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Charlie & Debbie

Amp Ballantyne Isn’t Just Charlotte’s Newest Concert Venue, It’s The Best

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Author Charlie & Debbie

I never thought I would be writing what I’m about to.  Let me add that as a golfer in the Charlotte area, my next statement will be seen by some as sacrilegious.  I don’t miss the golf course at The Ballantyne Resort.  Wait, let me rephrase that, AMP Ballantyne has made me not miss the golf course at The Ballantyne Resort, anymore.  There, I said it.

It started a month or so ago when friends invited my wife and I to join them after work for a ‘Blue Monday’ (a TREMENDOUS 80s music band) show at the new amphitheater in Ballantyne.  We pass this and the resort every day on our way to and from work on 521.  Therefore, saying, “It’s too much out of our way,” was out of the question.  Honestly, I’d been resentful of that whole project where a beloved Charlotte golf course used to be.  I had a lot of memories on that track, and I was heartbroken to see it razed.  So, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be contributing to anything at that location.  Then, we arrived.

OMG.  We’ve been around concerts and concert venues for more years than most of you reading this have been alive.  Pay attention here.  AMP Ballantyne isn’t just the newest concert venue in Charlotte.  AMP Ballantyne may be the nicest, best laid out and planned concert venue we’ve ever been around.  And this initial thought was confirmed on Saturday night when we hosted the Eli Young Band/Matt Stell/Roads Below Veteran’s Day concert for The Wounded Warrior Project

Let’s start with concessions.  I’m not a big concession stand guy.  Ever.  I AM a HUGE food truck guy.  There are hookups for multiple food trucks at AMP Ballantyne.  And the variety was different for Saturday night’s concert from the show last month.  I love that.  As they say, variety is the spice of life.

Now let’s deal with what matters most, the concert experience itself.  Visually, the stage at AMP Ballantyne is stunning.  With its open-air configuration, you can see the lights and vibrance of South Charlotte at night in the background, and it’s stunning.  There’s not a bad seat in the house (even if technically, there are no seats <g>).  And the sound is truly amazing.  I walked all around and no matter where I was, the music and lyrics were crystal clear.

Finally, and I don’t know how else to say this, I felt “safe” with my wife at AMP Ballantyne.  Look, I know that no place is 100% free of potential crime.  That being said, AMP Ballantyne’s South Charlotte location is far more conducive (than other venue locales in town) to a positive experience for everyone.

Within the next nine months to a year, there will be more and more opening up around AMP Ballantyne as well.  Envision being about to go get something to eat or get a cocktail at a bar or restaurant and then being able to just walk a few hundred feet to enjoy an amazing outdoor concert-going experience.  That’s going to be the reality of AMP Ballantyne.

Leaving Saturday night, all I could think about was, “When/how can we get people back here soon!”  Then I took one last look from the stage to a spot on the upper left of the property.  That’s where the 18th tee box used to be.  I smiled, exhaled, and realized it’s never looked better.

7 No-Nos That Spell Bad Etiquette at Concerts

Concerts are all about good vibes and enjoying great music. But sometimes, there’s an annoying side to the experience: dealing with bad concert etiquette. While most attendees understand the need for respect and consideration, a few don’t get it. From talking during quiet moments to excessive smartphone use, it’s safe to say that not everyone gets the memo on how to keep the concert vibe alive.

Unruly Concert Fans

With Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour breaking records and drawing massive crowds, many concertgoers have found themselves dealing with less-than-ideal behavior from their fellow music enthusiasts. In fact, videos have surfaced showcasing artists dealing with unruly fans.

From Cardi B to Pink

Remember that incident with Cardi B? She threw a microphone into the crowd after someone chucked a drink at her during a concert. And let’s not forget when Harry Styles got smacked in the eye by a piece of candy in Vienna, and Bebe Rexha needed stitches because she got hit by a mobile phone in New York. And Pink had quite the surprise when someone decided to scatter their mother’s ashes on stage during her show in London. But maybe the most jaw-dropping moment was when Ava Max got slapped by a concertgoer right in the middle of her performance in Los Angeles.

Some people speculate that the extended break from live music during the pandemic might have brought in a wave of post-COVID attendees who are still learning the ropes of concert etiquette. According to the LA Times, many people link this issue to COVID-19, suggesting that the pandemic may have affected our social skills. While the pandemic did have a significant impact, the LA Times argues that it’s time to stop using it as an excuse for unruly behavior, especially since by the end of 2020, COVID-19 shutdowns have ended, and restrictions have eased.

So, what are some concert no-nos that count as bad etiquette? Check out our list below.

  • Throwing Things at the Stage. You're Not Thor!

    Never throw objects, such as drinks or debris, during a concert. This can cause harm to other concertgoers and disrupt the performance. Not to mention, it’s just rude. In July, singer BeBe Rexha had to get stitches after getting hit by a cellphone during her New York show.

  • Holding Giant Posters & Signs. You're Not On the Picket Line!

    Certain performers are open to engaging with signs displayed by fans in the audience. But oversized banners and signs can be disruptive, potentially obstructing the view for other concert attendees. Imagine dropping a bunch of cash to see your favorite artist, and all you get is a close-up of someone’s giant poster. So, maybe think twice about lugging those signs along and just leave them at home. Still, it’s worth noting that a massive sign isn’t necessarily a concert showstopper. Take, for instance, Chris Dare and his wife Shantelle, who attended Adele’s Las Vegas show in August. They held up a sign that read, “Adele, will you do our gender reveal?” To everyone’s surprise, Adele invited them on stage, saying, “No one’s really allowed signs in here. I’m just obsessed that you got one in. I’ve never done this.” She then revealed the baby’s gender in a viral video moment.

  • Excessive Phone User

    Bright screens and loud notifications can be distracting. Silence your phone, and if you need to use it, step out of the concert area. This also goes for taking photos and videos. A few pics or short videos are cool, but nobody wants to watch the whole concert through your shaky camera. Plus, it can block others’ views. In July, Miranda Lambert stopped her Las Vegas concert mid-song to call out fans for taking selfies.

    Person holding modern smartphone on a concert.

    m-gucci/ Getty Images

  • In & Out Concertgoer

    Don’t be that person who’s always up and down during a concert. If you absolutely have to leave your seat, do it quietly when there’s a break between songs. Think about it, every time you get up, you make a whole row stand up to let you through. So, save your bathroom breaks and drink refills for intermissions, or opt for an aisle seat if you know you’ll be up and down a lot during the show. It’ll help keep things smooth for everyone.

    People in the auditorium watching the performance. The audience in the theater.

    igoriss/ Getty Images

  • Loud Chit Chat

    Nobody likes the person who talks loudly during the entire concert. They’re the one who chats with their friends at full volume, not realizing they’re annoying everyone else trying to enjoy the music. Essentially, they unintentionally disrupt the concert experience for others who just want to listen to the music without constant chatter in the background. If you want to chat, do it outside the concert area.

    Cheerful crew dancing together and an outdoors festival

    bernardbodo/ Getty Images

  • Inebriation Nation

    Excessive drinking or drug use can lead to obnoxious behavior and can be a safety concern. In a way, the concertgoer who’s sloppy drunk or high is like the wild card at the concert. They add an unpredictable element to the mix. While they might be having a blast, their actions can be a distraction and annoyance to others who are trying to enjoy the music in a more composed manner.

    Silhouette of a woman in a crowd watching concert at open air music festival and enjoying. Crowd with raised hands.

    zamrznutitonovi/ Getty Images

  • Space Invader

    Remember to respect people’s personal space and be aware of how you move around in the crowd. Most concerts are all about dancing and having a good time, so feel free to dance the night away. Just be sure to look around and make sure you’re not accidentally bumping into others while you’re at it. Additionally, being considerate means refraining from pushing or shoving them to get closer to the stage.

    Happy crowd enjoying at music festival in nightclub

    Wavebreakmedia/ Getty Images

Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.

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