What We're Missing: A Decent Concert Hall

[ggw]

Shamelessly copped from DCist:
 
 May 11, 2007
 
 What We're Missing: A Decent Concert Hall
 
 We love D.C., but we know it's not perfect. Is there something you think we're missing? Let us know.
 
 I don't want quibble to with Graham's review of last Friday's Arcade Fire show, or the generally positive blogospheric reaction to the concert. I was in attendance, too, and thought the band put on a solid performance of its impressively powerful catalog. I left satisfied, if a little disappointed that the night hadn't been as awe-inspiring as TAF's previous shows at 9:30 and the Black Cat.
 
 The next day The Arcade Fire played Philadelphia, and I was in the audience then, too. Seeing the same show twice in two nights isn't something I'd normally do, even when the band in question is one of my favorites. But I'm glad I did: despite a nearly-identical setlist, the Philadelphia show was considerably better. The band was more into it, I was more into it, and it was just an all-around better time.
 
 So why was one show better than another? Simply put: the venue. Although Philly's Tower Theater is also a concert hall with about the same number of assigned seats, it's still worlds better than the almost criminally-bad Constitution Hall. Bands are flatly betraying their fans when they book shows at DAR, a venue that's more appropriate for a state funeral than a rock concert.
 
 It's not just the inevitable echoey character to the sound, or its lack of surrounding dining & nightlife options, or the difficulty of getting and drinking a beer, or even the stupid gilt eagles peering down on the stage. It's the sum of all of these things, which add up to an audience of sober fans sitting politely â?? a sight that can't help but dampen a band's spirits and lead to a show that's worse than it could have been.
 
 Asking bands to play several less-lucrative nights at smaller venues is obviously not a strategy that's likely to work â?? it would've taken more than three nights to reach the same number of fans at the 9:30 Club. And nobody likes arenas â?? for some types of acts they're simply not a viable option. But we still deserve better than DAR.
 
 http://www.dcist.com/archives/2007/05/11/what_were_missi_7.php#comments
 
 The comments are the usual "DC crowds suck/don't suck; House of Blues will be horrible/great"

[vansmack]

This isn't exaclty news, but were any of the comments:
 
 What we're really missing: enough decent bands that could fill a concert hall that would make building one a viable option in DC.

[Bags]

I'm so sick of the goddamned "dc crowds suck" crap.  Move.  Amazingly, you'll find little better elsewhere, and far fewer shows to attend most places.

[vansmack]

Other than my experience of SSPU at the Snow Patrol show, I have rather enjoyed most SF crowds.

[Mobius]

I like Tower Theatre a lot. And the State or Fox Theater in Detroit.  We'll manage, but of course its cool to see a show in a classic old theater with character and atmosphere.  
 
 Constitution Hall does seem to have improved over the years - but in the same way Hains Point Golf Course has improved - it raised up a notch and its now at notch 1.  (to quote Huggy Bear in Starsky and Hutch for no good reason).

[Herr Professor Doktor Doom]

It's a shame the Citadel closed!
 
  <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/213/493630166_00045a0f6c.jpg" alt=" - " />

[Firebutt McGee]

Personally, I hate the Tower Theater. I dont think the sound is the same from certain sections, and unless I'm in the front 10 rows, I just dont have the same experience. Havent been since Radiohead's two night gig last year, and I'm not planning on going back...(unless of course, somebody I love LOVE love is playing there.)
 
 BUT...
 
 I dont think the problem with DC is a lack of good venues. People are forgetting the AWESOME Strathmore Hall. That place kicks ASS. I've only seen three shows there, but all three have gone above and WAY beyond whatever expectations I had before walking in there. (For the record, I'm talking about two PHENOMENAL shows in particular: Sigur Ros and Emmylou Harris).
 
 THEN AGAIN, I really think that no matter where you see a show, if you're really into it, and the crowd is actively interested in the band/show, then you just make the most out of it. \
 
 Stop blaming random venues and stop blaming DC for your shitty seat/bad attitude.

[distance]

i've been to tower once, but i was 7th row.  it was quite nice from there, however i would say that from my experience and what i saw that night, security is really shitty (as in assholes to people not a "bad job").  i saw some situations that were handled quite violently that i didn't see any reason for them to be handled in such a manor.

[Vas Deferens]

What's missing in DC is a nice theater that sits at least 3,000 people.
 
 Warner Theater is nice, but only holds 1,800.
 Strathmore is nice, but only holds 2,000.

[bearman🐻]

We need a venue comparable in size to the Riviera in Chicago or the Warfield in SF. 3,000 to 5,000 would be good. Seth, have you ever explored that as an option? Any thoughts or ideas?

[slappy]

I guess the old Washington Coliseum/ Uline arena where a little band called the Beatles played their first US gig makes too much sense.
 Just a couple blocks from Union Station for easy access.
    <img src="http://www.demolitiondc.org/ulinedisp.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 This photo was also taken there.
 
   <img src="http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s96.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 Of course, no band would want to play the same building the Beatles, Stones, Dylan, etc. have played. Joe Louis even wrestled here to pay the IRS.
 
 Nope, It'll surely be Hammersmith Palais'ed.
 
 'Curse of the Lion' fact: The London Lions hockey club played in the Hammersmith Palais in the 30's.
 Uline Arena was built for the Washington Lions hockey club in the 40's.
 
 Mindless fact: The 'Arena' in Arena Stage has its origins here.

[xneverwherex]

Originally posted by Bags:
  I'm so sick of the goddamned "dc crowds suck" crap.  Move.  Amazingly, you'll find little better elsewhere, and far fewer shows to attend most places.

Hmm - SF has a huge array of places to choose from and perhaps its better?? although that is entirely subjective. More British bands thats for sure.
 
 NYC is in a separate category with way too many choices. It was part of the reason I moved as well.    
 
 Most cities have as many shows as DC, aside perhaps the Southern cities (not sure about Atlanta). But I still go to DC shows and I have a great time regardless if the crowd sucks.

[set1914]

The old Washington Coliseum/ Uline arena is now being used as an indoor parking lot. In order to protect it from efforts to raze the building, it was added to the official protection list of the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board in November 2006. The site is being looked at as a centerpiece for various redevelopment projects for that area of town.

[sonickteam2]

Originally posted by Bags:
  I'm so sick of the goddamned "dc crowds suck" crap.  Move.  Amazingly, you'll find little better elsewhere, and far fewer shows to attend most places.

do you really think that someone would move to a different city based solely on the lack of energy crowds have at concerts?
   
 
 and while baltimore has far fewer shows and good venues, i will hold firm that the audiences are much more lively and active than DC.
 
 i know the smoke is a pain and you do have to move on occasion to avoid talkers....
 
 toronto crowds generally suck as well, too. though, of all places, i believe DC to have the least active crowds of all....but i am sure it really depends on which shows you go to!

[xneverwherex]

Originally posted by le sonick:
   

Originally posted by Bags:
  I'm so sick of the goddamned "dc crowds suck" crap.  Move.  Amazingly, you'll find little better elsewhere, and far fewer shows to attend most places.

do you really think that someone would move to a different city based solely on the lack of energy crowds have at concerts?
   
 
 and while baltimore has far fewer shows and good venues, i will hold firm that the audiences are much more lively and active than DC.
 
 i know the smoke is a pain and you do have to move on occasion to avoid talkers....
 
 toronto crowds generally suck as well, too. though, of all places, i believe DC to have the least active crowds of all....but i am sure it really depends on which shows you go to! [/b]

oh i dont wanna hear that toronto crowds suck. im seeing maximo park up there. yeah, im seeing them in nyc too, but couldnt resist a weekend trip to TO. its the park. if people dont dance their asses off and have a great time at that show, well, id just be surprised. regardless ill be having a kick-ass time!