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General Category => Everything Else => Topic started by: Master Ray on October 09, 2012, 10:02:28 PM
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I'm sure that this question has been brought up before but theres an awful lot of topics on this forum and i can't find any record of it, so here I go...
Where's your favourite place to see a band?
Let's rule out the usual O2 academy venues... some are great, some not so, we've all had some great times there but lets go for other places.
I'll kick in with the obvious one... Nottingham Rock City. Still the finest gig venue I've ever been to, and I've been to a lot. I'm thrilled that NMA are doing their one Christmas show there.
I also love the Camden Roundhouse. NMA really need to play there! And it really should be re-named the Camden Thunderdome (fans of 80's action movies will get that reference...)
The Tivoli in Buckley... it was closed for a long time but now seems to be reopened? A really good venue in an obscure town.
The Box, Crewe... saw Ash there a few months back, a decent small venue with good sound that could play to better bands than the cavalcade of tribute acts that seem to be their bread and butter nowadays.
I'd love to hear your additions to this post, I'm getting a bit bored of going to the usual places and if a band I like are playing somewhere different, then I'm all over it.
One last thing... does anyone miss Liverpool Royal Court? Probably my second favourite venue of all time, wish they still did gigs!
Thanks for reading.
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Used to love Tivoli in Buckley.NMA,LOUD,MOTORHEAD,to name a few.
Was in Bridport a few weeks ago and got all nostalgic when walking past Electric Palace(great gig last year)had to go for a pint in the Ropemakers to complete the memory :)
Used to love that sloping floor at the Royal court,but best gig in Liverpool had to be Bradys(nee Erics)when the Stranglers played there many many moons ago.
Powerhouse in Brum and Wolverhampton civic also great venues
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The Riverside - Newcastle
my favourite in the whole country, especially when a couple of pints were to be had in the pub around the corner, anyone remember what the pub was called?
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The Picturedome, Holmfirth.
Cheers
jc
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Now this a hard one ,so many good venues have close down.
The wheatsheaf in stoke i use to work there great place Joolz did i gig there in 1990s
The riverside -Newcastle and i think the pub near bye was Boken Doll?
The civic hall -wolverhampton --many happy gigs Nma ,levellers,Neds ,and lots more.
Hummingbird--Brum wonderstuff,Gay bikers,pop eat shelf,Jesus jones,
Derby wharehouse--Nma good small and some mad gig .
london -roundhouse ,100 club ,Underwould ?.and place near finsbury park pub?
Sheltland -- tiny little place were i want to see NMA 92 :)
and many more take it easy 8)
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Well on this side of the pond and in NY. The best place to see a concert for the accoustics and sight lines is Radio City Music Hall . Now NMA has not played there yet. It is very expensive to rent it out since this is in the Heart of Manhattan.Plus this place seats 4,000 plus and as much as I love NMA and I wished everybody did also they cannot draw 4,000 plus for attendance at least here in the States.
The best place I have seen NMA was at Southpaws in Brooklyn a good venue good sight lines and the crowd is good Pure Rockers that were there when I saw NMA 2 times at Southpaws. 8)
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A lot of love for Wolves Civic! Thats a terrific venue, only been there twice, once for The Manics, once for Motorhead, but I'd deffo go back there again. :)
Thanks for your answers, please keep them coming!
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Rock City
Aston Villa Leisure Centre (for great memories of NMA 1990 and PIL around that time)
Wolves Civic Hall
Bradord Queen's Hall (2 successive NMA nights in 1991 - a beautiful venue)
The Leadmill in Sheffield
Bilston - loved it there back in June (a real Tardis!)
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Queens Hall without a doubt. Windsor Baths aswell.
Picture Dome in Holmfirth was great aswell......
Rock City's 30th gigs are 2 of the best gigs I've EVER been to period........
Bridport was another brilliant venue!
Chippenham Goldiggers in 91 I think it was? Great venue.....
Town n Country as was really did have some great gigs there aswell!
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My favourite is La Maroquinerie in Paris. Great venue, creating a great atmosphere, however is was bloody cold there in the winter of 2009.
Saw HMHB in The Komedia Bath last month, this again is a quirky venue - try it out!
JME
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The Picturedome, Holmfirth.
That is one of mine as is Rock City. The Brixton Electric I've only been to once (to see some old band from the 80's) but first impressions made it a worthy successor to the Astoria and far better than when it was the Fridge. The Southampton Brooke is a nice friendly place with a good sound system. For big bands it has to be Brixton Academy.
But the atmosphere of all these these great places of performance combined, do not compare to the immeasurable god-like glory of the Stockwell Grosvenor. Amen.
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As Stoney has already mentioned some of my faves
Rock City,Queens Hall,Windsor Baths,Kentish Town & Country,Retford Porterhouse,Sheffield Leadmill and Octagon,Par Pavilion was a good night and venue,Brixton Academy(Janes Addiction and FOTN)
Loads more but so hard to pick a fave
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Thanks for your new answers. A couple of questions...
Is Kentish Town And Country the same as London Forum? If so, terrific venue.
The Queens Hall in Bradford... is that the place I saw NMA about four or five years ago when they put on a dodgy caberet band as the support act? If it helps, it was in a room in the basement well away from the main hall?
And, can I say, I've never got the love for Brixton Academy. The one time I went there (for The Gaslight Anthem) was when I met the rudest gig staff I have ever encountered. Honestly, they were horrible. And the sound was rubbish! My best mate went to a gig a year earlier, up in the balconies, and met with the same reaction.
Anyway, thanks for your answers, I'm noting them down, maybe see you in some of these places one day!?!
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Sheffield Leadmill and Octagon,
i'd go along with most suggestions on here - but really quite surprised at the Octagon. I've seen a lot of gigs there over the years and alway found it a bit of a barn. I've been to loads of mediocre gigs there (including Nirvana, Primal Scream & the Pixies) as its such a difficult venue to make work - a few exceptions to this include the first few times the Levellers played there ( and their biggest gigs at that point) - which were some of best gigs i've been to - but usually its dullness is only surpassed by Manchester Academy.
The Leadmill on the other hand is a great venue with a bit of character - i've seen countless great gigs there
Anyway.. venues i've liked - in no particular order..
Bigger.. Brixton Academy, Wolverhampton Civic, Old Town & Country, Leicester De Montford
Mid size.. Rock City, Leadmill, Dingwalls, old marquee, Hummingbird
Smaller.. Duchess Leeds, Princess Charlotte Leicester, Hull Adelphi , manchester band on the wall, sheffield boardwalk
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Johnny M - good call about the Princess Charlotte in Leicester - saw some great gigs there and loved the posters on the walls....classic venue.
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Ya Johnny m - forgot about Princess Charlotte did many a good gigs there in 1990s And Some orther Venues Glassgow king tut tuts, Manchster, Intrenational 1+2 ,Northhampton Roadmenders, all good small size venues. And saw some good new bands who were just breaking thou Starting out.
Happy Days :)
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The "Markthalle" in Hamburg which is also one of JS' favorite venues, as far as I remember ;)
I also like the "Knust" and the "Grünspan" in Hamburg, the MAU in Rostock, the Loreley, the "Traumfabrik" in Kiel...
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Ya Johnny m - forgot about Princess Charlotte did many a good gigs there in 1990s And Some orther Venues Glassgow king tut tuts, Manchster, Intrenational 1+2 ,Northhampton Roadmenders, all good small size venues. And saw some good new bands who were just breaking thou Starting out.
Happy Days :)
I'd forgotten about the International 1 & 2 - saw loads of gigs there and the International2 was the last place I ever stage dived (Janes Addiction gig)
;)
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Oh yeah I forgot to mention the Glasgow Barrowlands. The St Patricks night SLF gig used to be an annual pilgrimage. Great venue!
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Thanks for your new answers. A couple of questions...
Is Kentish Town And Country the same as London Forum? If so, terrific venue.
The Queens Hall in Bradford... is that the place I saw NMA about four or five years ago when they put on a dodgy caberet band as the support act? If it helps, it was in a room in the basement well away from the main hall?
And, can I say, I've never got the love for Brixton Academy. The one time I went there (for The Gaslight Anthem) was when I met the rudest gig staff I have ever encountered. Honestly, they were horrible. And the sound was rubbish! My best mate went to a gig a year earlier, up in the balconies, and met with the same reaction.
Anyway, thanks for your answers, I'm noting them down, maybe see you in some of these places one day!?!
Not sure but I think the Forum is the old TOWN AND COUNTRY CLUB. From what I recall being told, at least.... Not been since the name changed.....
Queens Hall was on Morley Street and hasn't been a venue in over 10 years.... =( Not sure where the "caberet act" place would've been. Unless it was the the gig at Pennington's you mean? It's a while ago that one. I didn't go so no idea who was the support. The gig in June was NMA's first hometown gig in a long long while as far as I know...... Last one I went to before this year was Windsor Baths in 94 or 95? Something like that.......
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Stoney is right - the Town & Country Club is now the Forum.
If I recall - think I saw the Red Sky Coven in the Queens Hall Cellar bar - but not sure NMA ever played there - well not recently anyway - but I suppose Rev Hammer is a dodgy cabaret act ..
;)
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Cheers Stoney and JohnnyM... I've dug out my old tickets and it was Blackburn, not Bradford, King Georges Hall. :-\
I think the Altzheimers might be kicking in.
It was quite funny, actually... I suspect NMA hadn't had time to arrange a proper support band for what was only a 2-date tour (the other one was Holmfirth Picturedome) and the venue threw a pub-rock covers band onstage... they looked a bit terrified, poor buggers...
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NMA played Queens Hall a few times. Two night stand on the 2 Dogs tour and again for a charity do in aid Ross McClean. Local lad who wbroke his back in a fall from his steel errecting job. Loud (featured Stuart Morrow n Chris MacLuaghlin at that point) also played. Great gig that. Queens Hall was one of Justin' favourite venues as I recall....... ;)
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The Duchess of York, Leeds. Sadly no more boo!!!!
Zen
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NMA played Queens Hall a few times. Two night stand on the 2 Dogs tour and again for a charity do in aid Ross McClean. Local lad who wbroke his back in a fall from his steel errecting job. Loud (featured Stuart Morrow n Chris MacLuaghlin at that point) also played. Great gig that. Queens Hall was one of Justin' favourite venues as I recall....... ;)
I was at at least one of those - but I meant I dont think they band ever played the cellar bar.
That Blackburn gig was a weird one - there was only a few hundred at the gig - even though it was a fri night - and when Justin asked who was form Blackburn - im not sure anyone shouted up - they could have had the gig anywhere in the Uk with pretty much the same crowd!
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Pretty sure that's the one, JohnnyM, it wasn't terribly well attended. I seem to recall getting right up to the barrier withut much of a moshpit around me.
OK, if you're clarifying things from my rapidly failing memory, I recall a gig in a REALLY tiny place in, I think, Preston about five or six years ago? I think the original venue closed down unexpectedly and it got moved to a brand new venue at the last minute that was much smaller, resulting in an absolutely rammed venue that was like a furnace! Honestly, I was wearing a t-shirt and a denim jacket and the jacket was soaked with sweat by the end of it! One of the best NMA gigs I've ever been to.
One last thing... did anyone see Justin playing solo at the Crewe Limelight? That's another one of my favourite venues (sadly, closed down a few years back), not least because its only about 200 yards from my flat, but mainly because I practically lived there for a good few years! It was kind of a tribute-act kind of place, but they had a lot of interesting artists playing over the years and it was a really cool, chilled out place to go for a drink and see a band. Justin played there with 'Navigating By The Stars' and, I swear only about 30 people showed up for a venue of about 500! Made the place in Blackburn look like Woodstock!
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In Preston, the Mill(?) closed down and the gig was moved to the Venue near the bus station. It was small, crammed and very sweaty. Good fun though.
I was at the Crewe Limelight gig, the only time I got there so I wasn't sure what the normal crowd size would be, but the Justin gig seemed low on numbers.
As for venues, I always enjoyed both the Lemon Grove and the Great Hall at Exeter Uni, mainly due to my first few gigs being there and rose tinted spectacles as it was so long ago.
The Brudenell in Leeds is my current favourite.
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well, the first time i saw them live was at a place in Danbury CT USA called Tuxedo Junction. it was maybe twice the size of my kitchen.I think it was the "Lust For Power" mini-tour, summer 91. I was there with about 8 friends, and there were a few local drunks at the bar. we had painted the T&C knot and the words "Before i Get Old" on a bed sheet and held it up, Justin replied "iz much too late for that one....."- not sure what he meant! but it didn't get played......still we were at the height of rocking out, as was the band. a small group of us had been die hard fans, but at the time, with no internet, information was scarce if available at all, and you can imagine our excitement and anticipation upoun seeing a tiny ad in the local music/arts rag "New Model Army"!
I must digress from there though, and categorically state that there was NO PLACE ANYWHERE LIKE "THE ROCK & ROLL CHURCH"- THE LIMELITE, NYC! the gothic architecture, the awesome NYC vibe, the weird 100 year old bathroom attendant dressed in in a WW1 doughboy uniform with a tray of mints, who would curse you up and down if you didn't tip him, and no end to the freakiness that could be found (chemical, sexual, criminal, quasi-religious, what have you) in the dark corners and catacombs of that place!
(too bad it's a mall inside now)
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I've always enjoyed gigs at Manchester Academy 3,very intimate and great sound,although theses days the bar prices are a bit shocking.
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I've always enjoyed gigs at Manchester Academy 3,very intimate and great sound,although theses days the bar prices are a bit shocking.
Never done Academy 3, but have you tried Club Academy? REALLY small, saw The Men They Couldn't Hang there last year.
If we're on the subject of the manchester Academy venues.... Academy 2 is so much better than Academy 1... mainly because they have a huge smoking area whereas at Academy 1, you are forced into a little pig-pen about the size of the average bathroom!
Whatever, I just thought of another venue I really like... Brighton Condorde 2. Saw Lacuna Coil there last year, first time I'd ever been there and a really good venue... but God help you if you're trying to find it for the first time... ;D
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Rock City from when I used to live in Nottingham, and little punk gigs at places like Vale Social club in Colwick just outside the city, and Queens Walk Community Centre....plus fond memories travelling up and down the M1 on the National Express - Sheffield Leadmill and George IV, and the Princess Charlotte in Leicester.... in Leeds if you came out the station, walked a few yards to the square and then turned right there was small venue on the left side of the road, down some stairs in a basement (no more than 10mins walk from station) - I think it was Adam and Eves but it might have been the Duchess of York, I can't remember...?
But most of all used to love going down to London to Hammersmith Clarendon a bit later on - always way too hot, queues outside and at the bar but I dunno, somehow I always had a great night there... happy days! :)
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That was Adam And Eve's mate. Duchess Of York was 500 yards further on near the market. Both great venues tho!
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JB's Dudley - both the old & new we good places.
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The Paradise club in Boston has always been a favorite of mine. Mid sized club where everyone who's anyone has played over the years. Siouxsie and the Banshees played there on their first US tour, U2 on their first US tour,etc. I was just there last weekend for the Reverend Horton Heat and X.
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Rock City-Great layout, and superb view from the balcony. but beware of the legendary sticky floor !!
Aston Villa Leisure Centre. PIL in 1992
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Aston Villa Leisure Centre. PIL in 1992
Remember the PIL gig well - it was a hell of a relief to get there as I recall ;D ;D
Also saw NMA there on the Impurity Tour in late 1990....I remember Liam in his red cloggs!
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Are you taking the p--s ;D -- I knew I shouldn"t have had that last pint before we got on the buss..
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OK, TWO years since anyone posted on this one... anyone got anything new to add?
Nottingham Rock City is STILL my fave venue... ;)
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Got to admit that Nottingham rock city was excellent
Gotta give a mention to the legendary Glasgow barrowlands with its bouncing floor or even the more legendary Glasgow Apollo where i seen my first band (slf) its been long since knocked down and is now sadly a cineworld Its features in the clash rude boy film
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Interesting thread. Just made me realise that its mainly the same venues ive seen bands in. Wolves civic, Hummingbird, Rock City, various named arenas in the Midlands. Also saw NMA in Stratford which was a nice area and unusual. Personally I loved the Waterfront at Norwich. Small intimate and grimey.
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Brighton Concorde 2 is a favourite - pokey and cramped but good. Did like Devizes too - Corn Exchange ?
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Great to see a VERY old thread get some new responses!
Anyone else? ???
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Glasgow garage and abc are both good venues as well the cathouse is a bit on the small side
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Have to add Tunbridge Wells Forum - a converted public toilet believe it or not ??? - shame I was all full of flu at the time NMA played there. Made up for it when I saw a band (now sadly defunct) called Dogs there - if you're curious who they are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ41Xvw9iCg
;)
(BTW - Paul Weller was a fan and played with them at one of their gigs)
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Forman's Punk Rock bar Nottingham. Plenty of room for 45 souls
http://louderthanwar.com/how-to-survive-as-a-small-venue-foremans-punk-bar-in-nottingham-shows-the-way/
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Ancienne Belgique!
http://www.abconcerts.be/en/
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Allways enjoyed gigs at Manchester Academy 3,the little one upstairs,although the beer is expensive,The Witchwood in Ashton under Lyne was a great place with great beer aswell,as was Sheffield Leadmill,the first time I went there they had about 15 real ales on handpump,not many venues like that.
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,the first time I went there they had about 15 real ales on handpump,not many venues like that.
Not many pubs like that now either.
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Allways enjoyed gigs at Manchester Academy 3,the little one upstairs,although the beer is expensive,The Witchwood in Ashton under Lyne was a great place with great beer aswell,as was Sheffield Leadmill,the first time I went there they had about 15 real ales on handpump,not many venues like that.
Jez, is the Witchwood still going? In the 90's, I worked for a chain called Andy's Records as a sort of travelling assistant manager and I lived just around the corner in a guesthouse for a couple of months... cracking good place! Not been back there in about 15 years...
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BUMP
Anyone got anything to add about venues you love?
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Bradford Queens Hall, Holmfirth Picturedrome, Hebden Bridge Trades Club
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A large field with hills in the background. Chagstock this weekend would be that.
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Brighton Dome
Folkstone Lees Cliff Hall
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Folkstone Lees Cliff Hall
Totally agree (unless Operation Stack is on..........) I'd forgotten that place, be a nice little stop on the way to the European leg of the next tour ...................... ;)
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Digbeth Institute in Brum:
(http://dsi2pics.s3.amazonaws.com/ah5hbttwt5rmqzwt/the_institute_1_banner.jpg)
Saw Down here a couple of years ago and it was just like rock gigs were 20 years ago: heaving, sweathy, packed to the rafters and so effing loud.... Good times.
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That looks like my kind of place!
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That looks like my kind of place!
I think it's an old music hall theatre; whatever it was, it's a great rock venue.
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Folkstone Lees Cliff Hall
Totally agree (unless Operation Stack is on..........) I'd forgotten that place, be a nice little stop on the way to the European leg of the next tour ...................... ;)
Exactly!
:)
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BUMP...
Gotta say the Manchester Ritz is on a par with Notts Rockers for me... superb venue with a great balcony area and inexpensive drinks!
Gotta say, I also like Chester Live Rooms after the NMA gig last month...
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The Paradiso in Amsterdam & The Fillmore in San Fransisco for me. Been to so many top class venues e.g as someone mentioned earlier AB in Brussels. Thing is it has all the facilities that my original choice venues has, except history. Some venues you can just feel the magic.
Sound wise Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam also was like listening to vinyl on the best headphones on the best home stereo system available to mankind. Every nuance from each member of the band I saw that night was crystal clear so special mention.
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So, I was at Manchester Albert Hall last night for the first time... sorry, Nottingham Rock City, you've been my favourite gig venue for over 20 years, but I think I might be about to cheat on you...
Fantastic venue, so atmospheric. As the link I'm gonna post to you all will say, it's a Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel in Manchester City Centre, closed and hidden for over 40 years. Probably about the same capacity as Manchester Ritz. Not too far from Manchester City Centre, easy walking distance. Good sound. Quite a small downstairs area but a massive and steeply-tiered balcony area so I don't think there's a bad view in the house. Hugely ornate with big church-like windows. OK, downside... drinks are a bit pricey and you have to climb stairs to get to even reach the downstairs, so it's also a huge crush to get out of the place... worth it.
A message here to the NMA inner-circle... please play this venue next time you do Manchester! And, no, I don't work for them or anything, just had a fantastic night there last night! ;D I think band and fans alike will love it.
Check this place out if there's a band you like who are playing there. Here's the link I mentioned...
http://www.alberthallmanchester.com/information.php