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Author Topic: The Live Venue Thread  (Read 14453 times)

karl gambolputty...

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The Live Venue Thread
« on: 17 Mar 2008, 09:33 »

A cursory look-around didn't turn up a thread like this from history, which is strange seeing as how we all seem to be fans of having good times in public while listening to rock stars rock out.  Apologies if it does exist and I missed it.

That out of the way, what's your favorite place to see bands?

I'll start.

Austin:
The Parish (amazing acoustics)
Emo's and Stubb's (where the 'big name' bands play)
Antone's (kind of classy, someplace you'd maybe bring a lady-friend to introduce her to the joys of live music)
Red Eyed Fly (to feel like a badass punk rocker)


Washington DC:
The Black Cat & 9:30 Club (clearly I missed their heyday, but they're still the places to go)
Rock and Roll Hotel (very cool, but sort of in a sketchy neighborhood and a bit hard to access unless you don't mind driving and parking in a sketchy neighborhood)
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a pack of wolves

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #1 on: 17 Mar 2008, 10:02 »

I like this thread.

Leeds
The Common Place - The only permanent completely DIY venue in the city, it's a volunteer run autonomous social centre. I love it.
The Brudenell Social Club - Excellent sound, plenty of seating, friendly staff and DIY gigs all over the shop. Many of the best gigs I've seen in my life have been here.
The Packhorse - A total sweatbox in the summer but at one point it was the go-to venue for any kind of DIY gig, and I have so many good memories of seeing bands there. It is just a room above a pub though.
The Fenton - Another pub. Alright, but the PA is a bit fucked at the moment, and the mural of John Peel is hideous although I appreciate the sentiment.
Royal Park Cellars - A rather more shitty pub I'd never set foot in if it weren't for the gigs. Another terrible sweatbox in the summer months, and the sound is often a bit shit. It's ok though, and seeing JR Ewing and Oxes rip it up there was cool.
The Cockpit - Where the bigger bands play. Utterly hideous and I never go there, bad sound, bad atmosphere, guaranteed to fuck up any band's show.
The Library - Not too bad but it's a chain pub and very soulless.
Joseph's Well - Hideous beer. Truly appalling. It's also too narrow, unpleasant when very busy and too big with a small crowd. If you have an above medium turnout for the room it's ok though.

Bradford
The 1in12 Club - This place is absolutely legendary, an anarchist club that's been running for over 25 years. When R.A.M.B.O. played the UK they only did one date and it was here, not without reason. Sam Smiths on tap too. Awesome.
« Last Edit: 17 Mar 2008, 10:04 by a pack of wolves »
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Liz

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #2 on: 17 Mar 2008, 11:05 »

Fargo
The Aquarium - Pretty much the only place in Fargo that brings in the bands I like.They have brought in acts like Caribou, Band of Horses, Holy Fuck, Ted Leo, and other good stuff. It's a pretty tiny venue but I have never been to a bad show there. It just kinda has a good vibe to it.
The Red Raven - My favorite venue for local/smaller shows. It is absolutely tiny and tends to feature local hardcore bands that aren't that great, but it has such a great atmosphere and sometimes has the most amazing shows. I saw Mount Eerie here last fall and it was probably my favorite show of all time.
The Venue - The Venue brings more big-name touring acts to Fargo, which is good. I saw Bright Eyes, The Spill Canvas, and Hellogoodbye here last year. It's not the greatest atmosphere for a show but it's a pretty nice place and I'm glad Fargo is starting to attract more attention.
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Hat

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #3 on: 17 Mar 2008, 11:26 »

This thread is really depressing me because I'm listening to the piece they did on Hack about the death of the Alley Bar.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #4 on: 17 Mar 2008, 11:44 »

In New York, I love Joe's Pub, The Knitting Factory, and The Bowery Ballroom.

And for a venue of its size, the Hammerstein Ballroom is really great.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #5 on: 17 Mar 2008, 12:22 »

Southern Ontario woo woo:

Brantford - quite possibly the shittiest city of all time
The Ford Plant - They put on awesome, really cheap shows, always all ages. The only drawback is that it is kind of small, but I think that actually adds to its charm.

Guelph
Vinyl - Pretty much the only consistently good place to see shows here. Occasionally there is a decent one at the E-bar. I've seen some pretty neat shows here like the Hidden Cameras, Wintersleep, Holy Fuck, the Constantines, You Say Party! We Say Die! Basically just a bunch of Canadian bands. I am going to see Born Ruffians next month.

I could talk about Toronto, but someone who has actually lived there would do a better job.
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TheFuriousWombat

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #6 on: 17 Mar 2008, 12:25 »

The Bowery in NYC is amazing. Probably the best venue, however, which is sorta three venues in one, is the First Unitarian Church in Philly. First of all they have an amazingly wide variety of artists play there. I've seen MONO, The Album Leaf, The Thermals, The Wrens, Xiu Xiu, Panda Bear, The Books, Low, Grails, World's End Girlfriend, Kimya Dawson, Do Make Say Think, Chris Garneau and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone there, to name just a handful. I'm seeing Islands, Efterklang, M83, A Silver Mt. Zion, Converge, British Sea Power, Tapes N Tapes, Owen, The Mountain Goats and Battles there at various points over the summer with many more likely to come once they're scheduled.
The main venue is the church basement. It's a rather small single room and has a stage that's little more than knee height, lots of speakers, and tons of old records for sale in the corner. It's a wonderfully intimate venue and conducive to really high energy performances and quieter, more subdued ones alike. It's fantastic.
The larger, far less used venue is upstairs in the church itself. These are generally seated shows where people sit in the pews. I saw The Books, Panda Bear and Do Make Say Think in here, the latter of which is probably the best show I've ever seen. It's an absolutely gorgeous room with terrific acoustics and, luckily, they only put shows in here that one can easily sit at without missing anything. Some shows I wouldn't go to if they were in a seated venue but the organizers chose wisely and it's only used when it'll work.
The last venue is the chapel, a tiny side room that only holds 50 people seated. I saw CftPA and Chris Garneau in here and it's wonderfully intimate and makes for some powerful performances. I've been to a couple dozen venues in my day and I've not only seen the best shows at the church but I've found it to be the most versatile venue, always intimate, rarely with any technical flaws, and always a energetic/awesome audiences. It's one of the things I miss most about home while I'm here at school, if not the thing I miss the absolute most.

The Starlight Ballroom, also in Philly, is also pretty great. A big, converted dance club, they boast some amazing bands. I've seen Man Man (twice), Deerhunter, O'Death, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Architecture in Helsinky, Explosions in the Sky (twice) and Eluvium (twice), again to name just a handful of the shows I've been able to go to there.

The great thing about both these venues is that shows always cost between $10 and $12 no matter what which is amazing. I would be listing a lot more shows but I've missed out on so many here at school. Check out the website to see more of the people who've played there (the two venues are connected to R5 productions) in Philly which does a lot of shows in a handful of venues.)
« Last Edit: 22 Mar 2008, 10:49 by TheFuriousWombat »
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karl gambolputty...

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #7 on: 17 Mar 2008, 14:29 »

The best thing about Stubb's is the the creek-bed right outside where you can sit and be right next to the stage and listen to the show for free.  It's how I enjoyed Mogwai and Belle & Sebastian a couple SXSW's ago (Matador showcase = impossible to get into).
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #8 on: 17 Mar 2008, 15:19 »




Washington DC:
The Black Cat & 9:30 Club (clearly I missed their heyday, but they're still the places to go)


Yeah, what everyone thinks of as the 9:30 now I still call the WUST.   That place used have, like, nothing in it, and was used as an ad-hoc church on Sunday mornings.  It got it's name from the radio station call letters that used to broadcast from there.  Good bookings there were really sporadic.  I saw the fall brawl there in 89.  I also saw Bad Brains open for Living Colour there.    Otherwise, the place was just "Meh" at best.

The old 9:30, on the other hand, was the fucking shit!  There was a huge sign at the entrance that said maximum capacity was 199 people yet they used to sell like 400 tickets in advance for shows and usually had door sales too.   Good fucking god they packed us in there like sardines.   There was a pole right in the dead center of the dance floor too.   My head bounced off that thing many, many times.   

I used to practically live in that place.  I've seen everything from Exodus open for Sick of it All there to  KMFDM open for Ministry.   So many good shows.   Other places that used to kick ass in the 80s were the Safari Club, the Hung Jury (before they closed it), and Club Asylum --if you knew the secret knock to get into the joint after hours.   We drug Tim Alexander from Primus there one night and made him hang out til dawn the night before a gig.   Man....good times, good times.
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Ishotdanieljohnston

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #9 on: 17 Mar 2008, 15:38 »

In Melbourne I'm a fan of the Corner Hotel, The Forum and The Metro. Thats about it, I've heard good things about the East Brunswick Social Club as well.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #10 on: 17 Mar 2008, 15:50 »

Brisbane:

Step Inn: Used to be the Shamrock. Comes first because it replaced Phoenix as the default place to go see metal once Phoenix became Rosies. Also home to BJ, easily my favorite bartender of all time, the dude is a pro. Not exclusively metal however, some hip-hop and DnB gets played there from time to time, a nice versatile small venue that has a great bistro as well. One of the only places to drink in the valley where the drink prices aren't through the roof.

These next two places are in the city and therefore fairly cheap to drink at as well:

Rosies: Very much a 'scene' club nowadays, but there are still good shows here from time to time if you like Hardcore music, or are a giant hipster twat. Not a genuinely bad place to get drunk per se, but has a cover charge even when there's no band playing, personal pet peeve of mine. Excellent place to get laid.

Fat Louies: One of the few genuine dive bars left in Brisbane. Pool hall. Home to punk shows and people getting hit with pool cues occasionally. I thought this only happened in movies. Not the kind of place you want to take your girlfriend, unless she is good in a biff, but still a good place to go if you like seedy, hot bars, and wild raucous music.

Rics: Pros: No cover charge ever, excellent range of music played, tabletop pacman and galaga scattered around the place, excellent DJ upstairs, hell the DJ downstairs between bands is pretty great as well.

Cons: If you go there to see a band that more than 10 people like, is horribly cramped, is situated in prime Fortitude Valley real estate, and being as there's no cover charge, this means that it is expensive as shit to drink there. Is a "place to be seen" and therefore is crowded full of people who liked the band you are seeing better before they sold out.

The Zoo: Good medium sized venue, mostly used for international bands not big enough to pack out the Arena or Tivoli, friendly bar staff, the drink prices suffer being located in the trendy Fortitude Valley, but since all the venues i am listing from now on are in the Valley, assume it suffers from high drink pricing. Suffers from lack of air conditioning and being hot as fuck. Main strength not actually inherent in the venue itself, but is that there are always good bands playing there.

The Columbian Bar: Can someone in Brisbane tell me what the fuck happened to this place?

The Arena: Not quite as large as the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, but used for touring bands too big for the Zoo, but too small to pack out a giant fucking basketball arena like the BEC or the Brisbane Convention Centre. Is a good size and has a nice balcony for easy viewing without being crushed, but most of the bands that play there are dogshit anyway.

The Tivoli: Similar in size to the Arena, but being a much nicer establishment, is usually booked by a better quality of band. I haven't actually been there myself, but I am seeing Porcupine Tree there in April, so I hope its as good as everyone says.

299: Used to be the depot, and is in stiff competition with Rosies for the place that scene kids want to be seen at. Rosies has the advantage in that it actually has a loading dock for bands, whereas bands who play at 299 have to find a park, haul their gear up the street, into the valley mall, through the front door, up the stairs. Apparently they do have a back loading dock but managment don't want it to be used, are probably using it to manufacture cocaine.

The Globe: Independent movie theatre that doubles as a music venue. Has a sloped floor which has the advantage that everyone can see the band, but the disadvantage that this hurts like fuck if you're standing up for too long. Most people sit down between bands though, except for the bigger shows. Loves to book bands that are a little theatrical and fun, and is probably one of the most consistent venues to see the fucking awesome prog bands that this city is home to at the moment.

The Jubilee: A pub on the outskirts of the valley. Mostly home to small local band festivals, largely punk. Reasonable drink prices, and room for three distinct stages without too much sound bleed, hence why people like to organise festivals of local bands there. It has pokies though, which fills me with rage.
« Last Edit: 17 Mar 2008, 16:03 by Hat »
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onewheelwizzard

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #11 on: 17 Mar 2008, 16:04 »

First Unitarian Church and Starlight Ballroom

I second these!

But I live in a venue so I prefer it to both of these.  Pi Lam is awesome!  We are hosting Make A Rising, Pterodactyl, and Off The International Radar on the 28th of March, and Human BBQ (see the thread about "for people in the Philadelphia area" for details) is on April 5th.  Our shows are usually 5 bucks but BBQ will be 12 because we will have so goddamn many bands (15 or something, plus DJs in the basement once it gets late).
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #12 on: 17 Mar 2008, 16:12 »

Nottingham
The Royal Concert Hall:
A venue that feels very intimate, because it's more about height than depth and you feel very close to the onstage action at all times. The acoustics are perfect, too. You can talk to the performers onstage while barely raising your voice. I've seen Nick Cave (or more accurately, Grinderman before they became Grinderman) and Ryan Adams here, and they were both jaw-dropping, although Adams will go down in my personal history more for the two stunning girls whose numbers I failed to get than for the gig, which was great too.
The Ice Arena: A serviceable venue that I don't mind going to because 1. I can sit down easily and 2. a lot of the bigger acts go there. I saw blink-182 there during their final UK tour and it was magnificent. I saw Green Day there during the American Idiot tour and it was mediocre. I saw Foo Fighters there and finally realised why they aren't my favourite band.
Garvey Ballroom or something?: A shitty little venue I've only ever seen mentioned once, and that was on the press release for the Graham Coxon gig I attended. I couldn't stay until the end because my photographer was my ride and he had to go. Before the gig, Graham Coxon himself walked past me a foot in front of my face, and I didn't realise until he was already halfway backstage. I was within spitting distance of one of my biggest idols and DIDN'T FUCKING REALISE. But it was a hell of a gig. Doesn't seem like a good gig venue, though.
Rock City: This is apparently one of the most revered venues in the country, and as far as atmosphere, I've never been to a venue with a better one than Rock City. However, it's an utterly disgusting venue. It has about five bars, and I think fewer toilets than that. The stage is tiny, so a band with more than three people in tend to struggle, but as I said, the atmosphere is through the fucking roof. Amazing place to see a gig. The backstage area is fucking hilarious, because the headline band get a room about the size of the inside of a tourbus, while the second band get a room about the size of a toilet cubicle - when I was there, Lucky Nine (a five-man band) were in it, and half the room was taken up by their cooler. Brilliant venue, though.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #13 on: 17 Mar 2008, 16:14 »

In Melbourne I'm a fan of the Corner Hotel, The Forum and The Metro. Thats about it, I've heard good things about the East Brunswick Social Club as well.

The Corner's pretty much the go-to venue in Melbourne. Big but not too big, friendly, and most importantly it always has excellent sound.

Really though my favourite venue will be heavily dependent on the band I'm seeing. Pretty much all my gigging experience has been in Melbourne, so that's the only place whose venues I know about. The East Brunswick Club is really nice: basically the Corner, but about a third of the size. I've seen some amazing shows there, and some just downright fun ones. But on the other hand, seeing someone like Anthony Atkinson there is not was not as good as seeing Okkervil River there - but only because I'm used to seeing Atkinson at smaller, more intimate venues.

The Northcote Social Club is probably my favourite venue around here - in size it's in between the Corner and the East Brunswick, so you can get a reasonable audience in without feeling feeling too much like just another face in the crowd. For local bands I like Bar Open or the Old Bar in Fitzroy.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #14 on: 17 Mar 2008, 16:23 »

Spring City, PA

Chaplins Music Cafe:
http://www.chaplinsthemusiccafe.com/
It's a Music cafe.  has food, drink, a byob policy, and some damn good atmosphere.  They hold concerts most nights and bring in some cool acts.  Saturdays are open mic and always draw in some excellent artists (includeing my friend "Boog")  If you're ever in this little town, definitely check it out.  Right across from George's Music.
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karl gambolputty...

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #15 on: 17 Mar 2008, 16:24 »


DC used to be awesome but you missed it neener neener


Screw you DC!  Fuck you!
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #16 on: 17 Mar 2008, 16:25 »

Melbourne

A few of my favorites:
The Palais - Seriously awesome place. The sound has been excellent every time I've gone and the atmosphere is even better (being an old theatre). Mostly big-timers though (i.e. $75+ shows). All seated, but for most bands I've seen there it's suited them well.
The Forum - Similar atmosphere/layout, but with a fair chunk of standing room at the front too. Not so much just for big name acts. Good sound too. Seems to do shows for some of the indie and alternative names that have outgrown smaller venues.
The Athenaeum - All seated, with stalls and balconies. Great for acoustic shows, or 'softer' genres. Again, good for acts that have outgrown standing-room-only venues.
Hamer Hall - Haven't seen too many shows here, but the sound is AWESOME. Again, all seated. Multiple levels of balcony. The only acts I've seen there were Zappa plays Zappa and Sigur Ros. It's a great place, but I think organisers pay a premium for it.
The Corner - Couldn't really go without mentioning it. Not my favorite venue, but they've got the monopoly on gigs that I'm interested in lately (mostly indie/alternative stuff). The sound is great when they get it right, which is definitely the majority of the time. Good venue for going to see a band and having a couple of drinks, especially considering Richmond station (major railway hub) is a few hundred metres away. Standing room only.

A couple worthy of mention:
Northcote Social Club: - Prettey similar to the Corner, but a tad more relaxed. Not too uncommon to see shows and have the whole crowd seated on the floor.
Wesley Anne - Local acts only from what I've seen - probably not considered to be much of a venue for music, but it's one of my favorite drinking spots. Great beer garden too.
Hifi Bar - awesome for more rockin' bands, and I've never seen a show there where the sound was bad (except some local band 'festival' that they held a few years back). LOUD.
Espy - My brother went to Canada recently, and apparently this place has a reputation over there - It's a historic building on the beachfront in St Kilda, with 3 bandrooms and room to sit outside in the sun and drink. Mostly local acts, but some fairly well known ones (particularly in the Gershwin room). Oh, and the Melbourne 'trademark' trams run right past the front of the place too.

The East Brunswick Club is really nice...
Oh yeah, I've only seen a show or two there but the sound struck me as being better than the Corner or NSC, and it seemed like a slightly cleaner place at the time (?)

For local bands I like Bar Open or the Old Bar in Fitzroy.
Damn, how did I forget that place? Okkervil River played there a few years ago. WOW.

Oh, and damn them for closing down the Spanish Club. I only saw one band there (Because of Ghosts), and it was like a week before they closed the place. and it was F**KING FANTASTIC.
« Last Edit: 17 Mar 2008, 16:34 by DMart »
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #17 on: 17 Mar 2008, 16:35 »

Denvar
Red Rocks
Fillmore Auditorium
Maybe the Larimer Lounger, if you're into the scene
The Gothic's pretty cool.
that's about it, as far as I'm aware.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #18 on: 17 Mar 2008, 18:21 »


DC used to be awesome but you missed it neener neener


Screw you DC!  Fuck you!

Ha!  That wasn't exactly what I meant with that, but I can see how it came off that way.    Sorry, you got me wading through memories with mention of the 9:30.   

What's so funny to me is I'd go to a show in say... '88 and all I would hear is these guys who seemed ridiculously old to me because they were like....25 telling me how much better the scene was in '81.   I always felt like a young pup who missed it all.   Fact is, I got to see some great shows at the classic venue
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karl gambolputty...

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #19 on: 17 Mar 2008, 18:41 »

I guess that's how it goes with any scene.  I remember folks in Austin telling me much the same thing about the old days when Trance Syndicate was still around.  Oh well, here's hoping a new scene springs up someplace close.  I've been hearing things about Arlington, especially some place called the Iota, that I need to check out.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #20 on: 17 Mar 2008, 19:20 »

The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC is the best venue I've ever been to.  It's just a small club but everybody plays there; the Smashing Pumpkins did a week and a half residency last year, for instance.  Also, I saw John Cale there in '04 and next month I'm gonna see Lou Reed.  (yeah, psyched)

Also, the Grey Eagle in Asheville is a good place, the drinks ain't so expensive and they have a great kitchen and it's a tiny place with a 1' stage.  ugly as shit but beautiful when somebody's rockin it
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #21 on: 18 Mar 2008, 01:51 »

Austin:
Emo's and Stubb's (where the 'big name' bands play)

Any more details about Stubb's? Rilo Kiley just announced a date there in June and I'm not sure if I'll be in town or visiting family then... and wondering if I should schedule around the date. Not that the venue will really make or break the deal for me, just curious seeing how this topic and the announcement both came to my attention at the same time.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #22 on: 18 Mar 2008, 02:09 »

okay im a dc kid like the op so here are my thoughts on the venues ive been to:

The Black Cat: Definetly my prefered venue in DC. Metro accesable, not in a scethchy place, and they have a lot of bands i like play there. its pretty legit.

9:30: they've kinda gone more mainstream. not a lot of bands i like play there. and its a bit scethchier area than the black cat, but nothing bad. i'd be better if they had more bands i like. to much avengend sevenfold type metal and other stuff i dont really listen too

Rock and Roll Hotel: this could be a good venue, but its in a horrible spot. its on h street, with the nearest metro station about 15 blocks away through not so friendly dc steets. plus its really tiny in there. i was only in there for about 30 seconds though, so i really cant say more about the actual venue.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #23 on: 18 Mar 2008, 04:19 »

Denmark

Vega - Vega is the biggest and best "big name" place in Denmark, it's in walking distance from the railroad station and the atmosphere is great.. Bands coming there this year: Whitesnake, Dinosaur Jr., Viva le Fete, A Silver Mt. Zion, Low, Einstürzende Neubauten... Shall I go on?

Stengade 30 - Extremely tiny hardcore/punk/metal place. Saw Baroness/Kylesa a couple of months back.

1000fryd - Run by volunteers! Sort of vegan, sort of anarchist but not overly so. Mostly underground bands, mostly locals. But a really cool place! Near the church.

Train - Typical example of "we're trying to do everything"-place. They got a lounge, club, live-stage, restaurant and so on. Which reflects terribly on the bands that come there.. But it's alright.

Voxhall - This place is really blooming right now. Boris.

Pitstop - GREAT little underground place. Efterklang, Under Byen, Guddommelig Galskab and so on..
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valley_parade

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #24 on: 18 Mar 2008, 05:23 »

Since I've only been to like..two places in Boston for shows (Harpers Ferry and Agganis Arena), I'll do my hometown of North Adams, MA

Mass MoCA: It's a contemporary art museum with a few different places for bands to play. There's a regular auditorium that i saw some crap jam band in, a space upstairs where I saw a few local bands, and the outside area that's usually used for movies. Mission of Burma played outside a few years back, and it was absolutely fantastic.

Cafe Latino: located pretty much in Mass MoCA. The inside of the restaurant is nice for smaller shows. They usually host jazz and blues groups, but back in the day they had a lot of punk and whatnot (They Shoot Horses, Don't They? played last year, and the White York/imadethismistake stopped by for a night). The outside area has some amazing acoustics, and the added bonus of one of the museum exhibits as a backdrop. Matt & Kim played outside maybe three or four years ago?

Added bonus: If you go to one of the jazz/blues shows, there's a chance you'll run into me, collecting your monies at the door.

The cafe on Main Street used to host local punk shows, and so did the Contemporary Artists Center, until they left town. The cafe is under new ownership now, and they've started bringing in a jazz group on the first Sunday morning of every month. It's nice being able to kick back, eat breakfast, and see some music. I'll probably never see an obscure Danish pop-punk group there again, but I don't mind.
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karl gambolputty...

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #25 on: 18 Mar 2008, 08:17 »


Any more details about Stubb's? Rilo Kiley just announced a date there in June and I'm not sure if I'll be in town or visiting family then... and wondering if I should schedule around the date. Not that the venue will really make or break the deal for me, just curious seeing how this topic and the announcement both came to my attention at the same time.

Well, I'm guessing Rilo Kiley will be an outdoor show.  It's not the best place to see a band, it's outdoors and large, but if you can wriggle your way close enough to the stage, it should be a good time.  I saw Sonic Youth there a couple years ago, and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to, but I suspect that was more SY than the venue. 
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #26 on: 18 Mar 2008, 08:57 »

In New York, I love Joe's Pub, The Knitting Factory, and The Bowery Ballroom.

And for a venue of its size, the Hammerstein Ballroom is really great.

Great thread.  Those are some odd NYC choices, Monk.  Joe's Pub is a swanky sit down place where you can see eclectic music including world, cabaret and jazz.  Occasionally they'll have a rock or pop show but most often it will be someone like Emily Haines on the piano.  It's very nice inside, and I recommend it but get there early.  I saw Ute Lemper there not long ago.

The Knitting Factory is a slummy triple staged place that does primarily rock and (post) punk -- it's most often too loud, bizarrely shaped, tiny given some of the bands they get there, and has a small upstairs area with a separate bar and a few seats.  I don't know anyone that loves it, but you've got to go there sometimes because (for instance) it's cool to see Ted Leo with 150 other people in Manhattan.

Hammerstein Ballroom is awful.  I am curious to hear what you like about it because the acoustics are some of the worst I've heard in my life.  MSG has better acoustics.  Not only that, but they have crowds of 2000+ there and two freaking beer lines.  It's inexcusable.  I've seen tons of shows there including Franz Ferdinand, the Arctic Monkeys and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah but after the Arctic Monkeys show, it would take one of my favorite bands to bring me back for that punishment.  All the big venues are problematic to some extent in NYC, but this is my least favorite.  If you can, stick with any of the others, Nokia Theatre, Roseland, Radio City Music Hall, and the Theatre at MSG all come to mind. . . .

Bowery Ballroom:  Here I agree with you, it's definitely one of the best and tends to be at the cutting edge trend-wise. If a band's first album got higher than an 8 on Pitchfork, they probably played at the Ballroom in the last six months.   The rule about short people having to come early to crowd the stage and have a chance at seeing the band is especially true here . . . it's a high stage.  There are about 8 non VIP tables with chairs to fight over on the balcony but the space near the sound booth tends to stay open a little longer.

My favorites in NYC

Mercury Lounge.  It's just a room in the back of a bar, basically.  Decent beer, consistently sound-problem free production, small size, and a crowd that tends to be respectful and genuinely into the music make this a venue to prefer.  Also, great location on East Houston.

The Warsaw (Williamsburg).  This Polish national house turned concert venue feels like a high school gymnasium and provides great concerts, decent crowds, and the best concert food around (polish sausages, polish beer - Zywiec).

Studio B (Wiliamsburg).  The crowd here likes to jump around.  There's lounge space, but good luck finding a spot if you're at a sold out show and don't show up at doors.  Electronic shows and dance shows here are too much fun.  If you're going in the summer, bring something you don't mind sweating through.

The Delacorte.  This is the open air theatre in Central Park.  They started having occasional rock/pop/eclectic shows here a few years back.  It's rock with an open air thrust stage.  You really can't go wrong.

Town Hall.  This one's a bit controversial since it's seated and the ushers tend to be snotty, but after having seen at least 15 shows here I've come around to like it.  It's only for shows for which it makes sense to sit, so basically your quiet downtempo chanteuses and Sam Beam.  The seats are comfy, the mezzanine bar tends to be accessible, and although the balcony seats aren't ideal, they tend not to suck as much as other venues.  You really do want orchestra if you can manage it though, since balcony tends to make you feel like you're watching people watching a concert.

My least favorite venues in NYC

Terminal 5.  A thousand times, Terminal 5.  Whoever designed this theatre ought to be exiled.  You've got three levels and the stage is only visible from maybe 1/3 of the floorspace.  On the upper levels, you need to be right up against the banister to have a chance of seeing anything.  On the floor, you'll find yourself constantly elbowed by people who can't see squat unless you're front and center. The crowds here suck, and most bands will be muffled to oblivion from any spot but dead center on the floor.  The only way this venue works is if you come early and stake a spot on the floor with a group of friends, or if you're with no more than one other person and don't mind being rude to other concert goers with your elbows.

Webster Hall.  If you're a NYC concert regular, you'll often hear people say nasty things about this place.  After going to a concert here, you may be perplexed.  After all the space looks just like Bowery Ballroom but slightly bigger.  Well, Webster Hall has floorspace downstairs that operates as a club and a party space for out of town high-schoolers and the bass is often audible during your headliners' set.  Oops.  Also: there's no ventilation, little AC, the venue will gouge you for water, and there are sound problems about 50% of the time and catastrophic sound problems in about 1 in 5 shows.  I've lost count of the number of times the band has to stop their set because the monitors aren't working.  Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil since bands often get bumped here if they sell out Bowery Ballroom too quickly.
« Last Edit: 18 Mar 2008, 09:22 by pilsner »
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imagist42

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #27 on: 18 Mar 2008, 14:14 »


Any more details about Stubb's? Rilo Kiley just announced a date there in June and I'm not sure if I'll be in town or visiting family then... and wondering if I should schedule around the date. Not that the venue will really make or break the deal for me, just curious seeing how this topic and the announcement both came to my attention at the same time.

Well, I'm guessing Rilo Kiley will be an outdoor show.  It's not the best place to see a band, it's outdoors and large, but if you can wriggle your way close enough to the stage, it should be a good time.  I saw Sonic Youth there a couple years ago, and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to, but I suspect that was more SY than the venue. 

Outdoors and large is actually my favorite type of show (I still think part of the reason LCD Soundsystem/Arcade Fire has been my favorite show so far is because it was a nice, open arena). And I just discovered that tix for Wilco go on sale Thursday, too, so I think I'll be seeing quite a bit of Stubb's this summer...
« Last Edit: 18 Mar 2008, 23:11 by imagist42 »
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #28 on: 18 Mar 2008, 21:59 »

The Corner's pretty much the go-to venue in Melbourne. Big but not too big, friendly, and most importantly it always has excellent sound.

Really though my favourite venue will be heavily dependent on the band I'm seeing. Pretty much all my gigging experience has been in Melbourne, so that's the only place whose venues I know about. The East Brunswick Club is really nice: basically the Corner, but about a third of the size. I've seen some amazing shows there, and some just downright fun ones. But on the other hand, seeing someone like Anthony Atkinson there is not was not as good as seeing Okkervil River there - but only because I'm used to seeing Atkinson at smaller, more intimate venues.

The Northcote Social Club is probably my favourite venue around here - in size it's in between the Corner and the East Brunswick, so you can get a reasonable audience in without feeling feeling too much like just another face in the crowd. For local bands I like Bar Open or the Old Bar in Fitzroy.

I need to go to Melbourne some time to go to some of these venues, because pretty much all of the ones in Geelong suck.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #29 on: 18 Mar 2008, 23:42 »

Fargo

What she said. Also Pete's in Moorhead has bands occasionally-it kind of looks like any small-town venue-thing on the inside with it's wood paneled walls and crappy 70's carpet, but with super nice bathrooms, as well as the downtown VFW, which is where I caught Mt. Eerie with Calvin Johnson (pseudo-secret show) with about a dozen other people. The VFW is always a little creepy looking because it's in a basement with a low ceiling and no stage, and there are an awful lot of old grizzled fellers upstairs who don't mind being creepy.

The thing that's nicest about the Aquarium in Fargo is that it holds a maximum of about 300 people, and it's usually the same people who go to all the shows. It's nice to be able to know that you're going to run into someone you know so you don't have to be alone.
Oh yeah, and most shows won't cost more than $5, unless it's all-ages.

If you've lived in Fargo long enough, or you were old enough, you'll have heard about the now-legendary bar called Ralph's. I think Chuck Klosterman mentions it in IV, actually. Touring bands-even if they didn't play in Fargo-always stopped for a drink there if they were going through. Calvin Johnson and Frog Eyes (they all got drunk and waxed poetic about how sad eminent domain is) have great stories about it, too.

I go to the cities a lot too, and my favorites there are the 7th St Entry part of First Avenue, and the Triple Rock. The Current and Radio K tend to do a lot of shows at both places.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #30 on: 19 Mar 2008, 02:01 »

Can anyone in/from/around Sydney please tell me what the Manning Bar is like as a venue?
« Last Edit: 19 Mar 2008, 02:03 by n0t_r0bert_b0yle!! »
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Guy Jackson

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #31 on: 22 Mar 2008, 03:56 »

In theNetherlands:
Amsterdam
If you've done the museums, coffeeshops and red light district tour and want some live music
Paradiso: Old church made Rock Stage, 2 stages, 1 big, 1 small. Both international and national acts, mostly the more alternative artists. Near the "Leidseplein", a square with lots of bars.
De Melkweg: Almost the neighbour of Paradiso. Big and small stages too. Lot of punkrock and metal here

Zwolle
Further east into the Netherlands, an old city.
Hedon: Popmusic venue at the edge of the centre of town. Very broad progaramming, from dance to hardcore punk.
Eureka: A bit of a "dive" among the local venues, stage in the attic. Very alternative. Came into existant as a squaters community, now it's a cultural centre.
The Living Room: A bar with a stage. Nice atmosphere, rock-oriented

Hengelo
Even farther east into the small country on the North Sea coast
De Metropool:[/b] Venue at the edge of town, a bit out of view. Broad programming

Enschede
Farther east and you're in Germany!
Attack: Possibly the biggest venue for the less mainstream artists in the Eastern region

Groningen
Way up North
Vera: Said to be the best indie/garagerock venue of Europe.
Oosterpoort: Vera's little brother

Eindhoven
The Dutch Detroit
oh drat! I forgot what that venue there is called... hgm
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Daft pun

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #32 on: 22 Mar 2008, 06:18 »

More Dutch venues

Amsterdam
Club 11: For all your minimal techno needs. Pretty good restaurant during lunch and evening hours for a fair price. Also in the best location ever, on the eleventh floor of an old post depot = gorgeous view all around. Close to the central station as well.
Melkweg & Paradiso: What Guy said, although Paradiso usually caters to a somewhat older crowd with established bands, Melkweg tends to go for the myspace acts more.
Heineken Music Hall: For big (inter)national acts only.

Rotterdam
Rotown: My favourite place around here. Not too big and usually populated with friendly crowds. Mostly indie.
Waterfront: Has a dark basement-like feel to it, which isn't too bad I suppose. Punk and garagerock acts mostly.
Baroeg: If you're into metal, go here.

Utrecht
Ekko: Only been there once, the crowd was in the grips of apathy that night. Shame really, 'cause 65daysofstatic was playing. They deserve some response from an audience I reckon.

Den Haag or The Hague for the non-Dutch
Paard van Troje: All I remember about this place was the grindcore band playing nextdoor, not the brightest idea ever.
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mfpole

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #33 on: 22 Mar 2008, 08:13 »

My favorite around is Maxwell's (Hoboken NJ). Its a small room thats part of a bar. You can see from everywhere because it really is tiny. The food is pretty good, well I know at least the burgers are because thats what I've gotten every time I've gone. The people are pretty nice, one time I bought tickets online and they let me in even though I had left the tickets at home. Yo La Tengo do annual shows for the eight nights of Hanukkah, and a lot of other cool bands have played.

I live pretty close to NYC but I'm not a big fan of any of the Bowery Presents venues (Bowery Ballroom, Webster, Mercury Lounge, Music Hall of Williamsburg) because they are 90% of the time 18+/21+. I got turned down to see Les Savy Fav at the Bowery and I even had went with my (pretty cool) dad! I haven't witnessed sound problems at Webster Hall, but I have been there when it's been pretty fucking hot, and that kinda sucked but it wasn't too big of a deal.

Studio B was pretty cool when I saw the Go! Team there, a really fun show and tons of dancing.

I really like Cake Shop too, mainly because I've played there and the record shop in the back is pretty fun. The tickets for our shows have been pretty cheap (7$) and we got paid pretty nicely too. They actually do sell cake.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #34 on: 29 Mar 2008, 20:13 »

maxwells I wholeheartedly agree; have you ever been to the yo la tengo hanukah events?

music hall of williamsburg I like, although the rest of the bowery presents venues are so so. they are often 18+, and they sell out too fast, although that's not their problem. Any thoughts on terminal 5, new yorkers? that's the next concert I'm going to. (hot chip. psyched)

one of the oddest venues I've been to recently was the arcade fire/lcd soundsystem/les savy fav/blonde redhead/wild light show on randalls island. Still a great show however.

wow, man

mfpole, ballard, and i were all at that show.
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karl gambolputty...

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #35 on: 29 Mar 2008, 22:29 »

I recently discovered that the Iota in Arlington VA is very, very cool. 
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Chazbot

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #36 on: 30 Mar 2008, 00:08 »

Hamilton, ON:

The Corktown used to be a total rat-hole dive bar. Now it's under new management. My first band played there and the microphone gave me a skin disease reachinf from my mouth to my left eye. But, benefit gigs usually end up there, and a good cause is a good cause. Plus, saturdays they have 2 for 1 imports.

The Casbah presents a good variet of acts. One week it'll be a dj, the next week it'll be the Marble Index, the week after that it'll be a hardcore show. Not the kind of place you go on a whim unless you're very eclectic.

The Underground seems to be the best place to catch a metal show in Hamilton, Quo Vadis played there around Christmas.
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Luke C

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #37 on: 01 Apr 2008, 11:27 »

Leeds
The Brudenell Social Club - Only ever been once, was a nice venue though
The Packhorse - Only ever one gig there, I was one of 4 people there not from a band who were playing.
The Cockpit - "Where the bigger bands play. Utterly hideous and I never go there, bad sound, bad atmosphere, guaranteed to fuck up any band's show." - True, seemed ok when I was 14 but kinds sucks now. Too hot for starters! Though Breed 77 was a good gig I randomly went to there.
Joseph's Well - "Hideous beer. Truly appalling. It's also too narrow, unpleasant when very busy and too big with a small crowd. If you have an above medium turnout for the room it's ok though." Again true, I also once did stand up comedy there at my friends birthday party, half of it went well, the other half well...its not fun to die infront of 150 people.
Leeds Met SU - Good size, only been once and the sound cut out half way through the gig!
Uni of Leeds SU - Similar to the Met, though the sound has never cut while I have been there.

Bradford
The 1in12 Club - The only reason to go to Bradford, other than the Media Museum and the IMAX.

Manchester
Academy 1 - Good venue, newly done out also. Sound is pretty awesome
Apollo - Got REALLY hot but the bottom tier is sloped so midgets like me can stand and still see the stage.
MEN Arena - Sound is questionable at times but two of the greatest gigs I have been to were there.
City of Manchester, Old Trafford and Lancashire Cricket Ground - Will tell you in a few months after I have seen gigs there.
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Aceandcups

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #38 on: 01 Apr 2008, 16:03 »

The Smell
No Age, Abe Vigoda.
The Echo
Great Northern, Japanther, Radar Brothers, Silversun Pickups, Foreign Born, The Mae Shi, The Explosions, Upsilon Acrux, Triclops!, xBxRx, Midnight Movies.
The Roxy
Taken By Trees
The Troubadour
Fair to Midland, Enter Shikari, Federico Aubele, Acute
The Wiltern
Explosions in the Sky, Meg & Dia, The Color of Fred, Blonde Redhead, The Pixies.
The Silverlake Lounge
The Weather Underground
The Music Box
Animal Collective
El Rey
Under Byen

All in the Los Angeles area.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #39 on: 01 Apr 2008, 17:13 »

Southern Ontario woo woo:

Brantford - quite possibly the shittiest city of all time
The Ford Plant - They put on awesome, really cheap shows, always all ages. The only drawback is that it is kind of small, but I think that actually adds to its charm.

I agree wholeheartedly!

Hamilton:
The Casbah
I saw the Rheostatics here, it was a great atmosphere

Guelph
Cafe Aquarius-old location, upstairs
I once saw the Barmitzvah Brothers,The Constantines,Nathan Coles Outfit, and Noah 23 here. It was amazing. I don't think they do shows anymore and they moved back to their old old location downstairs. I will never forget this show

Cambridge
The Scout Hut, oh how I miss the days of when I was in high school and I used to go to here for local shows
Cambridge Center for the Arts
I saw my first show ever here

Southern Ontario represent!


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dalconnsuch

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #40 on: 01 Apr 2008, 17:25 »

the crocodile in seattle is great but its closing :(

oh well, we still have the showbox and the veirra project
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #41 on: 01 Apr 2008, 19:13 »

Washington DC:
The Black Cat & 9:30 Club (clearly I missed their heyday, but they're still the places to go)

Hell yes, really the only decent-size clubs in DC.  I caught Super Furry Animals and Blonde Redhead at the 9:30 Club this January.

Quote
Rock and Roll Hotel (very cool, but sort of in a sketchy neighborhood and a bit hard to access unless you don't mind driving and parking in a sketchy neighborhood)

I haven't been there yet, but I've gone to Granville Moore's retaurant right down the block, and yeah, it's pretty sketchy.  My wife and I were talking to the girl behind the bar, who told us that while she was fine with her FL Ave. apartment complex—where a dude got murdered in the alley behind her building—she wouldn't dare go more than a block from that nightlife district on foot.
« Last Edit: 01 Apr 2008, 19:15 by rynne »
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #42 on: 07 Apr 2008, 21:35 »

I saw Les Savy Fav at the Black Cat Club in DC just last Thursday. Amazing place, and the prefect venue to see LSF in.

Around here, the Orpheum in Madison is a great place, particularly the side/back-stage entrance, where I saw The Hold Steady. Makes for intimate shows with a little under 100 people. Really great for energetic rock shows.

I do like a few large-theater venues, like one in Chicago where I saw Gogol Bordello.
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karl gambolputty...

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #43 on: 07 Apr 2008, 21:49 »

 
I saw Les Savy Fav at the Black Cat Club in DC just last Thursday.

If you mean Friday, I was at that show!  Kind of!  I left because it was ridiculously crowded and my friends couldn't get tickets.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #44 on: 07 Apr 2008, 21:57 »

DC

Its been mentioned, but w/e, I like the new 9:30 club, although they seem to rarely book metal anymore.

Baltimore

Although it has "behind the scenes" issues that I wont get in to, Rams Head Live is still a great venue to watch a show

Sonar - The giant I beams are a bit annoying (and more than slightly dangerous with a mosh pit) but still a good venue to be literally next to the band

Also, I miss Phantasmagoria (wasnt in baltimore, but w/e)

Philly

The troc is decent

Electric Factory is also nice

Virgina

Jaxx - if you like metal and live anywhere near northern VA, well, I shouldnt have to say anything about this place

Colorado

Denver has some great smaller venues, but...

Red Rocks - probably one of the best concert venues in the world.  Doubtful theres even anything like it.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #45 on: 08 Apr 2008, 05:03 »

Update:

Hunter Center - Mass MoCA (North Adams, MA)

Pretty big (the Malkmus show was sold out..I think about 900 people?), and the acoustics are great.


Middle East Downstairs (Cambridge, MA)

Cramped without feeling claustrophobic, a little dirty looking, low stage, two bars..everything a good rock show needs! I saw Fu Manchu here a few weeks back, and may also catch Dead Meadow next weekend.
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absurdabsurd

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #46 on: 08 Apr 2008, 05:52 »

Milan (Italy)
... FAILS because it doesn't really possess any small venues. Except I'm told there's a new one called Casa 139 but they generally put on gigs for members of a society only and I've never been there. As far as the bigger venues go -

Rolling Stone : where I've seen most my gigs. If you want to be on the floor and see you have to get there relatively early (but speaking in italian terms that's still late) , but they do have a wall of bleacher-like benches from which the view is ideal. Or at least that's the way it used to be, I haven't been there in a while and am told it has changed management since. But this used to be the place to go to see most international acts passing through that have already broken elsewhere and are working on the italian crowds (I saw the Dresden Dolls, Porcupine Tree, Editors, Arctic Monkeys, Keane, Angels & Airwaves, etc there).

Alcatraz : sound is good, and as far as I can tell there are plenty of spaces to see from though down on the floor you do have to get in early as the stage is quite high. Drawbacks are that it's massively cavernous, which works ok with some bands (Editors) but completely ruins others (Billy Corgan solo) . Also once the live music is over the place often turns into a club night, which makes it insanely difficult to get out. This is where international bands who are getting too big for the Rolling Stone, but not big enough for a forum show generally try to play.

Forum : for the big acts. it's out of the city; getting there is a pain in the ass but they do try very hard for those who don't have cars and there's pretty frequent buses courtesy of the public transport network. Unusually for a venue of its type you can generally move up and down between the stalls and floor, but you do have to go outside to do so. It's dirty and run-down and a generally unpleasant place, but when Tool or Muse are rocking it out you tend to forget that.

Other ones include Transylvania, now called MusicDrome, and I don't think I've ever seen anything there but will be seeing the Black Lips in 2 weeks time. Then there's the Rainbow, which is in an incredibly shady area (the only time I've ever been scared when out in this city, and I was with a 6ft boy as well) and a really really TERRIBLE little concrete basement with shitty sound that gets so sweaty you can't breathe. The Mazdapalace that changes names every year or so, which is a rundown thing with separate stalls & floor that puts on acts sporadically (Bryan Adams, Incubus). Magazzini Generali is another small-medium-sized, pretty dire venue. The Stadio Meazza, otherwise known as the soccer stadium - I saw the Chili Peppers play and damn that was a show. I don't think anyone has played there since (i.e. even the Rolling Stones played at the Forum).

There's also the Villa Arconati which is out of the city, and holds a sort of 'festival' every summer - it's a really cultural affair with one or two acts a night that are put on in the grounds of this amazing mansion (they put up a tent with chairs in the back garden, though the bands' dressing rooms are in the actual building). I saw Gogol Bordello play there to a crowd of mostly middle-aged rich people which was so incredibly surreal; the 3 dozen or so actual fans stormed the tiny little space in front of the stage as soon as they started playing and we were dancing in clouds of sawdust at their feet. That was special.

Basically as far as Milan goes there are no great venues. You take what you get and you generally end up enjoying it because come on, it's live music.

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Cambridge, UK
SomeonegetmeoutofherePLEASEIbegyou. But, if anyone was thinking of paying a tourist visit/studying there...

Barfly - this is a cool venue. The sound quality is awesome for its size, they put on everything from completely unknown local acts to things like Laura Marling to upcoming Indie bands, etc. There's a pillar in the middle of the stage, which is weird for the bands playing but I've seen some people try and do awesome tricks with it. The room is freakishly long, but generally doesn't fill up to the point where seeing becomes a problem. Tickets are, however, overpriced.

The Portland Arms - this venue often puts on the more alternative artists. Youthmovies (in theory, though their van broke down), Thomas Truax... but the sound quality is INCREDIBLY shitty. But it does look like a dingy living room that's been long abandoned, and rarely ever fills beyond a few dozen people which has its own charm. Just not quite enough to get over the fucking fucked up sound.

Man on the Moon - AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Sound even worse, the room is in a fucking L-shape, there are so many things wrong with this place it drives me crazy when bands I like play there.

The Junction - One of the bigger venues. It's awkwardly shaped which means you can't see anything from the sides because the speaker stacks will block your view. Sound is all right.

The Junction 2 - Usually used as a theatre room; sometimes puts on acoustic performances which are great because there is no raised stage, just seats raising up around a wooden floor. It gives it a really story-telling atmosphere.

Corn Exchange - I really hate this venue. The sound isn't great, it looks a bit like a gym and you start feeling like you've just walked into a high school dance, if you're on the guest list and they've sold out the floor you get put on 'the balcony' which has a roof that slopes down so low nobody except the front row of chairs will be able to see and not even well.

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London
...why don't I live here?

Roundhouse - this is some seriously awesome magical venue. I've only ever seen the Dresden Dolls play there (when they were filming for their DVD) and they always transform a place, but I could imagine it would be a fantastic venue to see most acts and I can't wait to go there again. Legendary.

KOKO - I really like this place. An old theatre, you've got the floor below and 3 levels stretching up. The finishings are really nice (think opulent banisters etc), there's a giant awesome disco ball hanging from the ceiling, the lights are generally good though a bit overdone, and the sound has always been good. At sold out gigs it does sometimes get difficult to see if you're not there early enough, but I've seen some really really great shows there (e.g. Trail of Dead, Tegan & Sara).

ICA - sound is good, when I was there they didn't have any security in front of the stage which was weirdly refreshing; I've only been there once but it gets a thumbs-up.

Electric Ballroom - sound is ok, inside is dingy but works depending on what you're seeing, it does get very crowded and if you're not there early enough you might have some trouble seeing (though I think there is an upstairs bar area with a window facing down or something along those lines). If you have to wait outside it is not great because you're basically queueing up through Camden. It's functional and dirty in a kind of rock n' roll way?

Carling (Brixton) Academy - another old re-fashioned theatre. From inside, it looks like you're in a place bordered by buildings with balconies under the open sky. Sound is just about ok but not great, the floor slopes which is all shades of awesome because it means you can see from absolutely anywhere.

Hammersmith Apollo - this is so awkward to get into you already start off on the completely wrong foot - there's fucking railings and gates everywhere and you have to either make a massive detour to cross the road or risk your life jumping banisters and crossing several lanes if you're coming from the tube station. I don't really like the inside either, but the sound was ok. I've kind of blocked most of this out of my memory.

The O2 Arena - is just the O2 . For being a stadium it is awesome, incredibly organized & regulated which keeps things running more or less smoothly, you have pretty easy access to drinks/food from all levels (from what I've seen), and the sound quality is great. The only issue is the end of the night, when everyone attempts to rush the tube at once which is not ideal if you're trying to catch a train, and the location on the tube network is even less ideal (especially not if that train is leaving from Liverpool Street Station).

Small venues I've been to and liked include the Monto Water Rats, the Luminaire and the Notting Hill Arts Club . Ones I didn't appreciate much were the Dublin Castle, Catch-22.
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october1983

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #47 on: 08 Apr 2008, 06:28 »

KOKO - ...the sound has always been good.

...either you have been incredibly lucky or you are just insane. Seriously, as much as I enjoy the setting of KOKO from time to time, it saddens me that so many great bands play there, as the sound is notoriously bad. Admittedly, as with a lot of these old theatres-cum-venues (KOKO, the Forum, Brixton Academy, etc.), they're up against it because these buildings were designed with carrying unamplified noise well, so the moment you start blasting music out of speakers it's bound to get muddied, but sometimes at KOKO they do a job so poor it's criminal. The New Pornographers gig there last October was ruined by some of the worst sound engineering I've ever heard, at least for the first half of the set. Most of the time, I'll admit, it's not too bad, and it helps if you know where to stand, but I wouldn't call the sound at most of the gigs I've seen there good.

The Luminaire is one of my favourite venues in London by a long stretch - it's a bit of a pain for being so far out (and the other side of the city to me) but it's such a great place, and I'm a big fan of anywhere that forbids talking while bands are playing. For small-medium sized venues, the 100 club is also brilliant - seeing Holy Fuck there tonight and I cannot wait.

Also, the Portland Arms is hella fun for the back room of a pub. Some of the best gigs I've been to in Cambridge, though, were acoustic nights in the upstairs of Clowns Cafe on King Street - really good fun, but I've no idea if they still happen these days.
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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #48 on: 08 Apr 2008, 07:03 »

Re KOKO -

When I saw Battles I was pretty much in the second row, so much less dependant on sound carrying anywhere. For Trail of Dead I was on the first level balcony right where you walk in straight ahead up against the banister, and I guess the sound could have been better but they played with so much energy that night that the muddying kind of added to it in a "let's amplify this chaos" way. Tegan and Sara was, admittedly, not great but I had kind of put that down to my friend having dragged me to a pub for quite a while beforehand so my judgement was impaired (I totally regret that as well, I hate having had alcohol at gigs). I do, on second thought, take your point though. I guess I just enjoyed all those gigs so much that in my memory the sound must have been good.

I think they sporadically still put those acoustic nights on at the Clown Cafe; I know a friend of mine played a few months ago anyway, but I never made it.

They do acoustic gigs upstairs at the Boathouse as well, but that's just dire because last time I went it was more or less me and the bands who were playing in the audience. Sound was ok, though. 

I really really hate that it's practically impossible to get people out to gigs in Cambridge. I've seen so many awesome bands here with less than 20 people in the audience it's sickening.


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october1983

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Re: The Live Venue Thread
« Reply #49 on: 08 Apr 2008, 07:34 »

The Battles gig I saw at KOKO was okay for sound, but I've never known it be better than okay - like I say, they have a lot to contend with, considering the layout of the room, but sometimes they manage to make it even worse through poor mixing and the like. I think the best places for sound tend to be on the first or second level balconies, and the worst is definitely underneath the balcony on the ground floor - it just sounds like a bassy mess there. That said, I've really enjoyed some of the bands I've seen there because they've put on great shows, but sometimes an otherwise great gig is completely ruined by poor sound (especially the New Pornographers, all I could hear were bass and guitars, and some drums. It was awful).

I know what you mean about gigs in Cambridge lacking crowds - I think that was part of the reason I enjoyed the acoustic nights at Clowns - it was a fairly small room and it was always packed with really enthusiastic music fans. I had a similar experience when I got dragged to a gig at the Boathouse a while back, but by chance the only other non-performers in the audience turned out to be friends who I hadn't seen in years, so it was worthwhile after all ;)

Does the Barfly draw much of a crowd? I think it opened really shortly before I moved to London and I've never had a chance to go, but I've heard some good things.
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