Clubs Vs Small Venues Vs Amp/Arenas

[unitedwestand]

What are the best to see shows in?

[heyeric]

i've always enjoyed a well ran small venue.

[JustSteve]

hard to pick. clubs are fun for the energy, sweat, and closeness to the performers. but you need and arena or amph. for an amazing stage production full of fire, etc.. and once your favorite band makes it big it's sometimes hard to enjoy the shows as much if you have been around since the club days, you long for the shows/days where you see the same couple hundred fans at every show.

having said all that, i think the glass house, fonda, and el rey are some of my favorite places to see shows.

[seandlr]

small venues have always been more personal to me

[Still-ill]

So far its unanimous, small venues rock.

[TheWatcher]

I like smallish venues like the Troubador, House of Blues, etc. I think the best places hold slightly under 1000 people.

[JustSteve]

smallish? troub. is about as small as it gets, tiny even.

[TheWatcher]

smallish? troub. is about as small as it gets, tiny even.

Well, the Whisky, the Roxy and the Knitting Factory are smaller. Are they considered clubs? I am not sure of the difference. I assume the Key Club is a club?

[JustSteve]

clubs for sure.

[algunz]

I chose SMALL VENUES. Only because I couldn't put down clubs based on the all too common fact that you're more likely to have to deal with a clueless douche who knows nothing about who you're there to see and proceeds to be an asshole through much of the artists set. It can happen anywhere, but it seems to happen more often in clubs. Otherwise if it's one of those wondrous crowds who have the common goal to just fucking enjoy the music, then a live show in a little club is the BEST.

[seandlr]

I chose SMALL VENUES. Only because I couldn't put down clubs based on the all too common fact that you're more likely to have to deal with a clueless douche who knows nothing about who you're there to see and proceeds to be an asshole through much of the artists set. It can happen anywhere, but it seems to happen more often in clubs. Otherwise if it's one of those wondrous crowds who have the common goal to just fucking enjoy the music, then a live show in a little club is the BEST.

I once went to go see the Watchmen (Tom Morello's solo band) at the troubador, where a majority of people were just at the little bar watching the show from the television in the area. It was so agrivating as so many people wanted tickets and to just see them wasted like that. Thats why I hate clubs.

[seandlr]

Another question would be, "Sit down or Stand up shows?"
I would predict stand up would be the winner

[TheWatcher]

I chose SMALL VENUES. Only because I couldn't put down clubs based on the all too common fact that you're more likely to have to deal with a clueless douche who knows nothing about who you're there to see and proceeds to be an asshole through much of the artists set. It can happen anywhere, but it seems to happen more often in clubs. Otherwise if it's one of those wondrous crowds who have the common goal to just fucking enjoy the music, then a live show in a little club is the BEST.

I think the douche bag factor applies to any venue. Some of the worst examples of douchebaggery are seen at large venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, where the majority of the people are just there to drink and socialize. I've had better experiences at small venues, but I guess it also depends on the bands as well.

[BROKENDOLL]

hard to pick. clubs are fun for the energy, sweat, and closeness to the performers. but you need and arena or amph. for an amazing stage production full of fire, etc.. and once your favorite band makes it big it's sometimes hard to enjoy the shows as much if you have been around since the club days, you long for the shows/days where you see the same couple hundred fans at every show.
having said all that, i think the glass house, fonda, and el rey are some of my favorite places to see shows.

I agree, although I've not been to the 3 you listed. It really does depend on the particular performance and the draw it has that determines the fun factor. Good example is the recent Prodigy show at the Palladium. I had never been there and had no clue as to the size, layout, etc. Honestly, I was expecting a much bigger venue like an arena, perhaps.(Compare to Daft Punk in LA) I was really suprised when we arrived, and my first comment was, "This is gonna make for a really intimately good show." I pretty much thought we'd be up on some tier looking down, not hanging off the front rail like we were! You can pretty much bet that the next time there's a Prodigy show, thanks to all the positive input and good times, there will be many of us who will be longing for that smaller venue! BTW...I was totally impressed with the sound at the Palladium, anyone else? I mean, c'mon, a place that size and Prodigy's sound? Suprisingly perfect, I thought. Not many places that size could pull it off, I don't think. (And, I'm now convinced the Palladium is earthquale proof, no doubt!)

Another question would be, "Sit down or Stand up shows?"
I would predict stand up would be the winner

Once again, that depends on the performance you're there to see. I certainly wasn't gonna sit down at Prodigy, that's for sure! But, say, Paul McCartney? Waters? Billy Joel? < LOL...kidding! The day you guys see me at a Billy Joel show is the day you need to put me out to pasture! LOL Perfect example: Daft Punk. (Again) Saw them in the Sahara VS LA up in the loge level. Pretty hard to dance standing between aisles or in the little area in front of your seat...Had it been a chilled out crowd and music, then yeah, sitting would be preferred.

[JustSteve]

WHY ISN'T "POLO FIELD" AN OPTION?!

[seandlr]

I think the douche bag factor applies to any venue. Some of the worst examples of douchebaggery are seen at large venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, where the majority of the people are just there to drink and socialize. I've had better experiences at small venues, but I guess it also depends on the bands as well.

Exactly the reason why I dont like going to the bowl

[BROKENDOLL]

WHY ISN'T "POLO FIELD" AN OPTION?!

It would have ended the poll?

[faxman75]

What's the difference between a small venue and a club? I can think of several places that can be categorized as both. What about theaters? Are they clubs or small venues?

[fikus222]

I love the SF Fillmore, which is the standard to which I judge all other small venues.

[MissingPerson]

I like small venues, and standing up in them, for all the aforementioned reasons. That said, there are a few obvious acts - Muse, U2, Springsteen etc - who benefit greatly from a big, huge venue, and a big, huge crowd.

[Kid B]

Small venues

[Wheres the beef?]

WHY ISN'T "POLO FIELD" AN OPTION?!

winner

[nbvwes]

What's the difference between a small venue and a club? I can think of several places that can be categorized as both. What about theaters? Are they clubs or small venues?

as far as i have noticed, the only diff between a club & a small venue is a club serves alcohol...


but my fav continues to be the key club...


for large venues, i'll go with the Gorge, Polo Fields, & Glen Helen (and also the Lorelei @ Rockpalast)... fuck arenas.

& i got attacked by raccoons at the Greek...

[TheWatcher]

& i got attacked by raccoons at the Greek...

Story?

[ashleerose]

Hands Down Small Venues. Only if the sound quality is good though. Nothing sucks worse than going to a small venue to see a STELLAR band and then the sound system sucks. I typically dont listen to big name bands anyway...so they never make it to the Larger venues...so maybe my opinion is not well rounded?

[nbvwes]

Story?

it was Swell Season last october... i had one of those seats all the way to the side bout halfway back (where the stairs to the lower level are) and a family of raccoons were obv awaken by the noise and decided to move along, right next to my head where i was standing... i mean, i wasn't bitten or anything, but i was pretty stoned and it scared the shit outta me...





...and a small venue with great sound = a club (imo)

[instinct]

as far as i have noticed, the only diff between a club & a small venue is a club serves alcohol...


but my fav continues to be the key club...


for large venues, i'll go with the Gorge, Polo Fields, & Glen Helen (and also the Lorelei @ Rockpalast)... fuck arenas.

& i got attacked by raccoons at the Greek...

Glen Helen?? That place is horrible. I'd much rather go with the hollywood bowl.

[frenzplz]

any venue that can escape the bitch hands of ticketmaster