The Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, NH, is so much bigger on the inside. This venue is located in a fantastic tourist getaway town, right on the beautiful sandy beach.

It holds 2,200 concertgoers, so every place you are has an intimate feel. I recently went to see Aaron Lewis and was not sure what to expect. I hadn’t been to this particular venue in many years (Cindy Lauper, anyone?) but the experience did not disappoint.

Historically, AFL concerts can be (usually are) pretty rowdy, and this one was no different, but it was not sloppy-get-kicked-out-rowdy, which was a nice change from many of his other solo shows.

AFL played a great set featuring his new music; “Am I The Only One?” with a noticeably red-leaning flair-not unlike most of his solo music. He also played a few Staind songs and overall rocked the audience, as he always does. Things did get a little uncomfortable when he encouraged fans to sing and simultaneously throw middle fingers shouting “F@#k the Liberals!” as he sang “If I Were a Liberal” but he certainly can read the room and knows who his country fanbase is.

If you have the opportunity to see a show at the Casino Ballroom, it is absolutely worth the trip. It gets you right up close to the stage, easy parking (20$!!), and easy access in and out of the building.