The Palladium has been a mainstay in bringing high quality local and worldwide metal acts (as well as hardcore and punk) to the Massachusetts area. With a capacity over 2000, the venue is large enough to host bigger acts, but is small enough to still have an intimate, personal atmosphere. Additionally, The Palladium has a club upstairs, which often allows for two shows to go on simultaneously, or to allow patrons to choose between bands during larger tours or festivals that the venue hosts.
The set up is general admission, meaning there are only a few unreserved seats and tables. A balcony area (with seats) is occasionally opened for bigger acts and sold out shows. A huge bar is in the back of the larger, downstairs stage, while the upstairs club has a modestly sized bar.
Parking is free on the streets, and several parking lots and a parking garage are within 1 minute walking distance to the venue for a modest fee.
The sound quality at The Palladium is typically excellent, due to the great acoustics and very high ceilings. The front half of the audience area is perfect for headbanging and moshing, while the sides and rear of the audience area are great places for those who enjoy a calmer viewing experience.
I have to disagree with this...for most of the shows I've been to there, it's been awful. I don't understand why, though, because when I saw Iced Earth there in October 2008, they had BY FAR the best sound I've ever heard at the Palladium, and some of the best I've heard at any metal show, for that matter...but this is certainly not typical. Usually the drums are far too high in the mix, with too much in the low frequencies, while the guitars, vocals, and keyboards are often almost invisible in the mix...so obviously, the people who normally run sound there must be completely incompetent, or some of the touring guys are just REALLY good.
