YES! I am 50/50 on Elsewhere. I love the main room, but they put shows in the hall that should be in WAYYYYY bigger venues. I saw HEALTH and Yelle there and both shows were crammed like you wouldn't believe. But yeah, the main room is amazing. Love their bathroom rules too. lol
Truth, they definitely might be suffering from booking too many shows tbh. The amount of different genres they capture is unreal
Adding to this...the amphitheatre (Hollywood Casino Amp) is owned by Live Nation and has a huge capacity (almost 28,000). Northerly Island is owned by Live Nation also, but has less than 10,000 capacity, which is too small for some of the major touring acts in a city like Chicago. United Center has two major sports teams that play there, along with other events to battle with scheduling throughout the year, where the amphitheatre is strictly used for concerts. Since Live Nation has a handle in most of the major touring acts, they're going to opt for shows at their venue before trying to squeeze in at United Center, or even Allstate. Not to mention, if a tour is playing mostly amphitheatres in other cities, they're less likely to play an arena in other cities if a shed is an option. Touring managers aren't really concerned with ease of access to a venue. Most sheds are located outside the city limits and are a little harder to get in/out of.
Even though Northerly Island can be a pain in the ass to get out of sometimes, at least when you leave you’re in the city and not in the suburbs 30+ minutes from downtown. It makes the whole waiting to leave less annoying.
I live 10/15 min from Tinley and getting out of there sucks. I never drive to the city for concerts unless it’s a 17+ show or 18+ Or a show that would take longer taking the train but with that being said taking the train is much easier. walking to hob or the riv or the Aragon or metro is so easy and it’s cheaper then having to pay for gas and parking
Does anyone have intel on REBEL in Toronto? Never been but I've heard some bad things. Heading there in April to see Foals.
it's a very out of the way place compared to the other venues in TO. Probably my least favourite place to go to with its whole setup and the floor space and just how packed it can get.
Yay What's the parking situation like? I'll likely be staying in Thornhill so going TTC is a massive pain in the ass.
forget the exact cost but there's a parking lot right across, or a huge stretch of street to park down, but it does fill up pretty quickly and can take forever to get out of if you aren't leaving early
Hot take: I like Northerly Island. I take the train in instead of driving and always enjoy the walk there.* *: weather permitting
I only went to Tinley Park once on a weekday (it was a Friday). Took me 2.5 hours to get there from Morton Grove, where i work. Never again. Weekends are a bit better, though. Also, tickets there are mad expensive. Around $125 for pit tickets for shows that aren't even that big.
Digging deep for that post! This might take me a while, any venues in particular you wanted to know about?
oh im from here, just curious what you had to say, i think this is a fascinating thread. if you don't a montreal venue deep dive i'll do it haha
Webster Hall is back! I'm excited for the sweet upgrades. Apparently, the Studio is still being used as a venue.
I grew up in the suburbs and went to a bunch of shows at the New World Music Theater/Tweeter Center or whatever it's called now. It was your standard amphitheater, so I'm not sure why some think it's the worst venue in the area? It was certainly easier for someone living in the suburbs to get to than going into the city for a show.
Not going to dive in too deep, but... Note: I'm only listing venues I've been to. Favourite Montreal venues MTELUS (Metropolis) Club Soda La Tulipe Le National Corona Fairmount Bar Le Ritz (Il Motore) L'Astral Place Des Arts Theatre St. Denis Turbo Haus (Notre Dame, RIP) It'll have to do Parc Jean-Drapeau Foufounes Electriques Sala Rossa Olympia Place Bell Cafe Campus Divan Orange (RIP) La Vitrola Le Belmont Piranha Bar Least favourite Bell Center CEPSUM Underworld (RIP) Petit Campus Stade Uniprix
I've always had a good time there. Standouts would be Touche Amore (w/Tiny Moving Parts & Culture Abuse) and Camp Cope & An Horse. Heading back soon for the TMP headliner! Noted that you're the booker, I've been wanting to play there
Since no has done Milwaukee and I'm bored I'll give it a go: Milwaukee: The Rave/Eagles Ballroom: The venue that gets most of the non arena touring acts. A lot of people hate it because of its iffy to absolute terrible sound but I haven't had too terrible of an experience with it. The venue essentially has 5 venues within one ranging from 100-2500 cap. Drinks are expensive as hell water is 5 dollars and comes in like a god damn dixie cup. Overall, its the venue I've been to the most shows at and while its not my favorite they get most of the acts I'll see and normally have a good time. Turner Hall Ballroom: Haven't been to too many shows here but its a nice venue with a GA floor and a semi reserved second deck. Sound is pretty good and normally isn't as crowded and packed as The Rave. Cap of about 1000 makes for some decent intimate shows and have gotten some pretty good acts. Best show I've seen here is Taking Back Sunday. Collectivo Backroom: Most intimate venue I've been to in Milwaukee, I think its a cap of 250-500 but not totally sure. Great atmosphere and vibe. Best sound at a venue I've been to in Milwaukee about as clear as can in a live setting, and the drinks and food are reasonably priced and overall have only had great experiences at this venue.