats. They may well be great. If not, ask for a relocate. They do everything possible to get you equal or better seats than you originally purchased. The earlier you get there the better your chances are for the best possible resolution and it may not even be a problem. I've always just avoided those seats after the 360 show. If they were my only option; I would buy them and ask for a relocate. The reason I posted is to tell people in those seats to get there early. I'm not sure if you are from Chicago but it is crazy insane when Soldier Field has a show. It can take an hour to go three blocks. I would be there when the gates open or shortly after the fact. If the overhang is not an issue-you have amazing seats. I would be excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber Manohlive Posted January 12, 2017 Author Subscriber Share Posted January 12, 2017 Thanks so much. I'm in Madison, WI, so we're "neighbors." I'm just really upset because I bought tickets for other people, and these "looked" so good when I purchased them (especially since they were deemed good enough to be the paperless tickets). Trying to Google search, I'm only seeing U2 fans posting about this issue, no one is commenting on this situation online about other concerts that are held there (that I could find), so I was starting to have some hope that this perhaps was limited to the 360 Tour and the height/dimensions of The Claw and screens. I'll check out your post(s) in the general sections. Thanks again so much! Howdy neighbor. I shall be in Madison on Feb 21 and 22 to see The Head and the Heart. If you do not know this band...check them out and see if you like them. I love them. I've seen them over a dozen times now. Tickets are $42 or so. I would pay $300 to see them. (If I had it.) You are very welcome, by the way. Read what I wrote above. I wouldn't worry but get there early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber neilz Posted January 14, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted January 14, 2017 (edited) It would be impossible to relocate all of the fans affected, I'm surprised those seats are still being sold at that price to fan club members. http://mistressofallevil.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-which-i-bitch-about-soldier-field.html Edited January 14, 2017 by neilz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subscriber cyranose Posted January 14, 2017 Subscriber Share Posted January 14, 2017 (edited) I found this picture on Twitter by searching Soldier Field 105. It looks pretty representative as it appears to be taken from a high row close to the aisle next to 104, which is where I am. Edited January 14, 2017 by cyranose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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