what makes the Norva so hot?

[walkonby]

i randomly check out their line up from time to time and it usually destroys most of what is offered in the dc area.  classic example: two of my favorite bands with an incredible stage presence--the flaming lips and the polyphonic spree--are playing there and not here.  one wouldn't think norfolk, va as being such a smoldering destination of a venue town.

[jbcapati]

I never knew how good I had it growing up in Hampton Roads...I went to so many great shows at the Boathouse: the Sundays, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Peter Murphy, Material Issue, Midnight Oil, Mighty Lemon Drops, to name just a few.  It was a sad day when Hurricane Isabel destroyed it in 2003.  There is talk of a (Boat)House of Blues going up, but of course that wouldn't be the same.
 
 The NorVa is a nifty venue, like the 9:30 but slightly bigger.  Tickets are usually cheaper than DC area shows and tickets are easier to come by.  For example, the recent Decemberist show was is in $25 dollar range and tix available day of show vs. the Strathmore which was $40+ and sold out relatively quickly.
 
 I'm thinking of checking out Polyphonic Spree there and have tickets for Morrissey.  The best part is you can make reservations for dinner the night of the show and get into the club 15 minutes before general doors open to get a great spot for the show.

[eltee]

Sometimes it might just come down to schedule/availability/travel logistics/price, etc.
 Rotation of venues too...
 I think of it as a cross between 9:30 and Rams Head Live. I don't really dig all the TV screens, but the main floor is the opposite of 9:30 - always plenty of room. I dig the pit and bars outside - wish 9:30 had those! I agree, the prices are so much better.

[Sage 703]

A large part, as I've always understood it, is the club's superior sound and incredible backstage area.  Artist amenities out the wazoo.

[distance]

having seen bands on the same tour at both venues i would have to say that the 930 sound is better from my experience.
 
 things i like about the norva:
 the shows are typically around 25% cheaper than dc
 parking is cheaper than dc
 traffic is not as bad as dc (takes less time to get there/back even though they're approximately the same mileage away)
 and prior to january 1, the norva was non-smoking.
 
 i haven't liked the sound as much compared to the 930's
 also the norva doesn't get as many of the shows i want to go to as compared to 930
 also, less places i want to eat in the norfolk/hampton/beach area as compared to dc.

[Reod Dai]

I lived down there for a year, and went to more than a few shows at the NorVa.  And I can safely say that their lineup doesn't even come close to what DC has to offer.  Once in a while, a really good band will swing down that way, something that always made me feel really lucky when it happened.  I'm extremely envious of the Flaming Lips show, and would so be there if I still lived in the area, but that is one of those all too rare exceptions (along with the Polyphonic Spree).  I found myself driving up to DC or down to the Cat's Cradle far more often.
 
 That's not to say that the NorVa isn't a good venue.  Matter of fact, I love the place.  I often used to think what a shame it was that more good bands didn't come down that way, but so many of them completely skip that area.  They'll play Atlanta, and perhaps Chapel Hill or Raleigh or somewhere like that, then head straight up to DC (or vice versa).  I was extremely surprised when Death Cab played there, as well as The Decemberists (both after I moved, of course).
 
 The best shows I saw at the NorVa were Of Montreal, Matt Pond PA, and The Violent Femmes.  Oh, and Opeth.    
 
   

Originally posted by dcwizard:
 For example, the recent Decemberist show was is in $25 dollar range and tix available day of show vs. the Strathmore which was $40+ and sold out relatively quickly.

Tickets for the show at Messiah College were only $15.  

[zombiemuffin]

Originally posted by callat703:
  A large part, as I've always understood it, is the club's superior sound and incredible backstage area.  Artist amenities out the wazoo.

Backstage is really not that incredible.  The main thing everyone raves about is the hottub, but all I gotta say is that I hope they disinfect that shit on a daily basis...
 
 I've always really, really disliked the NorVa, but with the Boathouse gone, it's pretty much the only joint in town that brings the big names.  Even though it's about 3 hours away, I'd much rather go to a show at 9:30 than the NorVa.
 
 Oh, hey, first post.

[kmb187]

I'm much closer to the NorVa than 9:30 while at school and I have to say I'm consistently underwhelmed with the artists they book. I went there for the first time a few weeks ago to see My Brightest Diamond, but that's one of the first shows I've ever had any desire to see there. (I find more interesting shows are held at the Satellite Ballroom.) Occasionally they'll get someone good--I believe Flaming Lips, TVotR, and Morissey are coming up--but, for the most part, it runs a bit too mainstream pop/punk for me. (For a while back in the fall, it was consistently that or hardcore/metal.) I guess it just depends on what you like.
 
 As for the venue itself, I still prefer 9:30.

[Here's the thing]

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

The NorVa does not consistantly get big draws of the type of music we all generally like. Of late they've had some greats booked: Decemberists, Flaming Lips, Polyphonic Spree, Morrissey, TV on the Radio, etc, but it's generally nowhere near the caliber of acts the 9:30 gets.
 
 That said, the NorVa is a great club as several have attested to, and being in Richmond I prefer jaunting south because it's a little closer and has some nice amenities and easy parking among other things.
 
 But 9:30 crushes it on pure quantity of decent acts playing.

[distance]

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
  That said, the NorVa is a great club as several have attested to, and being in Richmond I prefer jaunting south because it's a little closer and has some nice amenities and easy parking among other things.
 

and as far as going to shows from richmond that aren't in dc, the drive from richmond->norfolk isn't as brutally boring as the drive from richmond->chapel hill.  i loathe I-85.

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Originally posted by distance:
  and as far as going to shows from richmond that aren't in dc, the drive from richmond->norfolk isn't as brutally boring as the drive from richmond->chapel hill.  i loathe I-85.

I concur with my fellow Richmonder.

[Darth Ed]

Seriously, when was the last time The Flaming Lips played DC? Other than VFest last year, of course, which I didn't attend. It feels like I've been waiting 4 or 5 years to see them in concert.

[distance]

Originally posted by Darth Ed:
  Seriously, when was the last time The Flaming Lips played DC? Other than VFest last year, of course, which I didn't attend. It feels like I've been waiting 4 or 5 years to see them in concert.

930 club in april 03
 patriot center (kind of near dc, i guess) in october 03.
 they really haven't done any standard touring since 03, though, at least as far as headlining goes.  i've only seen them as a headlining act one time since august 03 out of.. 5? 6? shows... something like that.

[RatBastard]

I MUCH prefer the drive to dc and back than the trip to norfolk.  The early entry deal is sweet but the staff at the norva cant hold a candle to the staff at the 930 club.
 
 On a side note, rumor has been making the rounds for years that the norva owners are opening a club in richmond.  I would FAR prefer if the 93o people would do that.  If so I want to know ahead of time so I can put in an application ahead of time.