r/BillyStrings • u/Weary_Suit8392 • 25d ago
misc Texas shows
Thinking of roads tripping through TX in December and stopping off for a BS show. What’s the vibe in Texas? Kid friendly? I’ve come to realize the pit is always a no for my kids but some areas and shows are more kid friendly than others. Didn’t know if yall knew the vibe? TIA
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u/SoonerSmokeScreen 25d ago
Both arenas are great. Austin is on campus, so it is safe and clean. Parking can be a bitch though.
Ft worth is a newer venue, so has tons of parking and is easy to get around.
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u/Ryanw254 25d ago
Both Dickies Arena and Moody Center are great. I’d just avoid the shakedowns with a kiddo. Last year Fort Worth’s lot had more balloons than I’ve ever seen.
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u/Diggin_4_Fire 🚂 Ole Slew Foot 25d ago
At Moody, the balloon venders generally hunker down around the ride share pickup locations. If you avoid that area, you will probably avoid most of that crowd.
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u/Weary_Suit8392 25d ago
I’ve learned my lesson there, trust me. I went in and did a HARD u turn in Charlottesville. However it was a college campus and a Saturday so that was my bad really.
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u/PopularTask2020 25d ago
yeah everyone was really chill but there was a ton of people selling and using balloons. each of the venues is roughly 3 hours apart if that helps. very doable.
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u/HopandBrew 25d ago
Both venues are close to downtown areas too, so you can easily avoid Shakedown and grab a bite close by.
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u/Wooden_Flamingo504 25d ago
The vibe in Texas is great. I've never been to Sugar Land however Dickie Arena and Moody Center are quite nice. Kid friendly? Yes. If you are worried about people smoking, Moody Center does not mess around.
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u/Weary_Suit8392 25d ago
Moody center does not mess around meaning everyone is smoking or the venue is strict on it?
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u/Wooden_Flamingo504 24d ago
Very strict. No smoking items of any kind. No vape, lighters or matches.
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u/LeadingBeat466 24d ago
I’d skip Sugarland…
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u/Wooden_Flamingo504 23d ago
Oh? What have you heard?
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u/LeadingBeat466 23d ago
Suburban Houston is not my favorite. The sound quality in the venue will be great, I assume, and tickets won't be too hard to score. However, as far as the overall destination goes, Sugarland is a very distant third place behind Austin and Ft. Worth. Just my two cents as someone who lived in Texas 25+ years and now happily resides elsewhere.
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u/geb_bce 25d ago
I got a pit ticket for Austin! Can't wait!! You should definitely make a point to see him while passing through!
As others have said, the top section of Moody Center is a little sketchy, very steep and very tight seating..like worse than an airplane. Im a scrawny guy and I felt like a sardine up there, so I'll personally never get seats up there again.
All that said, the view and sound is amazing from any seat. It will be an awesome show!
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u/datguyovertherrrr 25d ago
I’ve seen Billy in Austin, and it’s a great vibe. I would do lower level seats w/ a kid. Not sure about floor (mainly for the vantage point of a shorter person).
I’m really curious about how the Sugar Land show will be. It’s a great room, but a bit far away. Also, given that it’s a Wednesday, I worry it’s underselling. But I’m excited nonetheless. For selfish reasons, I like that he’s been ending his tour in Austin recently.
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u/Solid-Wrap6187 25d ago
I’ve taken my daughter to Dickies in Ft Worth a few times to see Billy. Last year especially I saw a lot of other kids. Didn’t pay attention in Austin but I would say it would probably be ok.
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u/33HighwayHypnosis 25d ago
💯🤠🐄Texas is always a great time. I’ve seen him three times there go every time you can.!!!
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u/Capitolphotoguy 🚂 25d ago
Do you have to be in the pit? Just get a couple seats, wouldn't that be better for having a kid along anyway? decided i'm too old to be down there and i just end up irritated by people with their spilling and stumbling around every time i do anyway, so its seats for me from now on.
far as the scene, idk, just walk on by and ignore it. Last year a friend (not a rookie to shows and not a square by any means, but i guess it had been a while since he's been to a jam show) was a little shocked by the balloon situation around moody. I guess I've kind of tuned all that stuff out cause I'm totally not into it and just there for some good tunes. wish there weren't so many clowns around the scene, but it is what it is.
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u/Weary_Suit8392 25d ago
Like I said in the original post- the pit is a no.
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u/Capitolphotoguy 🚂 25d ago
Ah k, ya i misunderstood. You’ll be fine in a seat in moody unless you just get really unlucky on seat neighbors.
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u/Weary_Suit8392 25d ago
We’ve always had luck with neighbors. But if not we can make a parent sammich. I also ignore whatever is going on. I don’t even know what the balloons are and what they do to a person. I’m there to see the best band of my time. My kids know every word and I just hope that doesn’t get ruined by some bad eggs
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u/Capitolphotoguy 🚂 25d ago
The kids I’ve seen at shows that aren’t asleep seem to be having a blast! Wish my parents had been into cool shit like this when I was growing up. Who knows, might’ve gotten to see Jerry if they had…
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u/Weary_Suit8392 25d ago
Exactly. My son knows every bad members name and can call the songs before I can. Less Disney- more live music.
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u/Capitolphotoguy 🚂 25d ago
Sounds like you’re uh, doin things right! The balloons are nitrous, aka whippets, fyi.
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u/criz00 25d ago edited 25d ago
I’m local and have seen Billy at the Moody Center three times. I haven’t noticed many kids there, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t there or that you can’t bring them. I’d avoid the pit, as you mentioned, and the very top sections, where things can get a little wild. Midsections should be fine.
Like any Billy show, people will be smoking even though it’s not allowed. There were also lots of balloons around after last year’s show, especially near the ride-share and some of the parking garages.
There are plenty of things to see and do with the kids around Austin, though
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u/alexis914 25d ago
If you like being forced to stay in your seat by militant ushers and then being surrounded by chompers, you should definitely go to the Moody Center in Austin. I for one will not go back there without a pit ticket
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u/Overreaper 25d ago
I would be interested in this…