New Fillmore in Silver Spring; New Birchmere in College

… Well that stood in stark contrast to the overwhelming 9:30, small local venue allegiance.

Anyhow, when and if–I guess "if" isn't really applicable anymore–these both open, it will be interesting to see how they compete. LiveNation is a big name, but I hope the artists who have played 9:30 in the past will recognize its history and reputation and choose to play there… although that whole idea may be rather optimistic.

Originally posted by bull930:
more bands coming to DC!!!!!

same bands coming

higher tickets after bidding wars

I thought the birchmere was geared towards an older crowd (the artists, prices, seating) so the College Park location surprises me. If College Park students would pay $100 to see Michael Bolton I'm glad I didn't go there for grad school.

Originally posted by anarchist:
there were two fillmores. the original location is the current one at geary + fillmore in sf. moved in '68 to market and south van ness. the other opened in nyc in '68. pretty lame that cc/LN is renaming all their venues fillmores. boycott cc,LN,nisson etc. as far as the birch, originally they were only bluegrass and country. now they are all over the place. they charge big bucks and get the suburban soccer mom/family crowd. it will be intesting to see who shows up to see rollins. the college park birch would also complete with 930 and fm for some acts. if anything, prices might go up if everyone is competing. then again if you look at nyc and all the venues they have, alot of the big ones like the fm/irving + webster are dark alot.

actually webster hall isn't dark all that often. irving plaza is a different story. webster hall also has a bunch of other dance nights at the club, so from a business perspective (and theyre part of the bowery clan) it seems theyre doing well. overall - it seems that the bowery presents locations almost always have bands at their venues. the difference is the super huge locations - but most of them have other things at their arenas/auditoriums.

but really - its comparing apples & oranges. NYC has the people to come out and go to the clubs (large & small) and has an abundance of bands (local and not) that come into town.

i cant imagine that opening a HoB or Fillmore in SS is a good thing. Bands rave about the 9:30 club that I have met and say its one of their favorite places to play. I sure hope it continues.

Originally posted by kmb187:
I hope the artists who have played 9:30 in the past will recognize its history and reputation and choose to play there… although that whole idea may be rather optimistic.

The artists' preference may not matter much if LN tells them that if they don't play the Fillmore in DC, then they don't play other LN venues in cities A, B, C and D (where there is no great LN alternative like the 9:30).

Not many people would pay $100 to see Michael Bolton. According to the Post review, the Birchmere was half empty for his show.

Originally posted by 6949:
I thought the birchmere was geared towards an older crowd (the artists, prices, seating) so the College Park location surprises me. If College Park students would pay $100 to see Michael Bolton I'm glad I didn't go there for grad school.

This is true. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think some bands sign deals with LN that in effect say that they are obligated by them to play their venues if applicable.

Originally posted by Bags:

Originally posted by kmb187:
I hope the artists who have played 9:30 in the past will recognize its history and reputation and choose to play there… although that whole idea may be rather optimistic.

The artists' preference may not matter much if LN tells them that if they don't play the Fillmore in DC, then they don't play other LN venues in cities A, B, C and D (where there is no great LN alternative like the 9:30).

Originally posted by Seth Hurwitz:

Originally posted by bull930:
more bands coming to DC!!!!!

same bands coming

higher tickets after bidding wars

its strange that sometimes competition is good for prices, in other scenarios it is bad.

of course, i guess seth isnt really the "consumer" here.

I think it's more analogous to two firms competing to get a top notch worker to come work for them, as opposed to the consumer goods market.

Originally posted by le sonick:

Originally posted by Seth Hurwitz:

Originally posted by bull930:
more bands coming to DC!!!!!

same bands coming

higher tickets after bidding wars

its strange that sometimes competition is good for prices, in other scenarios it is bad.

of course, i guess seth isnt really the "consumer" here.

Two words describe what's wrong with this deal: Live Nation. Goggle 'em and weep. Do the terms "monopolistic" and "anti-trust" ring a bell? Not good for fans, not good for musicians. May the "God" of your choice bless Seth.

Somebody mentioned it already, but i'll second it. Leggett went after the money and tripped over himself. The Birchmere at least was local - which goes a long way with the self-consciously all-too concerned East Silver Spring Takoma Park crowd - and booked neo-folkies and an ocassional Dead rip-off band which is't exactly controversial.

Wait until all the birkenstock-clad parents of 3-10 year olds (some of whom have juvenile records for doing bong rips at the Capital Centre 17 years ago) who are already afraid to go into silver spring after dark see the lists of bands that hit the filmores and HoB's in other cities.

The NIMBYism hasn't even started. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

Chris Crocker says: Leave 930 alone!!

do you eat in local restaurants or chessecake factory? support local venues, boycott large monopolies. live nation now controls the warner also.

Originally posted by anarchist:
live nation now controls the warner also.

As well as the 6th&I Synagogue.

Originally posted by Bags:
The artists' preference may not matter much if LN tells them that if they don't play the Fillmore in DC, then they don't play other LN venues in cities A, B, C and D (where there is no great LN alternative like the 9:30).

Good point.

Unfortunately.

Originally posted by azaghal1981:

Originally posted by anarchist:
live nation now controls the warner also.

As well as the 6th&I Synagogue.

Doesn't GOD control the 6th&I Synagogue? I mean, really…

Depends on who you ask, I guess.

And if so, he royally fucked up by letting its concert promoting fall into the wrong hands.

Originally posted by anarchist:
do you eat in local restaurants or chessecake factory? support local venues, boycott large monopolies. live nation now controls the warner also.

Yeah because the few of you who boycot starbucks and the cheesecake factory are really making a difference.

Most people will go where their favorite bands are playing.

You know, I've had the opportunity to hear a lot from all sides of this equation, and I think everyone in this business is about making money, bottom line. The venues, the bands, the booking agents, the promoters, all of them. The music is somewhat secondary here. Can't blame them I guess, but keep that in mind when you bash the "fill in the blank" for ticket prices, monopolizing shows (as if 9:30 by default doesn't already have a monopoly on certain size shows in this city), etc.

In the end, we, the fans with $$, determine how a market deals with performance spaces. I'd love to live in a city like NY that can support so many venues and bring every band under the sun there. Except I hate NY for every other reason. But those venues don't open up cause someone says "let's give the fans more opportunity to see great music." They open cause they see a chance to make more $$. End of story. The same way 9:30 can charge $5 or more for a miller light, or the Synagogue can rent it's space for performance.

Speaking of which, anyone can put on a show at the Synagogue, if you've got an idea why don't you make something happen instead of complaining about the people who do put shows on there. It is amazing how much complaining goes on by lazy people. Don't like it, fucking do something about it, or at least try.

I love 9:30, I love the Cat, the Hotel, LiveNation, all of them have a place. But there are pieces of all of them that make me sick too, about the biz in general that makes me sick. But I'm not gonna trash any of them for trying to make money, cause that it is a given in this industry. If you have a problem with that you shouldn't go see live music.

What if the cheesecake factory food and service is better than the food and service of the local restuarant?

Originally posted by anarchist:
do you eat in local restaurants or chessecake factory? support local venues, boycott large monopolies. live nation now controls the warner also.