Of course it is Red Rocks in Colorado. Followed closely by the Gorge in Washington state.
The Showbox in Seattle, WA
The Jaxx in Springfield VA. I have seen most of my shows there and really enjoy going there.
…I was there Saturday for INTERPOL…love the $8 drinks in dixie cups filled up with ice…we were lucky enough to grab that plastic covered couch by the bar for a little while…
St. Andrews Hall - Detroit - Small, loud, and just scary enough to be fun.
Howlin’ Wolf - New Orleans - Cool building, no searches at the door.
I haven’t been there in a while, but I’m told that Red Rocks has made it a policy to play a tamer brand of music, shying away from anything harder than artists like Dave Matthews.
Still, it’s an amazing setting for an evening of music. I don’t know if they still do it, but when they light that fire on the crest of that rock, it’s just awesome.
For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about, there’s a U2 video filmed there.
Can anyone remember what song the video was for?
I have not been to the Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, or many of the other fine venues mentioned, so I can’t really compare. I have to suspect that they can’t quite compete with having the sun set behind you and wash the rock-lined stage with that fabulous red/orange light.
One performer actually stopped his set in the middle and had the whole crowd turn around and look.
As far as the acts and so forth:
http://www.redrocksonline.com/02_events/02_events.tml
I already replied once to this post this morning, but when I hit submit I was met with a “server not found” page and when I hit the back button, my message was gone, so I’ll try to duplicate this, although probably in less detail this time
just some comments first on places already mentioned
Irving Plaza - this was a pretty nice place, although the stage seemed really tiny. Security there really doesn’t give a shit about anything. They use metal detector wands but didn’t even stop to search me when the digital camera in my pocket set it off. Between sets the club shows these really weird dance videos on the screen and tvs.
930 Club - I’ve only been there once, but I remember I had a really good time. I don’t really like the club’s no photo policy, even for bands that allow photography.
Red Rocks - a really unique place to see a show…lots of climbing though.
some of my favourite places to see a show that weren’t mentioned yet:
Toad’s Place , New Haven, CT - I’m not sure if this club is quite as famous as they claim (I only live 25 miles from it…), but many really big bands started out there, and from time to time like to do “homecoming” shows there. Every show I’ve seen there has been very energetic and fun. I haven’t been there in a couple of years, but in April I’m seeing They Might Be Giants there.
Lupos’ , Providence, RI - this club has a very interesting layout. Although the room between the stage and the back wall is pretty narrow, there is lots of standing room on the sides of the stage, and the balcony has actual couches.
Westbury Music Fair , Long Island, NY - this theater has a round, rotating stage, with stadium seating around it. Because of the layout, the bottom tier of seats are VERY close to the stage, giving a great view, and because the stage rotates, not only is no seat better or worse than any other, but you can see the performance from interesting angles that you couldn’t normally see in a concert.
bombzaway got it:
Greek Theatre in Berkeley;
Sit on the lawn, overlook the Campanille, sailboats in the bay, San Fran. skyline behind that.
Natural bowl, accoustics are clean.
It’s Berkeley; every musician and their brother comes there.
Don’t like a show? Wait a week, someone you like will be there.