MacEwan Hall and Ballroom

Could be that I’m high on life for seeing Cat Empire here tonight, the second time in my life at this venue… but I learned a valuable lesson. MacEwan Hall actually can sound good… You just can’t over play it. Well, you really really can, but don’t. Just don’t.
Loud music is awesome, but louder isn’t better at Mac Hall.
I think a lot of band go for the full volume thing and then it really shows off it’s giant square concrete box sound profile. That said, I didn’t really take a wander to the back of the room at this show so there’s a good possibility that the sounds bounce around more and more as you go back so by the time you’re at the beer gardens the concert is just a garbled mess. So far it’s too soon to confirm so Mac Hall, you’re sitting at a 4-​star from me right now. I’ll go dance the night away at some more concerts and get back to you.
Parking is a little annoying since it’s at the university and it’s a bit of a hike from the C-​Train Station.

I haven’t been to Mac Hall in years but I remember it being big and open and LOUD. Well its still loud only probably more so than I remember only because my ears are now older and more sensitive. For concert events this room is fantastic and I’m only deducting a star because there is no seating and I’m old so seating is kind of nice now. Really I’m not that old but I’m not as young as I once was so standing for 3 + hours for two bands is a little harder than it once was although I also drink less than I used to so maybe that impedes my standing stamina. As to sound Mac Hall has a pretty extensive system along with lighting to make any act stand out to its best. The room itself is quite deep but not cavernous as has a very high ceiling. There is a «beer corral» area for those who would like to partake but you cannot bring your drinks into the venue itself. Water only I believe. Security is definitely present but not oppressively so. They do a screening on your way in so make this fast by carrying little to nothing with you (ladies leave your purse at home). You will them throughout the crowd as well with their little flashlights. Just keeping everyone safe. Definitely a venue I would go to again, depending on who’s playing of course.

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My favorite bands have been here. My friends bands have played here. It’s intimate, yet large enough to host a crowd of Calgarians starving for good music because everyone seems to go to either Toronto, Vancouver, or hell, DEADmonton before they stop in our neck of the woods. I’m looking at you, Ben Folds.
So even though all the kinderbats, tubbigothis, mall gravers and 15 year old poseurs all gather here for bands you were listening to when they were barely out of diapers… and you recoil in horror when one of them asks if you want to make out; I have a special place in my heart for MacEwan Hall. And a pepper spray strapped to my ankle.

This is probably one of the best venues for alternative bands. Both the Hall and the Ballroom have a good space set up for concerts. Sometimes the sound guys area get in the way in the ballroom, as it is quiet smaller than the hall.
I really like that they provide a beer garden at concerts as well. They usually have a decent selection to choose from too. Its also nice havign the Jugo Juice down where the hall is, so you dont always have to just have water.
They always have coat check, and they attendants are usually pretty good about letting you add things, and remove things from you hanger without extra charge.