Review: Snoop Dogg opens the Long Beach amphitheater with a bang
After entertaining a sold-out crowd of 11,000, the Long Beach native was given a key to the city by Mayor Rex Richardson.
Long Beach native and international rap legend Snoop Dogg christened the new Long Beach amphitheater (officially dubbed the F&M Bank Amphitheater) Saturday night — and it was a party.
Love him or hate him, Snoop knows how to put on a show and the sold-out crowd of 11,000 was vibing.
While there are some minor operational kinks to be worked out, the venue and experience were great. Any concerns that the outdoor space will diminish sound quality should be forgotten, as it sounded phenomenal from the floor seats to the back of the grandstands.
Drink lines were manageable and bathroom lines were nonexistent. I didn’t have any food but there were numerous options, including multiple food trucks, and people seemed to be satisfied.
Official venue parking sites cost $55 and have free shuttles to the waterside venue. I, however, opted to park in the Pike Outlets’ structure and walk to the Aqualink at Aquarium Dock 4. Long Beach Transit offers $5 roundtrip rides to concertgoers. In all, I spent $20 for parking and transportation, which is barely more than the $17 (before tip) Modelos I drank.
After the show, Mayor Rex Richardson presented the 54-year-old rapper with a key to the city.
“Long Beach created the culture, and Snoop Dogg shared it with the world,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “Tonight’s sold-out opening of the FMB Amphitheater was more than a concert, it was a historic cultural moment decades in the making. Presenting Snoop Dogg with the Key to the City recognizes not only his extraordinary achievements in music, entertainment, and business, but also the authenticity, creativity, and pride with which he has represented Long Beach on the global stage for decades.”
All in all, the venue appears to be a success. As long as it is booked well, I think it will make a great addition to the city’s musical legacy.
Editor's note: Professional cameras were not permitted inside the venue outside of the photo pit, so all Watchdog photos were taken with an iPhone 17pro.
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