the Fox Theatre in Atlanta is pretty tight. It has alot of history too. A favorite venue for many of the greats. The location is perfect. Right at the edge of downtown. An abundance of parking space making it ideal for tailgating. The venue itself is incredible. I will warn you that if you see a show there do not get balcony seats. The sound is not nearly as good as the floor level. That it's only flaw. But sound on the floor is the best I've ever heard. Even better than the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The atmosphere is aesthetic to the max. Midnight blue glow in the dark ceilings with twinkling little lights that resemble stars. around the stage is a mosque like design and along the walls follows the same motife. Bright red carpets with persion rug type designs. TV's showing the concert all throughout the spacious lobby which contains about 6 bars. The mens and womens bathrooms are totally seperate. basically there is an extra wide staircase that then splits-men left and women right. than you go down some more stairs down to the basement where you find this huge lobby with couches, coffee tables, mirrors, plants. great place to chill out. you have to walk across this area to get to the bathrooms. Its the same on both sides. the persian motife follows you through out the whole venue. Michael, Billy, and Jason loved the whole venue so much that they did an extra little set for us out there in the lobby! What other great venues are there?
for a big theatre I love Radio City Music Hall - the sound is amazing and its a great atmosphere. For a smaller more intimate value I love Irving Plaza or as its now called thanks to clear channel "the fillmore" - Its intimate and has a very warm feeling to it - you can lean right on the stage
the atl fox is amazing... and i'll add red rocks & the gorge for obvious reasons horn in the west in boone, nc because its like the appalachian version of red rocks and hampton coliseum (VA) because it feels like a spaceship in there & bands tend to blow the roof off of that place oh yeah, almost forgot my latest favorite, Eagles Nest Ampitheater outside of banner elk, nc...just amazing
I like the Greek Theater in Both Los Angeles and Berkeley. both have a very different set up and distinct vibe. Berekeley has the amazing history and awesome Greek architchture.....the Greek in LA is beautifully tucked into the mountains and is surrounded by trees...both are so amazing. and i have amazing conerts at both. the Wiltern in Los Angeles is a fun venue...good security and very mellow. you can see the stage well from any place in the venue. The Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver....its where the Orchestra plays and I saw Primus there and it was amazing. The Chan Centre, Vancouver....wow! this place has the greatest acoustics. i say David Grisman Quintet there and oh my lord!! so amazing. classical type show, silent during the song and only cheering when instruments are down. it was brilliant. i want to hear Phish in this setting. none of those hooters and hollerers....loud bastards...
Red Rocks' sound is amazing as long as the tech has half a clue. The Gothic in Englewood (Denver Metro) Colorado is just sweeeeeeeeeeeeet. I caught Stockholm Syndrome this weekend for half the show and Schools' bass was just making the walls resonate. Not vibrate: resonate. Stubb's BBQ in Austin is nice: outdoors. My one time at Palookaville, (Santa Cruz) had good sound. But it WAS JonO and I have heard him work magic in a roller rink. I kid you not. It was for the Rhythm Devils.
nice. i am glad that you made the distinction between "vibrate" and "resonate"...one sucks and one is very good.
one day I'll get to red rocks i hope. i'd like to see shows at both the greeks as well. :cowboy: if you're ever in nashville the Ryman Auditorium (Grand Ole Opry.) small, intimate, excellent sound and atmosphere. Stained glass windows, memorabilia cases, great lighting, etc. All wood inside the auditorum. the sound just resonates so well. Perfect for acoustics. lots of dancing space on floor level and balcony. behind seating theres a huge ten foot wide space all the way through to the wall on both levels. It is great to listen to acoustics and still not be able to hear yourself think. This is very uncommon, atleast and all of the venues I've been to. in my opinion balcony is where you want to be. floor level has several balcony supporting pillars that might obstruct. the lobby is pretty shitty but they really make up for it for cheap prices on good bear and liquor. excellent lot!
I gotta agree that the Greek in Berkely and Red Rocks are great venues! I still gotta say that the Orpheum and the Warfield in SF are two of my favorite venues. I thought I was in heaven during intermission at a JGB show in the 80s, my first Warfield show, burning a fatty while ordering a beer from the bar just waiting for Jerry to start the second set.
I like the Nokia Theater in NYC. Usually brings good people depending on the show, great sound, and easy access to all areas of the venue.
The Greek theater in berkely is superb. I was only out there once to see SCI, Bisco and STS9. I recently made my way out to the Calvin Theater in western mass...small but a great place!
