I have attended a dozen concerts or more at Echo o...

I have attended a dozen concerts or more at Echo over the years. This really is a hell of a venue if you love the mainstream EDM scene. TL;DR below.

What echo does right- reasonable enough nightclub drink prices (Still $8-14 for rail drinks), huge soundsystem (you will leave hoping you wake up without tinnitis), nice visuals (great in front AND back), big name artists play here (pretty much every week), huge bathrooms (short lines if any even whwn packed), they plate late (3-4am show end times typical, no other venue around Maryland or Virginia seemingly allows this.

What Echo does wrong:
1) Oversell the floor; big name shows that sell out, you feel like a sardine, and you cannot escape it without hitting the bathroom or near the front gate (where you cannot see the show).
2) Shirtless people; it s gotten worse over the years to the point where you actually need to anticipate brushing up on sweaty shirtless people every time you go, especially if in the back.
3) loudness of speakers; only a problem in front, but this is the loudest it will ever get, at any concert. They have festival sized speakers, indoors. You will likely permanantly damage your ears if you come here often and stand directly in front of them.
4) Audio technical preferences; this one is a personal issue with the sound quality on some shows, the kick drum is entirely too overwhelming, to the point where it s negatively affecting the quality of the music. I don t believe it s the artist, I ve seen Armin 4 times here and his sound was awesome at Echo 3/4 times, but 1 time the bass was completely messed up due for the whole show due to a blaring kick drum. I found this true also at my last A&E concert.

TL;DR : Great venue to get cranked, have a good time with a girlfriend or friends and dance to loud music late into the night. Not a great venue if you are sober, claustrophobic, don t like extreme loud noise, flashing lights, bumping into dozens of people, or shows ending at 4am.