New York City Thread Location • Page 33

I was at that show! Was in Feb of 2004.

 

Ah, I was close! I was there for MBR and FOB, so I spent the Mest portion of the show on the couches in the lobby chilling with a friend. I remember hearing "Cadillac" upstairs and people were jumping so much that the ceiling above me was creaking and bouncing. Thought that thing was gonna fall on me.

 

For being a mediocre band, Mest must have had awesome management as they were constantly on big tours and/or had big up and coming bands open for them.

 

HA I can't believe I missed that Mest/FOB/MBR show. That lineup would've been right up my alley at the time.

Favorite Irving Plaza show for me was definitely Blink 182 in November 2003 for the Dolla Bill Tour.

Also Straylight Run/Minus The Bear/The Honorary Title/Spitalfield was a great show at the time, and an amazing bill in retrospect.

 

Top Irving Plaza shows for me:

Green Day in 2012 - Billie Joe was drunk as shit but they played an epic 40-song set. This was about a week before his meltdown at the iHeart festival

Foo Fighters in 2007 - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace release show, one of the only times they've played "Home" live.

New Found Glory/Early November/Cartel/Hit The Lights in 2006 - insanely stacked bill at the time in small venue

Mest/Fall Out Boy/Matchbook Romance in 2004 - as mentioned above

Motion City Soundtrack in 2011, 2 nights - played all 4 albums at the time

Sum 41/Unwritten Law in 2001 - during Sum 41 initial mania

Brand New in 2007 w/Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra - peek BN Jesse Lacey-diva behavior but still excellent show

Florence & The Machine in 2010 - rare intimate show for her already at the time

Lana Del Rey in 2012 - not so much for the performance but because it was a rare US show at the time and the crowd was insanely hyped

Soundgarden in 2012 - Release show for King Animal, band and crowd just all-around psyched

 

I'd need to dig through my ticket box, but the top of my head I think my favorite was:

Midtown and My Chemical Romance (opening!) for Reggie and the Full Effect. I remember feeling an unbelievable sense of euphoria when the disco ball started going during Mood 4 Luv and James was rollerblading through the crowd.

In terms of the most surreal, easily My Chemical Romance opening for Mindless Self Indulgence on December 13th, 2003.

I remember this day vividly. I woke up and my parents were watching the news that Sadaam Hussein had been captured. I was in 9th grade and went to the show with a woman from the My Chemical Romance message boards who was 30-years-old and visiting from Colorado. How my parents allowed this...I do not know haha.

We got to the venue something like 10 hours early and it was FREEZING. Snowy, slushy, wet. We were ill-prepared for the elements and ended up taking a break in the Union Square Walgreens with all of MCR (was friendly with them in the early days) and they bought us some items to keep warm. In line, the MSI fans were psychotic. They had a massive tarp and called it Tarp Town and started holding democratic elections for leadership. When they figured out we were MCR fans, we got voted out of Tarp Town (?).

Anyway, the show starts and it is an absolute disaster for MCR. Someone threw a bag of human shit at Gerard during their set. Eventually, Gerard leaned into it and had the entire front of the crowd spit on him, a lot of which flew on me. I can't imagine in their career that MCR played many shows with a crowd more hostile towards them. The vibes were beyond off.

 

My friend was at this show haha. Confirmed exactly what you mentioned about people spitting on MCR.

 

I haven't been to Irving Plaza in a while but definitely saw some good shows there. I think I've seen say anything multiple times there and I saw the motion city soundtrack commit this to memory anniversary tour in 2015.

Seems like everyone I want to see has been through LPR lately. I don't hate LPR but it also feels like they sell to many tickets for its size. My favorite venue lately is Brooklyn Bowl I wish more bands I like would come through there.

 

Irving and Webster Hall kinda blended together for me haha

 

This SO MUCH. I've been to both so many times & get them confused

 

I used to live around the corner from LPR so the convenience was awesome. Tough with no cell reception down there though.

 

Elsewhere and BK Steel have become my favorite venues in the city. While not always convenient, I find the layouts to be much more suitable for smaller shows.

 

As a short person, MHOW will always be one of my favorites for those elevated side platforms. Saw some good shows there when it was northsix also

 

Since we're discussing venues, here's my take on venues from the Venue thread a few years back (edited to add a few new ones)

SMALL CLUBS

Mercury Lounge - small intimate space on the LES. Basically the first stop for many touring bands when they first come to town. No backstage area so the band has to walk through the crowd making encores a bit awkward (like when I saw The National do a one-off there right before Trouble Will Find Me comes out). Great venue and an awesome space to see a band coming up

Bowery Ballroom - Probably the best small club in the entire country. 500-capacity and a great room with a bar downstairs. Something really magical about the place and there's a reason why a lot of bigger acts do special one-off shows there. I've seen Green Day and (believe it or not) Maroon 5 play that room and both were great.

Music Hall Of Williamsburg - Modeled after Bowery Ballroom and was formerly known as Northsix. 550-capacity and is usually the additional stop when bands want to do two nights in the city and do one at Bowery. Bar downstairs similar to Bowery and all around great place. They've seen a decrease in shows since Brooklyn Steel has come onto the scene.

Rough Trade - Also in Brooklyn and a few blocks away from the Music Hall. Same promoter so they get a little bit less action in terms of big names. It's slightly smaller than Bowery and MHOW (about 400 capacity I think) but still a great intimate spot. Lot of acts play special record-release shows here where you get in if you purchase their new album.

Knitting Factory - Another Brooklyn spot (RIP Manhattan Knitting Factory). Nice dirty and smelly venue with a SMALL floor area. Lots of competition for shows in Brooklyn these days so I haven't been much but can't go wrong seeing a show here.

Gramercy Theater - 600-capacity under-used room. Used to be a movie theater so the floor slopes and has a bar downstairs. Nice overall set-up though don't find myself frequenting it a lot since they seem to not book shows I'm interested in.

Elsewhere - One of the newest venues in Brooklyn with different rooms with different sizes. The main bathroom is completely gender neutral which, while being inclusive, makes for some hilarious situations like the time some dude was presumably unloading his lunch in a stall and a girl was reapplying her makeup 4 feet away but I digress. The main room is probably 600-700 cap and I think they used to mostly focus on electronic-type shows but I've seen more rock/indie stuff booked here.

Avant Gardner - Cool space that, similar to Elsewhere, seems to focus more on electronic/DJ events. I think the main room holds something like 2000 people so it's a nice alternative to Terminal 5 and can almost be seen as a replacement of Roseland Ballroom (RIP). Main challenge is it's in THE MIDDLE OF FUCKING NOWHERE so it can seem a bit sketchy coming off the subway and walking around an industrial part of Brooklyn at night.

MID-SIZE

Webster Hall - Recently renovated and now I think is just one room (though they may still have the basement venue). 1400-capacity and better than Irving Plaza for shows since the room is a bit more wider and the downstairs bar spreads out attendees a bit more.

Playstation Theater (formerly Best Buy and before that, Nokia Theater) - 2200-capacity room in the middle of Times Square which means it's a bit pricey and cheesy but good sounding room. This is basically the city's version of The House Of Blues. Used to be a movie theater so there are multiple vantage points. AEG books it so usually has a lot of the mid-size pop-punk shows. (UPDATED: now closed)

Brooklyn Steel - 1800-capacity new room in Williamsburg which has been getting a lot of action recently. Interestingly, it has a BIGGER floor space than Terminal 5 so feels a lot more comfortable. If you don't live in the city, can be a bit of a trek to get to but worth it.

Terminal 5 - Probably the most loathed venue in the city. 3000-capacity though not necessarily set up so all 3000 people can see the stage at the same time. Used to be a dance club hence the multiple levels. If you're going, get there early otherwise the floor gets extremely packed. They've seen a bit of a decline recently since Bowery Presents has focused on on building up Brooklyn Steel.

Irving Plaza - 1100-capacity and has been a mainstay for the NYC concert scene for a while. Live Nation-booked and a great overall intimate-ish venue to see shows at. Was here all the time back in the late 00's but has slowed down a bit in recent times. They just revamped it and put the merch section in a completely separate room (used to be upstairs) so it's a little more spacious in the main room. Getting stuck under the balcony overhang sucks though.

Beacon Theater - Famous seated theater and great-sounding. About 3000-capacity and if you're up in the balcony can be a little steep but a beautiful room nonetheless. For more quiet shows, definitely preferable to Terminal 5.

King's Theater - recently revamped a few years back but in DEEP Brooklyn so a bit of a trek if you're in the borough. Seems to specialize in the more quiet/minimalist indie rock shows rather than energetic acts. Beautiful theater so if it's the right vibe, definitely a good place.

United Palace - WAY up in Manhattan, still functions as a church on Sundays I believe. They don't do much in terms of concerts anymore but I've seen some cool shows here in the past. 3000-capacity and all seated.

Hammerstein Ballroom - Gets mistakenly reported as being 2,2000 capacity but it's actually closer to 4000 with a GA floor and two balconies. Used to rival Roseland as the biggest mid-size venue in the city until Roseland closed. Not used a ton for concerts but usually bands that can't yet fill arenas book multiple nights here.

LARGE VENUES

Radio City Music Hall - Doesn't need much of an introduction. Beautiful 6000-capacity theater with great sound. Not necessarily a great place for rock shows but for more theater-appropriate acts (think of indie pop/folk bands), is a great place. Expensive as fuck if you want to get your drink on though.

Madison Square Garden - Again, no need for much of an introduction as it's probably the last arena in the US that hasn't been branded. Biggest challenge with MSG is there are a TON of corporations/brokers with their hands in the ticket pool so probably only about 50% of the tickets on sale for any event go to the general public. Food/beverages are expensive but if you get a chance to go, definitely something great about seeing a show here as most of the bands are psyched to be playing this venue.

Barclays Center - Alternative to MSG for arena shows and generally a more user-friendly experience. Staff is more courteous and it's usually easier to get a decent seat at. Better food selection overall too. Probably more of a bitch for people traveling from NJ/LI though.

Forest Hills Stadium - Seems to be the stop for acts that are too big for theaters but can't yet fill an arena (8k-capacity). Really nice setting in a lovely neighborhood in Queens and essentially functions as 2/3 of an arena as an outdoor venue (definitely not what we think of as a proper stadium). The early 10pm curfew can make for early start times which likely throws people off (a la Brand New starting at 6:30 for their co-headlining show with Modest Mouse there in 2014).

LI/NJ/NY state spots

Metlife Stadium - Not much to say since it's an NFL stadium and probably very similar to other NFL stadiums. There is a train that runs there on event days which is helpful for people coming from the city (though I usually duck out a few songs early to avoid the huge clusterfuck leaving). Expensive concessions all around but a cool experience if you've never seen a big stadium show.

Jones Beach Amphitheater (Long Island) - Preferable amphitheater choice for me though if you live in NJ the PNC Bank Arts Center is probably better. Jones Beach is slightly different than your typical amphitheater in that there's no roof and no lawn. They finally started allowing a GA Pit in 2014 and, as of last year, finally started allowing booze. If you're in the city, a pain to get to (train to cab which gets pricey)

PNC Bank Arts Center (New Jersey)- A bit easier to get to from Jones Beach as they run a school bus (literally) from the train station. No GA Pit though but overall smaller ampitheater.

Starland Ballroom (New Jersey) - Pain in the fucking ass to get to from the city (Train + Uber ride) but sometimes the only option for tours that don't hit the city. Decent club with a wide layout.

Paramount (Long Island) - Great venue, sort of like Irving Plaza on steroids. A bit of a haul from the city (hour train ride + plus) but they usually will grab the B-market tours so if you want to see multiple legs, you'll find yourself out here. 1500-capacity and they don't pack it so it never feels cramped.

Capitol Theater (Port Chester, NY) - Great historic theater, I think about 2200-capacity. Tend to get more of the jam-band shows though I've seen some great shows here from acts who might normally play arenas in the city like Queens Of The Stone Age. Easy ride on Metro North.

White Eagle Hall (Jersey City) - Never been there but heard good things. Seems like a small 800-capacity room that many acts will play even when they're on their B/C market tours if they need to do promotion in the city.

Stone Pony (Asbury Park) - This is definitely barely NYC-area but a historic club on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Nice and dirty inside to give it a true "Rock club" feel.

Convention Hall (Asbury Park) - Similar to Stone Pony, just barely counts as NYC area (I think NYC radio stations still reach here which is why I'm counting it). They used to hold Skate & Surf/Bamboozle fest as it essentially looks like a high school gymnasium with bleachers. Good for 3-4k-capacity shows.

 

Hold up, Playstation Theater closed?? That's a bummer. While it was overpriced, the plus of being in Time Square was that so many subway lines took you there. Also for a 2,200 cap venue, it has way more bars than it needs, which mean no long lines. Also loved the elevated floor.
Rough Trade in BK closed, but was a cool place to see a show. Only times I went were when I still had a car, and I was always able to get a spot right in front of the place. BK Steel was easy for parking too.

Favorite NYC venues are definitely Bowery, Hammerstein and Beacon. Radio City is beautiful but I rarely get the chance to see shows there. Last time I went was for Noel Gallagher in 2018.

Absolute worst venues are Terminal 5 and Barclays. I don't think I'll ever make myself go to either place again.

And you forgot about Forest Hills Stadium!

 

Ah good call, gotta add Forest Hills to the list. And why the hate for Barclays? From an arena standpoint, I find it more desirable than MSG due to location and better concessions.

 

I know you did not just say Barclays was better than MSG lmaoooooo.

 

Terminal 5 is almost always oversold and it is nearly impossible to see anything. One of the worst venues I have ever been to ever

 

Better sound than MSG but trying to take the subway after a show there still makes it objectively worse than MSG in my book

 

Barclays does have Nene’s Taqueria now though so…

Brooklyn Made is the newest and I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. kind of feels like they prioritized the ‘space’ over the viewing experience - I hate pillars. Proabably the best beers on tap for a reasonable price (Other Half for $10).

 

My biggest gripe with Barclays is the shitty subway service after shows. Every single time I've gone there, there's always a train delay, the platforms are always flooded with people, and it'll take me 90 minutes to get home even though it only took 20 minutes to get there.
I also hate how steep the upper level is. I always feel like I'm gonna fall.

 

MSG has the LIRR/1/2/3/A/C/E all on-premise with B/D/F/M/N/R down the block. That versus Barclays' transport options has to be a wash.

Barclays, IMO, has no legitimate advantage anywhere else. The Barclays stairs are so steep all over the sections that they literally have LIGHTS ON at the aisle for the steps which really destroys the vibe. The cavernous ceiling gives all shows the energy of a funeral because it retains none of the sound from the band or most importantly the crowd.

MSG has the clear historical and prestige advantage but it has better lights, better sound, and the "shake factor"—for shows that are really rocking. Those 100s, 200s and Chase Bridge sections will all literally bounce since the venue is built on cables above Penn. It's one of the most surreal and euphoric show experiences you can have anywhere in the world when MSG is moving under your feet like that. Add in the staff are some of the most friendly and pleasant service workers in the entire city and you have an unparalleled venue experience.

 

Yeah I love MSG from a prestige standpoint but my irritation is mostly due to the ticketing shennanigans that go on there (more than any other arena) in terms of holds for brokers/secondary market. Barclays, by mere virtue of it being across the river in Brooklyn, decreases demand and makes it easier to get tickets to. Additionally, there has been a noticable shift in the past decade of acts opting to play BK instead of Manhattan due to BK being the most populated borough and I think there's a nice local vibe in the audiences vs. Manhattan since it tends to be less people coming into the suburbs. My preference of Barclays is mainly due to location and concessions vs. other logistics as I can imagine if I was coming from NJ or Queens, it'd be super irritating to trek out there.

 

Definitely a very valid point of the slice of the ticket pie that the public gets for high-demand events at MSG. Unfortunately, just a systemic problem that is really magnified at a venue like MSG.

Humble brag but since I changed jobs in 2019 my current job has access to a box at The Garden which has made going to many shows a lot more stress-free. And literally free too, ha.

 

Also, re: PlayStation/Best Buy/Nokia, always thought that was an under-rated gem of a venue. Sure it wasn't cool or historic but the functionality of it was amazing, particularly with the two-level floor and seats which made it so it would never feel that crowded.