Down in Sugarland

Review by: Do

Event: Sugarland Concert (w/ Luke Bryan & Danny Gokey)
Venue: CMAC, Canandaigua, NY
Date: 6/13/2010
Concert goers: Me, my husband, and another couple
Ticket cost: $25

Let me just start by saying that Sugarland is great in concert! Jennifer Nettles is a wonderful entertainer, from her strong vocals right down to her crazy dancing. If I had the chance to see them again I definitely would...BUT I would really have to think twice about going back to CMAC.

The CMAC is set up at the base of a large hill. Stage and box seating under 'the shell' and lawn seating extends up this gynormous hill. The earlier you get there and set up, the better seats you get. We weren't so lucky, and in my opinion, very ill-prepared for this concert.

Pre-game: Our hotel was over a mile from the concert. I really looked into our accomodations too...even calling the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce. All the hotels that were close to the concert were actually college dorm housing, as the CMAC sits right on the Finger Lakes Community College Campus. After reading reviews, we stayed at the Super 8.

I knew the concert started at 7:30pm, but failed to find out that parking opened up at 5:00pm and the gates opened at 6:00pm. After our really crappy dinner at Denny's (everywhere else was totally over packed with concert goers) we headed out at 6:30pm...and drove right into a major backup. We quickly decided waiting in that traffic wasn't worth it, so we parked the car at the hotel and walked. There went my outfit - ruined now 'cuz I'm wearing my sneaks!

We walked a mile or so to the concert, and once we entered the parking lot we came upon a huge tailgating party! OMG...how funny. We were under the impression, since it was clearly listed on the CMAC website, that "Tailgating is strictly prohibited"...yeah, not so much. People were dancing on their cars with beer cases on their heads! As I said, totally unprepared.

Game-on: So we ventured on in to the concert area and were met by beer tents! Thank goodness...or so we thought. A draft (24 oz) was $8 each - yes each!! Holy outrageous batman! And who can drink a 24 ounce draft before it gets warm...I mean really! No that didn't stop me from buying one (or two, etc) but it certainly prevented me from having one too many.

We scaled the all-mighty hill in search of enough space to plant 4 bums. We had to sit on the ground because, if you'll recall, we walked and didn't want to carry chairs and/or a blanket. I know, duh. We did find some half-way decent seats, and since we arrived 'late' we were lucky because the hill was FULL. It was cloudy, but wam, and it didn't rain...thank goodness because we didn't have an umbrella either (see above). And we were a ways up, so even the thought of having to get another drink or go to the bathroom was tiring.

The opening acts were fine. I'm not a huge country music fan, and I had never heard of either opener. The crowd seemed excited so I'm sure they were good. From where we were sitting we could barely see the stage, but there was really no hope for advancement. The CMAC has 2 small screens on either side of the shell. They were not on for either opening act.

Sugarland was great! They played songs from both albums and some from their upcoming fall release. The on stage graphics, behind the band, were phenomenal. The screen was as big as the stage and in the center they were actually showing the concert close-up, so it felt like you were right there. Around the center of the screen the graphics were constantly morphing and changing and they were completley mesmerizing. Good thing too, because those two tiny little screens, when on, were not cutting it. I love the song 'Stay', and she sang it beautifully. My husband was a bit sad she didn't sing 'Joey', which is his fave.

I must mention that the bathroom set up was impressive. There was one main facility in the center of the concession stands, and I thought for sure it would take forever to go. I was quite surprised with how quickly the line moved, and it was because the building housed close to 40 stalls. It was new, clean, and did not stink. No one likes a disgusting bathroom...no matter how many beers you've had.

Post-game: After the concert we walked back to our hotel, with about 100 or so other walkers. The walk wasn't bad, and I felt completely safe. There was a walkway on the side of the main highway through Canandaigua and it was very well lit. Let me tell you though, I sure was tired when we got back!

So as I said, I thought Sugarland was great in concert. I would highly recommend them - you won't be disappointed. I'm not sure I would opt for lawn seating at the CMAC again. For the price you can't beat it...but I think I would rather have paid more and been under the shell, with an actual view of the concert. I guess I'm just funny that way.