Ryan Brassard, who runs the metal/hardcore/punk site Axes to Grind, checked out Friday's Godsmack/Taproot show, the first free concert at the Tiguas' new Socorro Entertainment Center. Here's his review of the show and his thoughts on the new venue. Feel free to share your thoughts on the show and SEC in the comments section.
This highly anticipated event, featuring Godsmack and Taproot, marked the beginning of a new era in the tribe’s continued efforts to bring free concerts to the Sun City. As was expected, the Socorro Entertainment Center, or SEC, still requires some work for completion. The parking lot isn't paved, some of the dressing rooms and offices aren't unfinished, but the concert went off smoothly with no obvious major issues.
The first thing to know — get there early. The traffic on Socorro Road was congested to say the least. The parking lot across from the venue has plenty of room, and the SEC staff did a great job controlling the flow of traffic and parking assignments. Until the lot is paved, however, expect a light coat of El Paso dust when returning to your vehicle.
The size of the SEC is impressive, with a very large area for general admission and an extremely large stage. Beer stands were located on the sides and the back of the venue, which made it difficult to get in line when the place is packed, as it was Friday night.
The sound system and acoustics were adequate to say the least, even down to the vocal echo and reverb. The SEC provided live video on enormous screens on each side of the stage, giving the entire crowd a crisp visual of the stage action. The amount of speaker cabinets both on stage and suspended from the rafters provided adequate amplification with minimal saturation, even to the furthest corners of the facility.
Stephen Richards, singer-guitarist for opening act Taproot, called the SEC “ a beautiful venue with a great room, and it sounded amazing.”
Taproot, the alternative/hard rock band out of Ann Arbor, Mich., took the stage at 7:30p.m. to a hail of applause. The group new album, 'The Episodes," in its entirety. Richards described its as “a story that follows three characters over a Sunday morning period of a couple hours. The music itself is accompanying the story, almost like a score to a movie.” Taproot received a warm, even excited welcome from the crowd excited for the show’s opening act.
The time between sets was the expected 30 or so minutes. In that time, the venue filled even more, nearing the 10,000 standing-room capacity. Godsmack hit the stage at 9 p.m. to a hail of cheers. The band wasted no time, opening with an old favorite, "Awake," the title track of its 2000 best-selling album. Singer-guitarist Sully Erna interacted with the crowd throughout the set. The barricaded buffer between crowd and stage was only four feet, which really got the crowd closer to the action. The crowd's involvement was incredible, unlike any I had witnessed at the Speaking Rock outdoor venue.
The most impressive part of the show was "Batalla de los Tambores," a dueling drums exhibition and Godsmack concert staple featuring Erna and drummer Shannon Larkin, whose drum platform floated hydraulically toward the front of the stage. Erna emerged seemingly out of nowhere on a second drum set. They settled at center stage, facing each other, blasting out drum beats. The drum battle will be featured on the band's first concert album, "Live & Inspired," due May 15.
“It has been a real privilege to play here in your city," Erna told the throng. “No matter where we go after this, we will always remember El Paso.”
Godsmack played for an hour and half, and finished their set with another old favorite, “I Stand Alone” off their 2003 release, 'Faceless.'
“You have been the best crowd on the tour thus far,” Erna said, admiring the crowd with a large, genuine smile.
Overall, the first event at the Socorro Entertainment Center was a success. Yes, there are some issues to work out, but it went off smoothly, showing the potential this venue has. The El Paso crowd was loud and interactive. Several people I talked to said they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
It is great to see all those people in line on Socorro Rd. The restaurants and businesses around the area can use the help. Thank you Speaking Rock Entertainment. Keep concerts. 49er Kitchen 9911 Socorro Rd.
Posted by: Maricela | April 29, 2012 at 05:10 PM
"...some of the dressing rooms and offices aren't unfinished,.." Hmm, so they are finished? Did they start with completed bathrooms and are working their way to unfinish them? Interesting jeje!
Posted by: Tonto | April 30, 2012 at 01:34 AM
This is great for El Paso and especially the mission valley. The major issue is the traffic with only two ways to get to the venue City and County managers should really consider expanding the Border Highway all the way to Fabens.
Posted by: George | April 30, 2012 at 07:53 AM
Very interesting concert review. I really admire the effort and the thought you have shared in your review.
Posted by: Northwest Concert & Events Blog | April 30, 2012 at 08:34 AM
It was barely 8pm by the time we got to the entrance of the venue (after crawling for 5 miles on Socorro Rd). Apparently the venue was filled to capacity already because city police were blocking the entrance and turning people away at every road entrance (I'm sure there were thousands who weren't able to attend). It was a bummer, to say the least. Godsmack deserved a bigger venue than what Speaking Rock had.
Posted by: Marlene | April 30, 2012 at 08:43 AM
the show was awesome! but the place was crowded
and dangerous, several fights and incidents that i never saw in the parking lot in the last concerts. i don't think i will attend any other concert there :(
Posted by: Araceli | April 30, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Sad thing about the new venue is the capacity. The old concerts at speaking rock never had a capacity and you could always count on getting into the concert. I was not allowed in because of the capacity the indoor facility has and will not be looking foward to not knowing if I will get into future concerts.
Posted by: CB | April 30, 2012 at 10:13 AM
We were asked to leave because mangement stated we must gamble and drin to stay at free concert. Only 1 restroom. People were passing out due to ventalation. Too many fights. People crambed like sardine. Not well organized.
Posted by: bonnie | April 30, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Spoke with alfonso and margie in security management and their conorn was not their customers it was the profit of drinking. I would rather pay and be safe. Shame on el paso constables. They did not serve and protect even with them eeprepresenting the county. They kept syaing they were in the Tiguas house? SHAME ON YOU. Marshalls and city ordinance should have been there to shut the place down. DANGEROUS concert.
Posted by: bonnie | April 30, 2012 at 10:37 AM
This was a free concert with a known venue capacity. Speaking Rock repeatedly told everyone to arrive early if you wanted to get in (via Facebook, El Tiempo, etc). If you're not willing/can't get there early, well, too bad for you. This was not a dangerous concert. A few fights broke out (like most other rock shows) but were quickly dealt with by security. Mad props to Speaking Rock for staying on top of everything. Security was patrolling the floor and watching from the upper level VIP area. Remember, y'all are going to a general admission rock show, not the opera. Quit complaining.
Posted by: JDB | April 30, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Speaking Rock never advertises what time concerts will start. I wish it would. But I guess being there at 6pm would be wise.
Posted by: Marlene | April 30, 2012 at 04:20 PM
Concerts at the parking lot in Ysleta were awesome!!! Lots of fresh air and space. Security was really good, lots of porta potties. Traffic and parking was not a problem. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the 5 MILE LINE of vehicles from the old venue at Speaking Rock parking lot all the way to the new venue at the Socorro Entertainment Center. Socorro road is an extremely dangerous 2 way only road, and a fatality is just waiting to happen. The new Entertainment center is just not worth the aggravation and hassle of waiting in that extremely long line on a public road. Concerts should return to the outdoor facility in Ysleta.
Posted by: mararun | April 30, 2012 at 05:59 PM
Free is not always good. If i would have been told about the conditions they were putting me in, I would never have gone. Shame on management trying to make a quick buck. Shame on el paso county constables for being there and turning their check. There should have been an inspection on building before holding concert there. Shame on mamagement for not putting safety first. There needs to be a inspection on building. There should never be anyone passing out due to ventalation. There must be signs if you have a gambling problem just like Inn of the Mountain Gods. The land might belong to the tigurabut my health and safety belongs to me.
Posted by: bonnie | April 30, 2012 at 07:16 PM
Who inspects the Tigua buildings? LOOK at how manu restrooms available for 10,000 people. ONE. NOT all air conditioners were working. Where was security when people were knocked out during the fights. Ems was mre involved than security. Look at the blogs being posted about the condition people were put in. SHAME ON MANAGEMENT
AND TIGUAS FOR PUTTING US IM THOSE CONDITIONS.
Posted by: bonnie | April 30, 2012 at 07:23 PM
I enjoyed both bands very much, although security should've kicked a few people out for their drunken behavior. I couldn't really concentrate on the band cause I was to busy thinking I was going to get hurt by the bunch of idiots that kept pushing everybody and banging their heads. After having so many people attend, the place really got suffocated and unable to breathe we had to stand next to the entrance in order to get some fresh air. I don't think they were prepared for any of this. Thank God I didn't get hurt but most of all upset because they served beer to people who already were too drunk.
Posted by: Irene | May 01, 2012 at 05:56 PM
Most of u guys are whiny little bitches, its FREE!!! you cant show up at eight and expect to get in ...Speaking Rock has done an amazing job. Tired of people complaining ...too many fights.. i've never been to a concert where brawls dont break out.. its common..beer n rock music..its gonna happen..if u dont like it dont go to fuckn shows!!
Posted by: Enrique | September 27, 2012 at 08:55 AM