Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee is a popular venue for concerts and other live events. With a capacity of around 20,000, it hosts over 150 events every year. However, some concert-goers have complained that the arena can get very cold, especially for events during the winter months.
Why might Bridgestone Arena be cold for concerts?
There are a few reasons why Bridgestone Arena might feel chilly for concerts:
- Large, open space – The arena has a large, open interior which is more difficult to heat than a smaller venue. The high ceilings also make it harder to retain heat.
- Climate control – To accommodate ice hockey and other events, powerful air conditioning units are required. These may be left running at a cool temperature for concerts.
- Minimal insulation – With a roof but open sides, the arena lacks insulation which would help retain interior warmth.
- Cold air drafting – People entering and exiting the arena can let in blasts of cold outside air.
- Body heat – With 20,000 people, body heat should warm up the arena. But the volume of space and cold surfaces absorb that heat.
So the physics of heating and cooling a large, partially open arena makes temperature regulation tricky, especially in colder months.
What temperatures might fans experience inside?
The exact temperature inside Bridgestone Arena can vary:
- Winter concerts could see temperatures as low as 50-60°F (10-15°C) inside.
- A typical temperature range is likely 60-70°F (15-21°C).
- For some events the temperature may be raised to around 70-75°F (21-24°C).
This is based on reports from concert-goers. The facilities management team tries to find a balance between cool enough for active events, yet warm enough for seated concerts on cold days.
How does this compare to other indoor arenas?
Bridgestone Arena is not the only venue facing temperature control challenges:
- Madison Square Garden in NYC is also known for being cold inside, despite having a closed roof.
- Chicago’s United Center has faced complaints of temperatures in the 50s°F for Bulls basketball games.
- Setting thermostats too low is a common issue for large indoor arenas trying to save on energy costs.
However, Bridgestone Arena’s combination of cold Nashville winters and open sides likely makes it one of the chillier concert venues.
Does the cold bother musicians on stage?
Musicians and singers have commented on the cold conditions inside Bridgestone Arena:
- In 2016, Rihanna reportedly stopped her concert to complain about temperatures being “like 10 degrees” on stage.
- Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon Urie joked in 2018 about having “lost all feeling in my hands and feet” during their Bridgestone show.
- Elton John bundled up in a large fur coat for his 2019 concert at the arena.
So while the performers are active under stage lighting, the minimal insulation and cold surfaces can make the stage quite frigid as well.
Does this impact the audience experience?
Frigid temperatures inside the arena can certainly affect concert-goers:
- Many fans have complained about the cold on social media and review sites like Yelp.
- Audience members often wear heavy coats, hats, and gloves to concerts during the winter.
- Some people have gotten sick after sitting in the icy conditions for hours.
- The cold makes it harder to relax and focus on the performance.
- However, temperatures are usually bearable enough that major issues are rare.
While the cold is inconvenient, it’s a price most are willing to pay to see top musicians at the arena. But it does detract from the overall experience compared to a warmer venue.
What can be done to make the arena warmer?
Bridgestone Arena could explore options like:
- Adding insulation to the roof and exterior walls.
- Installing touchscreen technology instead of open door entries.
- Using localized heating systems to warm seats and aisles.
- Increasing set temperature on cold days, though costs would increase.
- Preheating the arena hours before events start.
- Providing free blankets for audience members.
However, major renovations may be constrained by budget issues and the diverse uses of the venue throughout the year. Smaller solutions like heat lamps or heated chairs could provide some relief for concert-goers on cold winter nights.
Conclusion
In summary, Bridgestone Arena’s large, partially open structure makes it prone to chilly temperatures during Nashville’s colder months. Heating such a big space is challenging and expensive. While frustrating, the cold is an expected compromise that most concert fans are willing to accept. But some upgrades could help take the edge off for performers and audience members alike on the arena’s iciest nights.