October 27, 2006
Venues They Are A Changin'
During CMJ, everything becomes a venue - from a living room to an abandoned storefront. During the rest of the year, Todd P keeps that sort of thing going on. And in the more "legit" world of venues, new ones are popping up everywhere.
Maybe some clubs can't make it in the city, but others are thriving. The New York Times reports that in the next few months as many as five new spaces will be coming our way, "giving the city’s rock infrastructure its most substantial expansion in years."
One of the bigger empires is the Mercury-Bowery group, or as they are now called: The Bowery Presents. Booking three of the better venues, "bands can be sent up the chain, from the 250-capacity Mercury to the 575-person Bowery to Webster Hall, at 1,400." If you ask any band starting out where they want to play, they will almost always tell you Bowery Ballroom, and they all know Mercury Lounge comes first.
Make that four venues. The Bowery Presents just acquired Northsix and will be renovating it and renaming it The Music Hall of Williamsburg.
The Times also reports that Live Nation will have a hand at booking the new Luna Lounge. The venue that closed its doors last year on Ludlow Street will be reopening this year in Williamsburg, in a 350 capacity space. Live Nation booking Luna Lounge just seems wrong, doesn't it?
|
"The Music Hall of Williamsburg" what a terrible name! but, thank goodness this is not being taken over by live nation as some people had speculated.
In order for a club to last in the city, the owners would have to own the building as well. These days, that really isn't an option anymore, so new clubs have to put up with ridiculous rent that only keeps climbing, and that's what usually puts them out.
That is to say, if the club seems successful.
here's my question: about a year or so ago there was a string of "save tonic" fundraisers and stuff, but there was no official "we raised enough money!" press release, but the venue is open and seems to be doing well.
did tonic scam people?
Apparently, they did. and i thought CBGB was copycating them, so i never bit. Apparently they were not.
Still got to see Pamelia Thurstin rock her Ethervox Theremin downstairs, whilst lamenting the fictitious loss of tonic...was worth it.
Tonic didn't scam people... but they did get enough cash to fix the building.
so is dancing going to be allowed in these new venues?
dancing is allowed at Northsix now.
The theme of the article is that music venues are thriving. but, doesn't this technically mean that Northsix is going out of business?
exactly. "thriving"? the only examples this article cited are like hostile takeovers of already existing spaces. a conglomerate like Bowery Presents, or whatever they are, taking over and consolidating all venues under their banner.. yeah, you got "chain" right. you better be a good band well behaved, and not offend whoever books at these venues.. what a stupid name "the music of williamsburg"