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When I pulled into the parking lot near Long Beach\u2019s F&M Bank Amphitheater with just 30 minutes until the opening of the show on a recent Friday, my heart raced.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think we\u2019ll make it in time?\u201d I asked my boyfriend, worried.<\/p>\n
We were heading to Ice Cube and Mike Epps\u2019 \u201cEveryday\u2019s Friday\u201d concert and comedy show \u2014 a celebration of the cult classic \u201cFriday\u201d movie franchise \u2014 so a huge turnout was guaranteed. And ever since F&M Bank Amphitheater opened earlier this summer, my social media feeds have been flooded with complaints about Long Beach\u2019s new temporary waterfront venue. Concertgoers have cited uncomfortable seating, sky-high parking rates and long shuttle wait times.<\/p>\n
Those comments swirled in my head as I hustled toward the shuttle pickup line near the Pike Outlets. But to my surprise and relief, a bus arrived within a few minutes. After a roughly 15-minute drive through mild traffic, we made it to the venue just in time to see Epps tease a few audience members during his opening comedy segment.<\/p>\n
The 11,000-seat F&M Bank Amphitheater has gotten a lot of buzz in the two months it\u2019s been open, with conversations surrounding its funding, noise concerns in the neighborhood and the purpose of the venue for the city of Long Beach. My mission was simply to see what it\u2019s like to experience a show. The verdict? If you\u2019re not expecting luxury and you arrive with a healthy dose of patience, it\u2019s a treat.<\/p>\n
The long-term dream is a permanent \u201cLong Beach Bowl.\u201d Until then, the temporary F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach has 11,000 seats with views of the Queen Mary from the nosebleeds.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a rundown, starting with getting to the amphitheater. Because the venue doesn\u2019t have its own parking lot, the options are rideshare, the bus, e-scooters, bikes (with storage available at the venue), taking a water taxi ($5 per way) or paying $55 for reserved spaces, then taking the free shuttle.<\/p>\n
Walking inside felt less like entering a temporary venue and more like stepping into a mini music festival. The pathway toward the security checkpoint was adorned with a bright abstract mural, hanging lights and swaying palm trees. A display of lowriders greeted us alongside a massive mural of iconic scenes from the film \u201cFriday,\u201d including Cube and Chris Tucker\u2019s legendary \u201cDammnnnn\u201d moment. Deeper into the grounds, fans delighted in interactive art installations \u2014 from a replica of Pinky\u2019s Records & Discs to Craig\u2019s front porch. Nearby were even more classic lowriders that drivers made bounce and dance for the crowd. The layout made the space feel more expansive and interactive than just watching a performance.<\/p>\n
Food trucks and bars were scattered throughout, serving up tacos, burgers, hot dogs and other hand-held bites. I ordered a smashburger with fries \u2014 which was decent though the line moved slowly \u2014 and paired it with a cocktail, which was moderately priced by L.A. standards ($19 for premium liquor). Grab-and-go beers and seltzers were easily accessible although I didn\u2019t spot any refillable water stations around the venue.<\/p>\n
And a major thing to note is the venue\u2019s only restrooms are Porta Potties. I was instantly grateful that I\u2019d brought hand sanitizer as there weren\u2019t any hand-washing stations near the entrance. Fortunately, a second portable toilet area deeper inside the venue had working sinks and held up well throughout the show.<\/p>\n
Much like shows at the Hollywood Bowl, the concert kicked off a few minutes after 7 p.m. With our burgers and margaritas in hand, my boyfriend and I nestled into our seats in the center 300 section, which gave us a clear, unobstructed view of the stage. Thanks to the tiered bleacher-style seating, almost every seat in the house offers a great vantage point. The actual seats were hard and mildly uncomfortable, but we didn\u2019t mind this because we stood up for most of the show. Some attendees opted to hang out at one of the many picnic tables sprinkled around the venue.<\/p>\n
By the time Houston rap legend Scarface \u2014 who\u2019s known for his use of heavy bass \u2014 hit the stage I realized just how crisp the sound quality was. Even when we left our seats for a quick bathroom break, I could still hear the music clearly. The sound combined with lasers and immersive backdrop visuals of scenes from the films elevated the show experience.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s difficult to ignore the picturesque views of the harbor and famed Queen Mary, particularly at sunset. (On certain concert days, the Queen Mary offers free admission.) It felt like the perfect setting for a show that celebrated the beloved film, its soundtrack and most importantly West Coast hip-hop culture.<\/p>\n