Music lovers unite: our concert venue picks

By The Beacon | September 10, 2014 7:33pm
seattle-pain-in-the-grass-1995-crowd-surfing-01

By Emily Neelon Excited energy surges through the room as the crowd pushes closer to the stage. Spotlights shine down on the musicians walking across the stage. A song begins, and the room bursts into a frenzy of singing and shouting. In this moment, nothing else matters. Avid music fans will agree that seeing a favorite band perform live is a transformative experience. Whether you are a fan of mellow shows where you can show off your interpretive dancing skills, or upbeat concerts full of fist-pumping and crowd-surfing, Portland is the best place to be. Not sure who to see, where to go, or whether you’re old enough to attend the show? The Beacon’s got you covered:

Top Venue Picks: Doug Fir Lounge 830 E Burnside St., Portland, OR 97214 21+ Doug Fir is a restaurant, bar and lounge that opened in 2004. With a twist on ‘50s modernism and a large selection of the Northwest’s best microbrews, Doug Fir hosts shows at least 28 days each month. Bands such as Vampire Weekend, MGMT and The Shins have graced Doug Fir’s stage. Tickets can be purchased at Doug Fir’s box office prior to the show or in advance on Ticketfly.

Mississippi Studios 3939 N Mississippi, Portland, OR 97227 Night shows are 21+ Started up and operated by musicians in 2003, Mississippi Studios offers standing room on the ground floor or seating in the upper balcony. The studio hosts over 500 shows a year, featuring over 1,500 performers. Foodies can head over to the venue’s restaurant - Bar Bar - for a bite to eat. Tickets can be purchased at the Studio’s box office.

Roseland Theater 8 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 All ages Run by Double Tee Concerts, Roseland Theater has a large floor and upper balcony. This venue is the perfect place for fans of big, boisterous crowds with inescapable energy. Get ready to sweat the night away in a huge crowd of teenagers. Tickets can be purchased online through TicketsWest.

Crystal Ballroom 1332 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209 All ages Nearing its 100th birthday, Crystal Ballroom has hosted  rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead, as well as the memorable (and legendarily nefarious) UP-sponsored Dance of the Decades. Known for its peculiar bouncy floor, the ballroom offers a reserved balcony for 21-plus concert-goers. Tickets can be purchased on their website, at their box office, or at other McMenamins locations.

Top upcoming concert picks: -Lykke Li: September 19, Crystal Ballroom -La Roux: September 20, Wonder Ballroom -Chet Faker: September 23, Wonder Ballroom -Sam Smith: September 26, Edgefield -The Kooks, September 28, Wonder Ballroom -Project Pabst, September 26-28, 3030 SW Moody Ave. -Helio Sequence, October 3, Doug Fir Lounge -The Growlers, October 17, Alhambra Theatre -Alt J: October 16 and 17, Roseland Theatre -Jason Mraz: October 24, Keller Auditorium -The Black Keys, October 31, Moda Center -Chromeo, October 28, Roseland Theatre -Bleachers: November 7, Crystal Ballroom

 

B