birchmere versus nine thirty

[eltee]

Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
  What about late shows in the bandstand at the Birchmere?  The website says it's general admission with limited seating surrounding the dance floor.  Is it still necessary to get there really early, or is there plenty of room to get a decent spot if you get there shortly before showtime?
 
 "Decent" doesn't necessarily mean right up front, but I'd prefer to at least have decent sightlines.

I've never been, but I would think anywhere from that area, you'd be able to see. Heck, you could probably sit at the bar and see the show.

[Bombay Chutney]

Thanks El Tee.

[eltee]

Originally posted by El Tee:
   

Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
  What about late shows in the bandstand at the Birchmere?  The website says it's general admission with limited seating surrounding the dance floor.  Is it still necessary to get there really early, or is there plenty of room to get a decent spot if you get there shortly before showtime?
 
 "Decent" doesn't necessarily mean right up front, but I'd prefer to at least have decent sightlines.

I've never been, but I would think anywhere from that area, you'd be able to see. Heck, you could probably sit at the bar and see the show. [/b]

Oh wait, I've always thought of this as GA (general admission) not a seated event. I'm not sure how strict they are about watching from anywhere in the main. So, basically, I have no idea but I can find out.  

[edbert]

Originally posted by walkonby:
  ... in an area where i "may" not get robbed and killed just to see a show, ...

Isn't Birchmere in gang territory-  the "Southside Locos"?  Luckily they have a cop on duty in the lot every night, making it the safe spot in the barrio

[ratioci nation]

Originally posted by edbert:
 Isn't Birchmere in gang territory-  the "Southside Locos"?  Luckily they have a cop on duty in the lot every night, making it the safe spot in the barrio

yeah it really isn't in the best neighborhood, I lived nearby a few years ago

[Bags]

Who plays the late night bandstand shows?  That's a concept that could be intriguing...

[eltee]

Originally posted by edbert:
   

Originally posted by walkonby:
  ... in an area where i "may" not get robbed and killed just to see a show, ...

Isn't Birchmere in gang territory-  the "Southside Locos"?  Luckily they have a cop on duty in the lot every night, making it the safe spot in the barrio [/b]

oh yeah, the cop navigates the parking - they'll box your car in if you're not lucky. The cop leaves at a certain time, no?

[bellenseb]

The Magnetic Fields and Bob Mould are upcoming. I remember Robert Earl Keen and Love playing there in the past. I think they try to hold any show there where people are likely to want to dance, and/or it's more of a "rock" show.

[eltee]

Originally posted by Bags:
  Who plays the late night bandstand shows?  That's a concept that could be intriguing...

Just depends. And yeah, more of the louder, more movable, rock shows. Or, when they can't fit all the shows into the schedule, the spill over to bandstand.

[Bags]

Originally posted by bellenseb:
  The Magnetic Fields and Bob Mould are upcoming. I remember Robert Earl Keen and Love playing there in the past. I think they try to hold any show there where people are likely to want to dance, and/or it's more of a "rock" show.

The M.F. and Mould shows are bandstand shows?  
 
 Mould played in the big picnic room last time he was there, and I'd think sellout shows like Magnetic Fields would be in there as well.  Is the capacity of the bandstand at all close to the picnic room?  I'm quite surprised...this bandstand thing is relatively new, isn't it?

[ratioci nation]

I have seen the Jayhawks and Jay Farrar do shows at both the 9:30 and the Birchmere.  In both cases the Birchmere shows were acoustic, while the 9:30 shows were not.  I think that sums it up for me, a little simple I know, but then so am I.  In both of those cases the Birchmere show was better by the way.

[ratioci nation]

For those of you interested by the way, Magnetic Fields tickets can be purchased at Revolution Records according to the Magnetic Fields website.

[BookerT]

the magnetic fields shows this week are in the bandstand, but they are all seated. still, that's a good show to be seated for. i remember last time they played here it was at 930, and during the last song of the set someone's cell phone went off at a very quiet part and merritt said, "next time turn your cell phones off." you knew he wouldn't be back at the club after that. he's a bitter, bitter man. should be some great shows, though, they've been playing lots of pre-69 love songs stuff like "smoke and mirrors" and "strange powers" and the like.

[Bags]

So how many seats might fit in that bandstand area?  Doesn't seem like it'd be much...

[twangirl]

Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
  What about late shows in the bandstand at the Birchmere?  The website says it's general admission with limited seating surrounding the dance floor.  Is it still necessary to get there really early, or is there plenty of room to get a decent spot if you get there shortly before showtime?
 
 "Decent" doesn't necessarily mean right up front, but I'd prefer to at least have decent sightlines.

I've been to a couple of these. Dave Alvin/Los Straitjackets they didn't have tables in front of the stage, just on the sides and in the back, so it was a much more "rock" environment with a lot of people standing on the floor in front of the stage and not so much lighting, other than the stage lights. I had expected it to be kind of a drag, but instead was able to roam around to different vantage points and it sounded good from everywhere. Had a small pizza at the bar beforehand that was pretty good and I don't recall thinking it was expensive.
 
 About a month ago I went to see Raul Malo solo acoustic in the bandstand and it was entirely seated. Got there at 9:30 and the only tables still open were on the side against the wall and that smaller room in the way back. It looked like everyone else had been there for at least an hour. I ended up on the side, not the best vantage point but could see Raul just fine and the sound was excellent. Had an OK salad for dinner that was gigantic. I did appreciate the staff's quick action when an idiotic woman was yapping on her cellphone during the opening act's set, disturbing at least 10 tables. Once they had been made aware of the problem they shut that bitch up quick.
 
 I like the bandstand because it's more relaxed than the main room, but I think you still need to get there early if you care about where you sit. Although you can just lurk around in the bar/smoking section all night, with a decent side view, or hang out against the back wall or by the soundboard if you don't feel like sitting at a table. That's what I usually do.