July 2008

Briefly: Trey and Don’s Time Turns Elastic

Former Vermont Youth Orchestra mentor Trey Anastasio makes his next appearance with a full orchestra on September 27 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Trey will play electric guitar

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The B List: Building The Perfect Venue

New concert venues are popping up around the country like strippers that have slept with A-Rod. Some of these new venues will be great and some will, of course, suck.

So what makes a good venue? Obviously it’s hard to compare an 15,000 seat amphitheater to a 1,000-person club. But there are certain elements that are crucial to fan happiness no matter what the size of the venue.


Here is a quick list of suggestions to keep the average concert-goer happy:

1. Have the best sound possible

Seems kind of obvious…but Terminal 5 – I am looking at you. While some musicians are fun to look at and light shows are wonderful, we are there for the sound. So when it comes to setting up the venue, the sound should be the top priority. Whatever it takes, get the sound right. Don’t roof the floor section with a giant balcony that will muddy the sound. Don’t line the walls with substances that will cause echoes or reverb. Don’t just stack the speakers wherever there is room. If you don’t get the sound right, you’ve blown it before you’ve sold the first ticket. Also don’t blow our doors off. The show should be loud…but not so loud that my ears are stinging for 12 hours afterwards. Find that nice zone where it’s plenty loud but not painful to the ear. The 9:30 Club in Washington DC has this concept down perfectly.

READ ON to find out what else Luke looks for in a new venue…

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Bloggy Goodness: Laziness Abounds

Between the Home Run Derby, sticking around for all 15 innings of the All Star Game and my birthday yesterday I’ve had quite the week and I’m completely wrecked. I’ve

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Briefly: Second Annual NYC Philathon

While we dearly missed the Allman Brothers’ annual 78-show run at the Beacon this March we’ve got another incredibly long residency to help dull the pain. Phil Lesh and Friends

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JJ Grey & Mofro: Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT 7/11/08

Over the last couple years, Mofro have morphed from a quirky neo-blues band into a bonafide soul review. With the horns and churchy organ, it would be easy to predict Grey and company would get a hearty response from an audience anxious for a good time on a Friday night. But without the bandleader’s commitment to the music and the fervor contained in songs like "Lochloosa," it'd all be for naught.

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Widespread Panic : Carbondale 2000

This first release from the Widespread Panic Archives only leaves two questions to ponder: What will come next from Widespread Panic Archives and when will it be released?   Until then this release will satisfy any Panic fan cravings.   

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