I've been there like 5 or 6 times now and your experience sounds stricter than what I'm used to.

Personally, I like the security there. I was a sold-out concert recently and someone had a seizure. Security was super efficient in identifying & getting them to safety.

I feel like I have the optimal amount of fun there. Mosh pits are allowed, but if someone falls to the floor - they get flashlit so the other moshers can help 'em out.

And I should say that the floor area was shoulder-to-shoulder packed at my last show. So your experience could simply be part of the band's rider.

It's one of my favorite venues right now. The sound is always great and shows run like clockwork. The only thing I don't like is that I wish is that they had another bathroom on Stage Left. I mean, there is, but it's for the VIP folks.