Dick’s Sporting Goods Park has hosted only one concert in its three-month history, but some have already sworn it off as a music venue.
Dozens of attendees at the Kenny Chesney show on Saturday said they were seeking refunds, citing traffic delays, sound problems and the absence of opening act Sugarland at the venue’s first concert.
Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles could not perform because of an illness, according to Brian Kitts, marketing director for Kroenke Sports.
“The policy was if you asked for a refund (before the show) based on Sugarland not performing, the refund was granted,” Kitts said.
Chuck Morris, president of show promoter AEG Live Rocky Mountains, said fewer than 100 people had contacted AEG for Sugarland refunds, and none for sound problems.
Still, e-mails, voice mails and online responses to a Sunday Denver Post review described the sound as “coming in waves, like you’re in the middle of a windstorm,” while others compared it to the “horrible” Eagles concert at Invesco Field at Mile High. That August 2001 show, which inaugurated the venue, left many disappointed after the audio system rendered music in the upper decks nearly inaudible.
Chesney, like the Eagles in 2001, opted to use his own system over the venue’s.
Chuck Morris told The Denver Post before the show that he expected fans would have a great time. “I feel very confident people are going to walk out with one of the best experiences in an outdoor stadium ever,” he said.
Morris reiterated his stance Monday, saying the venue plans to host more big-ticket shows.
“I know the radio station (KYGO) got a few complaints, but there were 22,000 people there,” he said.
Staff writer John Wenzel can be reached at 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com.
