Isleta Amphitheater

Three stars for being just being an open air venue with a decent sound system. All amphitheaters that I have visited are always away from city are, great for avoiding other traffics. The two missing starts are based on my experience after the concert. The in and out entrance needs a major work. It is definitely a safety issue, everyone were shoulder to shoulder going through one exit. As slow and hectic as that sounds, it was not bad compared to sitting in your car and unable to move forward or reverse for more than 30 minutes. This problem could be alleviated by the Staff and Volunteers, they need to direct traffic at each parking lot. Once these two issues are resolved, this amphitheater could definitely earn a 5 stars.

The concert was wonderful, but that’s the Foo Fighters. The venue lacked proper signage to get you to the parking area and the employees in the parking area were as confused as the patrons. Once you were to the gates it was another round of «who goes where» and failures in planning. Leaving after the concert was another mess because of inadequate planning and directions. The mess getting into the parking lot was half an hour sitting in the car trying to get out of the of the parking lot. I’d see the Foo Fighters again, I wouldn’t go to this venue again.

I really want to like this place because I’ve been here a few times over the years and seen some amazing bands, but the venue is incredibly mediocre. The first thing any attendee will encounter is their ridiculous parking lot that is practically impossible to get into unless you arrive really early or really late. Good luck trying to leave, it’s a nightmare. Then, you have to trek through a dirt parking lot that lacks any sort of pedestrian walkway, so you are then forced to either walk down into the glass-​ridden patches in between each aisle or walk along the narrow road. The large guitar structure is what one would think is the entrance for the venue, but that only leads you to the steep path you must also trek to reach the box office. One of the only redeeming qualities about this place is that the women’s security line is reasonably fast and I’ve gotten some great coupons that were being handed out around there.
When it comes to portable toilets, I really don’t expect much. I understand that they really can’t keep those clean enough for a busy night after thousands of people did who knows what in there. My biggest beef is with the actually restrooms that flank the stage. They are extremely dim and leave most of the stalls impossible to see in and a good chunk of the stalls are perpetually out of order. During sets, the bathroom is completely deserted, so I don’t understand how a few people can’t just go in there to refill the toilet paper or make sure that a toilet or sink isn’t overflowing.
The food is okay, but pretty expensive. I think I spent about 10.25 on some chicken strips and fries. I also think that the pizza was 30, which is just ridiculous. The lack of courtesy from the people that work here is also a huge minus. I was shoved by a rude security guard while tying my shoe because he claimed that I was blocking the walkway. It was just after they had started to let anyone in and hardly anyone was there. Plus, the security really can’t be all that good because every time I go, the place reeks of pot.
The only redeeming qualities are that they let you bring in one bottle of water (unopened) per person (seemingly no size limit) and that they get some amazing artists to play there.

Tucked away in the outskirts of ABQ, Isleta Amphitheater provides an unique outdoor music experience! Clean area, and the lawn/​general admissions area is spacious and welcoming to kids. The enter and exit process is organized. Be prepared to pay $ 15 for a margarita and $ 4 for a bottle of water! Good thing, you can bring 1 unopen bottle of water to save some money but prepare to make a pretty investment in food and drinks… Great aucustics, variety of artist’s and a venue to definitely check out some of your favorite bands!

The venue is decent. Its nice that you can watch the sunset and chill on the grass under the stars. Sometimes the restrooms can be unkept, but I think they are improving. Beer prices are insane, and the food is alright. I’d recommend eating before. Traffic getting out of the parking lot can be crazy, but again, they are improving on this too.

Not the best venue the world, but the sound is great and the price is right for most concerts. Water up before you come though, real expensive here.
We have one individual in our group with bad hip problems and we sit in the handicap area for grass seating. You can have one person with the handicapped individual as escort. You have to go to guest services in the lower area to get your lawn tickets upgraded for free.
The area is nice though the new seats have arms and are very uncomfortable to those with wide hips. But better than grass for the hip problemed among us.
There is a shuttle to take you from the bottom to the parking lot at the end of the night and from the entrance to the bottom at start of show should you need it.
Staff friendly for the most part, especially shuttle guy, he’s always nice.
Decent venue, beautiful view, good sound, handicap accessible. Can’t ask for much more other than better chairs.

This is a bad music venue that that doesn’t have to be. The lawn seats and sound quality are fine, but my experience with the place itself was one-​star — and we didn’t even have trouble with the parking.
Check-​in was unpleasant with long lines for bag checks for women, and I didn’t even carry one. There were pat-​downs if your clothing isn’t form fitting. We waited in line for a drink only to be told you need a wrist band. Maybe I’m stupid. Wait in line for that and then the drink line again, where the guy checks your ID again when you order your $ 13 beer. Huh? Waited in line for a pre-​made burrito that was made several hours before and put in a warmer. I really should increase my review by one star because I did not get food poisoning.
I’m thinking the venue designers said Let’s make this place as ugly as possible. A rock and dirt berm scars the earth and acts to blocks the view of the stage from the entrance. The grounds are dotted with pole sheds in an unattractive shade of yellow.
Oh, and the venue is along way from the casino. Maybe there could be some info about that on the tickets. Be prepared to wait when leaving the parking lot which feeds into a two-​lane road.
I was at the Sandia amphitheater last week, which was a total dream venue compared to this. One caveat: it’s also a lot smaller.

Not sure why such great artistes chose this place to perform. It is nothing but a money sucking pit. Parking is not too bad, but when you exit — now that is a whole different story.
The most expensive foods and beverages I have ever seen around this great nation of ours. How could a pretzels possibly costs $ 18.00?! Yes I have had much more expensive pretzels, upper $ 50.00 but they were made with super special ingredients and at very high end places.
The sound system isn’t that great to be honest with you and the security people standing at the VIP sections as well as the seats ones are not nice. I thought I was gonna have a colonoscopy before they let me in.

The drive to Isleta was cool. I hadn’t seen this venue before. Coming from CA I thought it was amazing and refreshing to park without a charge. YAY!
I believe last night was the first outdoor show of the season. what a great kick off — Matt Nathanson, The Fray and Train. All 3 we’re class acts.
We opted for the grass seats. I would do the same thing if I bought tickets to another show.
The only thing I didn’t love about this venue is that the rules for attending the show are incomplete. They go over the seating, chairs, water and some do’s and don’ts. Some outdoor concert locations allow you to bring food. We did because it was not on the list of what could not be allowed in. I don’t mind the policy. I do mind it not being on the list — but then enforced.

Isn’t extortion illegal? Where’s the public trade commision when you need them?! Drinks here (even the non-​alcoholic, boring type) are RIDICULOUS. $ 13 for a ‘premium’ beer, you’re looking at $ 16 for a frozen margarita, and $ 9 for a fountain soda in a cup without a lid that you will definitely be spilling.
The sound quality here is decent for an outdoor venue. That still doesn’t make me want to come to shows here, though. It has to be someone epic that I’m literally DYING to see because the seating is horrible, the food is awful, the prices for everything are insane, and the employees of this place are so unhelpful they may as well tell you to go f*** yourself.
If you must attend a show here, wasting money on seats really isn’t worth it IMO. The seats are made for midgets. If you have no tall people with you, it’s probably ok. The grass area is fairly priced for most shows, and they do have giant screens so you can see what’s going on.
All in all, this is a terrible venue operated by people who are no better than highway robbers. When I leave, I always feel as if I have had my purse snatched because I have nothing to show for the $ I just spent.

The most expensive beer in any Major League Baseball stadium, 2014, according to
: $ 8, Miami Marlins. Cheapest: $ 4, Cleveland Indians.
What we paid for one «premium» pour during the Kings Of Leon and Young the Giant: $ 13.
One beer.
Can the price of a barley pop really ruin an otherwise enjoyable show? Sure it can. Throw in an absolutely convoluted dual ID system and you’ve cemented the bad time. Just for the pleasure of waiting in a long line for that premium $ 13 beer, we had to wait in another line to get a wristband from a guy who checked IDs. Which was fine. But when we finally had the opportunity to order the $ 13 beer, we were asked to show IDs again. So that was ridiculous.
The stadium is perfect for a huge show, they pack ‘em in, the lawn is a distant cry from the stage but a beautiful view of the sunset. The show featured some great camerawork, projections of the band were on two huge screens so you could get a decent idea of what was happening with the stick figures playing music. So yeah, great facility, but…
As an attendee, I felt extorted. The pricing at this place is completely inexcusable. Awful.