Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
Camden, NJ
Capacity (Summer): 25,000
July 5, 2005
by Jim McCoy for Earvolution.com
Any poll, formal or informal, would likely find that few Philadelphia-area concert veterans over the age of 25 or so are fond of seeing a rock act at the Tweeter Center. Opened just over ten years ago, the amphitheater was part of a chain of ambitious redevelopment projects along Camden's waterfront that included an aquarium, a minor league baseball stadium and an office building designed by noted architect Michael Graves.
Its setting along the New Jersey side of the Delaware River is impressive enough, affording generous views of the Philadelphia skyline and the nation's most decorated warship - Battleship New Jersey - which is permanently docked in the waters alongside the venue. On a day which an event takes place, a significant police presence, restricted access to the areas off the main thoroughfare and evidence of slowly moving gentrification can make one forget that Camden often trades places with Compton, CA and Gary, IN when academics and agencies analyze statistics release their yearly studies that contain listings of the most impoverished and/or dangerous cities in the United States.
Truth be told, the sound at the Tweeter Center is for the most part loud and clear with video screens and a large center projection that allow patrons to catch the action from all areas of the venue. The problem lies in that it is a most sterile and unhip environment in which to take in a performance by a rock band. Unlike the original Philadelphia Spectrum (or even its more modern counterpart located down the block in South Philadelphia) the Tweeter Center gives off a constant suburban movie theater vibe that is difficult to shake. Security can be very helpful, but sometimes walk in small packs sporting a mall Rent-a-Cop attitude that is neither friendly nor service-oriented. (The Tweeter Center was the first venue in which I was told to sit down in my 12th-row seat for a Van Halen concert some years ago.) Security is also rather fond of walking through rows and conducting random ticket checks during the performance itself.
Contrast this to a gritty old hockey and basketball arena filled with history whose management has chosen to adorn the arena’s ceiling with banners highlighting the accomplishments of the Grateful Dead and Billy Joel alongside those which commemorate Philadelphia's legendary athletes and precious few world championship teams. Security is both professional and competent, and most importantly knows how to exercise discretion. Vito from South Philly is more likely to give you and wink and a nod as he discovers you moving up four rows into empty seats in the same section, rather than call out an army of his yellow jacketed brethren and causing a scene.
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