UC Davis Freeborn Hall

I just love everything about UC Davis campus. The hall was clean and very comfortable! Had breakfast there for parents weekend and got to see some dancing and music — all was cool!

I’ve performed several times here. Last time was this past DDR 2013 (Davis Dance Revolution).
5 stars because when changing between my performances, I accidentally left my friend’s hoodie and my own shoes on the stage. After the performance, they were nowhere to be found.
An hour before this, I went back, and it was in the lost and found! Before looking, the lady asked me about the sizes and colors. I appreciate that, because she wanted to make sure that I was the true owner of the clothing articles.
I’m lame for doing this review, but I’m so happy I got the stuff back!!!
Also, someone mentioned that lighting was bad. I’ve gone to several dress rehearsals and the staff patiently work with us to make sure we performers get what we prefer :)
I’m going to miss performing at DDR at Freeborn Hall :(

If Phoenix wasn’t here for a concert, I would’ve never come here on my own will. I have no idea why Phoenix picked this place as their venue of choice but where the band goes, the fans will follow. Our drive from the South bay took 2.5 hours with traffic. This is definitely NOT the best venue for a rock concert or any kind of considerably loud music performance.
Freeborn Hall reminds me of The Fillmore in SF, except the walls aren’t steaming with famous rock star sweat. It’s compact and all standing (for this specific concert but I can see they have retractable bleachers).
The crowd were much younger than your usual run of the mill Phoenix/​Alternative fans which was a little disappointing. The brunette girl next to me smoked some stuff that would be questionable. The older crowd tended to stay towards the back of the stage for that very reason perhaps.
The lighting. TERRIBLE. They ONLY really had strobe lights which was extremely uncomfortable after a while. I guess they felt the need to blind us every millisecond to match the beat of the synthesizers? STROBE STROBE STROBE STROBE. Yeah it was that annoying.
The only thing that redeemed this place for me was that the staff took extra time to double/​triple-​check the equipment and instruments after the openers had HORRIBLE feedback for the first half of their performance. Since I was near the speakers, it was painful for my ears when the feedback was constant. The sound was a lot better when Phoenix went up and all the mics were non-​feedbacky. The high school-​gym like wooden floors were a big turn off as well. They didn’t absorb the bass well and I felt like I was getting a full-​body massage through my feet (which may a plus for you: P).
All this being said. Phoenix had a GREAT set! I loved their performance and I really hope they come back to the Bay Area again. I’d advise them to avoid this venue again though.

As a venue, I like it here. However, I am biased, since I went to school here. Its not bad, its not great, but I like going back here to see a show when a good one comes into town.

Cozy, aka SMALL.
Not a bad place to see a concert.
Parking was good also.

I have graced Freeborn at least once a year with my presence. I definitely made the most usage as I could — career fairs, concerts, lu’aus, etc.
The seating is kinda awkward for concerts (the only one I can think of is the dude who opened for AFI who was boring as EFF), but the Freeborn staff has perfected it for dance shows. For lu’au every year, I’m pleased with the tables of eight and how they are laid yet (and yet there’s enough room for dancers to go through tables!). For shows like DDR, I like the seating on the main floor, and the seating on the side.
For dance rehearsals, w00t for accommodating Freeborn staff!
Minor grip-​age, if you will: why is the dance room at the ARC technically bigger than Freeborn’s stage? Yeah, makes it’s a tad bit difficult/​ANNOYING that that is the case. You practice your steps and placement 123 1800x only to discover that you need to downsize your steps. [end gripe]

A somewhat vacuous semi large space decent for seeing shows. If you’re into indie/​college music, there’s a good chance that your performer will pass through here. Although it does sometimes feel like you’re at a high school ralley.

It’s best suited for verbal presentations or expos. They hold concerts here and I’m not sure why. I don’t want to see Fuel rockin’ it out in the auditorium equivalent of a car dealership floor. I don’t want to see Fuel, period… Surely they can book Mondavi for that now.
I took my girlfriend here on our first date to see the UCD Symphony for a class project. Such a long time ago…

this spot is ok for a campus concert venue. it reminds me too much of a high school gym. me, Kate R., Jeff T, and a few more folks saw Common here that night and it was well worth the drive coming from the south bay area. the sound system was crispy though. my only gripe is the venue size, i have a preference over smaller scale spaces when it comes to hip hop shows.

I caught Common here last night, it was the best show I’ve seen in the Sacramento region. The sound system was good, the place is pretty big (just a basic auditorium), and I still felt that I was pretty close to the stage when I was 20 feet back.
This venue gets a lot of great artists. I wish more people preformed here than in venues within the city of Sacramento.