Pittsburgh's Music Identity (Penn Hills, Cheswick, Austin: how much, garden, arena)

[ForYourLungsOnly]

Originally Posted by raubre

Just in: Guster is coming back to Pittsburgh to Stage AE on Apr 30.

I saw them at the Arts Festival last year. Pretty good.

Awesome! These are the kind of acts I was hoping AE would pull in. The TRUE test will be how long they can move a decent amount of tickets for the acts they have scheduled there. If we have trouble filling up venues like Smalls and Zoo, we have some work to do if we want to fill up AE sized venues.

[ForYourLungsOnly]

Originally Posted by TelecasterBlues

This city has never been very supportive of developing a music scene and has always been dominated by sports/bar culture. It seems like every venue is stuck out in some weird spot that doesn't make any sense...I mean, Mr. Smalls is great but who wants to go out to Millvale? Why we don't have ANYTHING located downtown is a total travesty.

Agree. And Zoo really is awful when it comes to sound.... and drink prices.

[bradjl2009]

There really isn't much of one but I think with the Consol Energy Center and Stage AE opening last year, it will definitely open up more possibilities for groups wanting to come preform here in Pittsburgh. Also on a related note, the arena got an award today as the best new major concert venue in the country.

[raubre]

Originally Posted by ForYourLungsOnly

Awesome! These are the kind of acts I was hoping AE would pull in. The TRUE test will be how long they can move a decent amount of tickets for the acts they have scheduled there. If we have trouble filling up venues like Smalls and Zoo, we have some work to do if we want to fill up AE sized venues.

Only if they could get MGMT, The Dead Weather, Spoon, Band of Horses, Arcade Fire and other true alternative bands that either never been here or haven't been here in a long time.

BTW, here's Stage AE's page for event updates...

PromoWest Productions - Concerts and Live Entertainment

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by ForYourLungsOnly

If we have trouble filling up venues like Smalls and Zoo,

Which is a real shame. People here just aren't that interested in going out to concerts. Last year I saw a show with Neon Trees, Paper Tongues, and Civil Twilight for $10 bucks at Altar Bar. That show would have been sold out anywhere else with a venue of that size. 3 bands have had good play on alternative rock stations (well, not counting The X because they haven't diversified their playlist in 15 years) and the show was dirt cheap. Yet, the venue was just over 1/2 full.

[raubre]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

There really isn't much of one but I think with the Consol Energy Center and Stage AE opening last year, it will definitely open up more possibilities for groups wanting to come preform here in Pittsburgh. Also on a related note, the arena got an award today as the best new major concert venue in the country.

That's good news! I wish Muse would come and play there, but I think thier not tourning now.

[raubre]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

Which is a real shame. People here just aren't that interested in going out to concerts. Last year I saw a show with Neon Trees, Paper Tongues, and Civil Twilight for $10 bucks at Altar Bar. That show would have been sold out anywhere else with a venue of that size. 3 bands have had good play on alternative rock stations (well, not counting The X because they haven't diversified their playlist in 15 years) and the show was dirt cheap. Yet, the venue was just over 1/2 full.

Agreed about The X. I think that same bill may have sold out in DC Baltimore and Columbus.

[TelecasterBlues]

Originally Posted by ForYourLungsOnly

Agree. And Zoo really is awful when it comes to sound.... and drink prices.

yup...going to see Jimmy Eat World play a show on Valentine's Day. They have to be one of the most genuine and fun live bands that I've ever seen...and they're stuck at Club Zoo . I saw them at the Homestead Library Music Hall a few years back and was floored at how amazing they were...another example of a nicely sized/classy venue that is in the worst location known to man. I'm guessing that they were stuck out in dodge the last time and wanted to be closer to the city this time around...but unbeknownst to them, they chose the hell that is Club Zoo .That place is literally just a dance club that acquired a music license for additional revenue, it's not even a legit space for a concert and works horribly from all angles and perspectives. Altar Bar kicks its @ss up and down the Strip in every way.

Another funny one was sticking the Silversun Pickups in "The Chez-a-Rena" out in Cheswick. Literally an old rollerskate rink turned rap dance club turned dinky concert venue that now sits on top of a Good Will surrounded by a failed strip mall...how in the world they ended up there was beyond me. Funny thing was that it had great acoustics and they gave out pizza on the side...so many jokes were cracked over the mic about it, they supposedly brought roller skates and wanted to have a skate party or some junk afterwards .

Originally Posted by raubre

Agreed about The X. I think that same bill may have sold out in DC Baltimore and Columbus.

The X has become what DVE is but only for 90s washouts instead of classic rock...satellite radio and Pandora has saved my life.

[feanix]

Originally Posted by ForYourLungsOnly

Awesome! These are the kind of acts I was hoping AE would pull in. The TRUE test will be how long they can move a decent amount of tickets for the acts they have scheduled there. If we have trouble filling up venues like Smalls and Zoo, we have some work to do if we want to fill up AE sized venues.

I've gone to Mr. Smalls a couple times (most recently to see CKY) and hated it every time. I like the venue, really it's quite fantastic, but the parking sucks ba**s. Big ones. Being disabled and having to park blocks away turned me off to going there. I think the parking situation is a lot of it's lost appeal.

I used to peruse open mic nights in the South Side. I think there's lots of hidden talent in Pittsburgh, and didn't find it lacking at all. I think most places don't get the word out about their open mics so the draw is low, thus lots of people remain largely unknown. Paul Tabachneck was another artist from Pittsburgh who performed last year in the Art Festival. You can YouTube him. AcousticCafe has a lot of local artists and where they can be heard. Rusted Root, yeah, that takes me back to the 90's alright! The Clarks takes me back as well.

By the way, I noticed this older thread: http://www.city-data.com/forum/pitts...-come-out.html

[raubre]

Originally Posted by TelecasterBlues

Another funny one was sticking the Silversun Pickups in "The Chez-a-Rena" out in Cheswick. Literally an old rollerskate rink turned rap dance club turned dinky concert venue that now sits on top of a Good Will surrounded by a failed strip mall...how in the world they ended up there was beyond me.

I was just thinking about thta. I wanted to go, but sincee I don't have a car, I keep wondering how to get there. I don't evenm know Cheswick!

Add to my wish list The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, The Alarm, The Smithereens, Psychedelic Furs and Blondie.