MEN Arena - Your Opinions!

Ok, here's the deal: my friends and I have got two sets of tickets to see Coldplay on the 19th December 2005 in the MEN News Arena, Manchester, it's been a while since I've gone, and I'm just wondering about the seating plans.

One set of tickets are in block BL 207, Upper Tier and have a full view of the stage, and the others are in BL 216, Upper Tier and have a side view of the stage, but on the seating plan they seem to be parallel to the stage.

Does this mean that the seats in 207, although far back, will be better because they have a full view, or that the seats in 216 will be of greater enjoyment because they are nearer to the front? I'm worried that the people who sit in 216 (whoever they may be) will not get a view at all, because they are at the side of the stage, and if the stage has sides (lol), their view will seriously be impaired.

Has anybody sat at either of these places? Is the Upper Tier, back, still a good view? And one about acute angles to the side? What does everybody think and what are everybody's experiences? Check the seating plan:

MEN Arena Seating Plan

Reply 1

~nat~

1

Ok, I'm only talking from personal experience here, and i not exactly the greatest fan of heights, so don't think that my views are automatically correct...

I have once sat in block 207 upper tier, and to be honest, it wasn't the best view. Sure, you could see the whole stage perfectly fine, but it was pretty high up AND far away.... so the idea of the people on stage being like dots comes to mind :smile:

ok, ok, not THAT extreme, maybe: the atmosphere was definitely there, and at the end of they day, i still had a good time, which is the main thing... after all, you kinda get the full front of the music from the stage! It's just that if you are wanting to be able to see the act on stage decently, upper tier that close to the back isn't the best idea!

I haven't sat in block 216...but out of interest, were they cheaper seats? If they were, then most likely there is an impaired view, in fact im pretty sure there is. If they were the same price, i'd be surprised. My guess is that you'd certainly be close to the stage, but the view still won't be great. However, if it's upper tier, then being high up might be an advantage: you can look down onto the stage instead of be blocked by a curtain if you were seated on the lower tier. I've sat at the top of 102 lower tier, and although a little bit of the stage was blocked, i seemed to have a better view of the 'side view' block next to me, regardless of whether you were on the upper or lower tier... mind you, it wasn't recently, so i can't remember very well!

It's all up to personal preference: go to the concert with the music in mind, rather than a spectacular view, and I'm sure you'll have a great time anyway :smile:

Reply 2

zhivago

OP

2

Thanks for your input. The 216 tickets weren't cheaper, no, and - as you say - you'd think that if the view was a bit crapper you'd surely get a discount. And I also had in mind the fact that the seats were in the Upper Tier, so the view might not be impaired as much from the side, 216. But at the same time, it's a bit of a risk isn't it? They could be really crap, and yet, they could be really close up and great.

When you sat in 207, was it really, really small? Like, the people. Because my eye-sight is not the best as it is, and I'm just wondering just how small they will appear! But as you say, it is all about the music, but I am assuming there will be big screens too.

God, I'm so indecisive...

Reply 3

~nat~

1

zhivago

Thanks for your input. The 216 tickets weren't cheaper, no, and - as you say - you'd think that if the view was a bit crapper you'd surely get a discount. And I also had in mind the fact that the seats were in the Upper Tier, so the view might not be impaired as much from the side, 216. But at the same time, it's a bit of a risk isn't it? They could be really crap, and yet, they could be really close up and great.

When you sat in 207, was it really, really small? Like, the people. Because my eye-sight is not the best as it is, and I'm just wondering just how small they will appear! But as you say, it is all about the music, but I am assuming there will be big screens too.

God, I'm so indecisive...

hey, you're entitled to be indecisive, especially since it's an expense! I wonder if anyone on here has sat in 216 or the equivalent block on the other side? It is a risk... could be good, could be really bad!

honestly, when i was in 207 it was pretty small - however, i WAS very very near the top of the upper tier! You can see everything, just, er, in a miniture version :rolleyes:

Yes, there will most likely be screens...so if you're dying to get a bit closer, then stare at them! But as I say, you do get to hear everything, and that's the main thing. Whenever I've been, people seem to be having just as much of a good time as those really close to the stage... it'll just be a different experience....

Reply 4

Danny the Geezer

21

The MEN is a fanatstic venue, having been 5 times, and is next to Manchester Victoria railway station.

Reply 5

zhivago

OP

2

I know, I'm more interested in the seating patterns. Where abouts did you sit? Front, Back, Upper, Lower?

Thanks for the help Nat, so it's small, but not so small that it isn't enjoyable? And as you say the music is the best thing. As long as I can see everything going on, even if is, um, mini!

It's just a question of whether 216 will be impaired by the stage or not. It's not just a question of myself choosing seats either, I'm worried that whoever sits in the less desirable seats won't have a good time...I want everyone to enjoy it! It's Coldplay!

Reply 6

~nat~

1

zhivago

I know, I'm more interested in the seating patterns. Where abouts did you sit? Front, Back, Upper, Lower?

Thanks for the help Nat, so it's small, but not so small that it isn't enjoyable? And as you say the music is the best thing. As long as I can see everything going on, even if is, um, mini!

It's just a question of whether 216 will be impaired by the stage or not. It's not just a question of myself choosing seats either, I'm worried that whoever sits in the less desirable seats won't have a good time...I want everyone to enjoy it! It's Coldplay!

ahhh you'll have a good time anyway, i'm sure! It's understandable to be doubtful over both sets of seats, but you've got them now, so just go with an open mind and if the view is very small/view is partially blocked, then you can prepare yourself for it beforehand!

Maybe if you're really worried that two of you out of who's going is going to get the bad end of the deal, so to speak, then meet at a certain time and swap tickets? It'd be a pain though.

But, to be honest, just go and enjoy yourself. Even if you can't see properly for ssome reason, then it'll make the night memorable!

Reply 7

Kittennffc

15

I've just got tickets to see McFly, and I'm sat in Block 111, Row J...this is a lower tier to the back right of the arena.

Just wondering if anyone knows how good or bad these seats are?

I realise I'm not going to get the best view but its all about the music, but still, anyone know anything about these seats?

MEN Arena - Your Opinions!

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