Here's what I want to know: what is the best venue to see a concert? I mean the best. No matter what genre, where would you want to see it? For my money, it gets no better than Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. It's a naturally occuring amphitheater and everything just sounds better there.

I don't know if anybody can positively beat Red Rocks. Some of the Greek Theatres and Amphitheatres I've been to have been really good, but I find that I divorce myself from the acoustics to just get into the subjective experience. If I'm five feet away from the band playing on a three-foot high stage, and they and I seem to be in a trance, does the actual sound quality matter? Perhaps, but I probably wouldn't realize it.

I've seen outdoor shows in Egypt and Jordan and the acoustics in a desert setting can be impressive. Also, there is an amphitheater outside of Nashville with a slanted lawn that extends beyond the seats. I can't remember the name but the sound and atmosphere were top notch.

I didn't mean to suggest that just because I think everything sounds better, it's my favorite place. Sure the sound is great, but the setting in the foohills of the Rockies is super too. That said, the sound is something special there. I have seen everyone from the CSO to Pantera to Burning Spear to Stryper (it was a phase), and it was all magical. I think the sound helps me get into that trance. I think the symphony actually sounded better there than in the concert hall. And it's not even something I necessarily notice while the concert is going on. Most times it's not till I reflect on the experience that I think about how good it sounded.

quote:

Originally posted by PRG:
I didn't mean to suggest that just because I think everything sounds better, it's my favorite place. Sure the sound is great, but the setting in the foohills of the Rockies is super too. That said, the sound is something special there. I have seen everyone from the CSO to Pantera to Burning Spear to Stryper (it was a phase), and it was all magical. I think the sound helps me get into that trance. I think the symphony actually sounded better there than in the concert hall. And it's not even something I necessarily notice while the concert is going on. Most times it's not till I reflect on the experience that I think about how good it sounded.

Umm....Stryper?

I told you it was a phase. I was like 8 years old. I wasn't into the Jesus aspect of it, I think I liked the costumes! That said, they sounded good.

I saw The Village People headline Riverfest '96 in Columbus, Georgia. That said, they stunk up the place. (I think I hated the costumes)

Yeah, you would!

I'll be the Sailor if you'll be the Indian!

"Let me see...no thanks!"

The I-Beam in San Francisco near Haight & Ashbury had two of the best concerts I've ever been to (in the mid 1980s), within a week, and both for $7 or less: the original Leaving Trains lineup and the Hoodoo Gurus first U.S. tour. It was during my biggest "trance" phase.

Edited to include name, thanks to gomad.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

quote:

Originally posted by PRG:
I told you it was a phase. I was like 8 years old. I wasn't into the Jesus aspect of it, I think I liked the costumes! That said, they sounded good.

Sorry about the Stryper crack. I may have been a touch envious, as I have never been to Red Rocks, for even so much as a Laura Branigan concert. Cheap shot on my part. I'll will try make it up to you by admitting freely, and with only a mild twinge of shame, that I still find myself listening to the collected works of Ronnie James Dio from time-to-time. I admire his singing and am amused [and occasionally terrified] by his elfin/trollish appearance. You may now crack wise at will.

I bet red rocks is better, but White River ampitheater in Auburn, WA, is pretty sweet. It's outside, but there's a huge cover to protect from rain and sun, which also helps the acoustics.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
"Let me see...no thanks!"

This nameless dive bar in San Francisco at Haight & Ashbury had two of the best concerts I've ever been to (in the mid 1980s), within a week, and both for $7 or less: the original Leaving Trains lineup and the Hoodoo Gurus first U.S. tour. It was during my biggest trance phase.

Mark, which bar was that? I was living there (Clayton & Grove) at that time and used to drink at The Gold Cane on Haight in between Clayton and Ashbury - the only band shows I remember were a few blocks further towards the park at the I-Beam and Nightbreak.

The I-Beam. Thanks for reminding me of the name.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
The I-Beam. Thanks for reminding me of the name.

I saw some good shows there too - The Fall and Terence Trent-D'Arby both spring to mind. It closed a long time ago, I think it became a blood clinic or something - sad.

the gorge in washington state is great.
also mud island on the mississippi in memphis is supposed to be great, havent been yet.
i love the LA greek theater, better in my opinion than berkley. most lovely tiled bathrooms. red rocks is great but if you are too far away from the stage the wind can carry the sound away. wonderful creation of the depression era wpa.

growing up just outside NYC, my 2 favorite places to see a concert (and i have seen many at both places) are the Roseland Ballroom and the Hammerstein......

If you like your music loud, I heartily recommend going to Lee's Palace in Toronto. It's ugly inside, with all black walls, nothing too great about the standing room....but LOUD. So loud I wish I could have used a bigger font explaining it.

Best show I saw there was Broadcast. Then Animal Collective...although that was pre-feels and it was a little bit quieter.

well, i'm from new york and haven't been to to many shows outside of NY (no reason to go anywhere else) and if i had to rank my top ten favorite new york venues i think i would go......

1) Warsaw in Brooklyn
Not too many big acts here, but I saw the Secret Machines here and Serena Maneesh and loved them both. It's a venue where everyone is at the bar during the opening bands just chilling out, drinking and gettin to know each other... and then when the main act comes out people head into the pretty small room and can walk right up to the stage

2) Mccaren Park Pool - Has some great acts and is a very fun fun venue

3) Irving Plaza - Also has great acts... but the best part is that its easy to get a great spot if you get there an hour before the show.

4) Prospect Park Bandshell - Holds lots of people and the enviornment is very nice. Seated for relaxation during openers. Tough to get a good spot though

5) Central Park Summerstage - Has great acts, more mainstream... but a good place to see music

6) Theater in Madison Square Garden - Saw Radiohead here... need i say more? Actually the venue is kinda wide...

7) Hammerstein Ballroom - Saw the Flaming Lips here, need i Say more?

8) South Street Seaport - Lots of free shows, with the occasional good band... but mainly see bands that you don't know

9) Roseland Ballroom - Seen plenty of great shows, hard to get in the middle... but if you walk down the side wall you can get pretty close

10) Bowery Ballroom

Im in the process of developing a comprehensive list of the top 100 live music venues in the world, and love the feedback on what people think.

I agree Red Rocks is one of the best spots in the world. But after that, what else?

Some of the characteristics we value at go.hear.live include the following:

• Intimate Setting – does the concert venue allow you to connect with the band on stage.

• Fun Zone – surrounding the venue, there needs to be a place for you to get revved up before the show, or chill-out after. In some venues this means a peaceful field to have a tailgate party, in others it is a heaving bar scene surrounding the concert site.

• The show experience – this is really how well connected the concert promoter and venue management is with the band and audience interests. Are the security guards uptight? Do they force you to sit down when all you and the crowd wants to do is dance? On the other hand do they allow a few fans to wreck the experience for others?

• Sound and lights – does the venue have great acoustics and staging?

• The People – each city and venue attracts different types of fans. This adds a lot to the charm of the venue.

• History – is this a venue that was build 5 years ago to host basketball games, or was this the venue where U2 played their first North American gig. Did the Beatles play here? How about Nirvana while they were still in obscurity? This tradition adds to the mystic and vibe of the venue.


So based on that, here are a few of our picks:

-Red Rocks
-Beacon Theatre, NYC
-Hollywood Bowl, LA
-Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam
-Lucerna Music Bar, Prague
-Ambassador Theatre, Dublin
-Massey Hall, Toronto
-The Great Pyramids, Egypt
-Budokan Hall, Tokyo
-Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga NY
-Christiania, Copenhagen
-Seaside Park, Bridgeport, CT
-The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas
-Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
-The Cavern Club, Liverpool
-Camden Underworld, Camden, London, UK

There are so many more. We are working on developing a guide for people who love to tour and checkout live music in interesting places. When you get a chance, check out our website & tell us about your favorite venue.