When The Sound at Coachman Park first opened, staff at the park mentioned something that kind of blew me away. You don't need a ticket to enjoy the concerts. Really? In 2024? Can you really enjoy concerts at The Sound at Coachman Park without a ticket?
There's no such thing as free. Especially when it comes to concerts. There's the admission. Then you add those bogus "convenience" fees we all love. Let's not even mention parking, overpriced food and drinks. Needless to say I was skeptical.
Coachman Park is a public park so when the renovations were proposed to include a new upgraded concert venue, some took issue with charging people to see a show in a public park. A compromise was made. The design of The Sound would allow for those without a ticket to still enjoy at least… sorry for the pun… the sound. I'm told some artists haven't been a big fan of the idea of people getting to hear the show for free. Tonight I finally got to test out the free concert experience at The Sound.
Concerts at The Sound Without a Ticket: My Verdict
It's true. You really can enjoy concerts at The Sound without a ticket. Tonight two punk rock legends played Coachman Park. Bad Religion and Social Distortion play to a crowd of thousands who paid for tickets and about 100 of us freeloaders who brought lawn chairs and enjoyed the show.
The Best Location To Sit / Stand
The part of Coachman Park you want to claim your spot in is near the library. There's a hilly area where the music was easily heard. Stand in front of one of those white walls and you'll hear everything. In fact, you kind of had to shout if you wanted the person next to you to hear what you're saying.
Being 6'4", I also was able to peek over the fence a bit to see the stage. It wasn't a great view.... my iPhone megazoom was able to capture the photos you'll see below.
Is it a great concert experience? No not really. But you're getting your money's worth that's for sure. Give it a shot. Take a look at The Sound's concert lineup for 2024 and see if there's a show coming that you'd like to see - but maybe don't wanna shell out hundreds of dollars for. Save that money to get some pizza before the concert at my favorite spot anywhere in Florida - Cristino's Coal Oven Pizza about 5 minutes away on Fort Harrison.
Parking at The Sound
Oh - one other thing. The biggest complaint people had when plans for The Sound was announced was parking. I found FREE parking at the courthouse a 7 minute walk away. And there were PLENTY of open spaces. So enough with the there's not enough parking complaint. There is.
You can hear the concerts at The Sound at Coachman Park with no problem without a ticket. Just find a spot in the hilly area near the library and enjoy the music. But what about getting a peek at the stage at The Sound without paying? Is it possible? Sort of.
I was coming back from the beach Sunday when I remembered Social Distortion and Bad Religion were playing The Sound. I had to see if it was true - could you really enjoy the concerts at The Sound without a ticket?
Can you really enjoy the show at The Sound without paying?
After giving it a try, I'll say this. While it's not the prime concert experience of being inside the venue, you can definitely hear the show well. And there are even little spots where you can peek in and see a good part of the stage.
It's definitely worth every penny. Had you spent a penny. Take a look at these pics I snapped as I hung out with fellow freeloaders just outside The Sound at Coachman Park.
Zoom
My megazoom on my iPhone was able to snap this photo. Not bad for being a football field away and behind a fence!
Sunsets
Sure you may not have a front row seat, but you get to enjoy a Pinellas sunset.
Look for this wall!
Stand in front of this wall... it helps trap the sound coming from the speakers!
Green Sight Blocker
I'm told by one of my fellow field freeloaders that this green netting is new. It might be temporary. This guy in the blue shirt found a good spot where the netting sagged so he could see.
Comfy
Bring a chair, a beverage and relax.
Peeking
Some peeked through the green netting. I'm more about the sound, not the visual. So as long as I can hear the show, I'm happy!
Zoom
My megazoom on my iPhone was able to snap this photo. Not bad for being a football field away and behind a fence!
Sunsets
Sure you may not have a front row seat, but you get to enjoy a Pinellas sunset.
Look for this wall!
Stand in front of this wall... it helps trap the sound coming from the speakers!
Green Sight Blocker
I'm told by one of my fellow field freeloaders that this green netting is new. It might be temporary. This guy in the blue shirt found a good spot where the netting sagged so he could see.
Comfy
Bring a chair, a beverage and relax.
Peeking
Some peeked through the green netting. I'm more about the sound, not the visual. So as long as I can hear the show, I'm happy!
Zoom
My megazoom on my iPhone was able to snap this photo. Not bad for being a football field away and behind a fence!
Sunsets
Sure you may not have a front row seat, but you get to enjoy a Pinellas sunset.
Look for this wall!
Stand in front of this wall... it helps trap the sound coming from the speakers!
Green Sight Blocker
I'm told by one of my fellow field freeloaders that this green netting is new. It might be temporary. This guy in the blue shirt found a good spot where the netting sagged so he could see.
Comfy
Bring a chair, a beverage and relax.
Peeking
Some peeked through the green netting. I'm more about the sound, not the visual. So as long as I can hear the show, I'm happy!
Sunsets
Sure you may not have a front row seat, but you get to enjoy a Pinellas sunset.
Look for this wall!
Stand in front of this wall... it helps trap the sound coming from the speakers!
Green Sight Blocker
I'm told by one of my fellow field freeloaders that this green netting is new. It might be temporary. This guy in the blue shirt found a good spot where the netting sagged so he could see.
Comfy
Bring a chair, a beverage and relax.
Peeking
Some peeked through the green netting. I'm more about the sound, not the visual. So as long as I can hear the show, I'm happy!
Zoom
My megazoom on my iPhone was able to snap this photo. Not bad for being a football field away and behind a fence!
Sunsets
Sure you may not have a front row seat, but you get to enjoy a Pinellas sunset.
Look for this wall!
Stand in front of this wall... it helps trap the sound coming from the speakers!
Green Sight Blocker
I'm told by one of my fellow field freeloaders that this green netting is new. It might be temporary. This guy in the blue shirt found a good spot where the netting sagged so he could see.
Comfy
Bring a chair, a beverage and relax.
Peeking
Some peeked through the green netting. I'm more about the sound, not the visual. So as long as I can hear the show, I'm happy!
Sunsets
Sure you may not have a front row seat, but you get to enjoy a Pinellas sunset.
Green Sight Blocker
I'm told by one of my fellow field freeloaders that this green netting is new. It might be temporary. This guy in the blue shirt found a good spot where the netting sagged so he could see.
Comfy
Bring a chair, a beverage and relax.
Peeking
Some peeked through the green netting. I'm more about the sound, not the visual. So as long as I can hear the show, I'm happy!
Sunsets
Sure you may not have a front row seat, but you get to enjoy a Pinellas sunset.
Look for this wall!
Stand in front of this wall... it helps trap the sound coming from the speakers!
Green Sight Blocker
I'm told by one of my fellow field freeloaders that this green netting is new. It might be temporary. This guy in the blue shirt found a good spot where the netting sagged so he could see.
Comfy
Bring a chair, a beverage and relax.
Peeking
Some peeked through the green netting. I'm more about the sound, not the visual. So as long as I can hear the show, I'm happy!
