Favorite Music Venues?

I haven't been to a concert in a while but the last one I went to was at the Fillmore. That is a great classic venue. Cool vintage posters in the lobby too.

I'm not a big fan of outdoor venues. I've never been to one where the acousics are really good. A few years ago I went to see a concert in San Jose (I can't even remember who it was) and I just couldn't get into it. The worst one I ever went to (and this will totally date me) was to see Depeche Mode at Dodgers Stadium--(it was awful and not just because they really weren't much of a concert band). Most indoor concert halls get it right , for the most part.

The Fillmore is great, of course. The last place I went to was The Boom Boom Room. It was kinda small but so cool--I never had so much fun. I hope its still around--that was before the recession hit. The decor was really cool too--checkered floors and and a cool reddish glow. Really fun!

I know it's a little out of the way, but I just went to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk last night, and the venue there (the name escapes me...) looks like it would be a lot of fun for a concert. Of course, the acoustics would probably be terrible since it is just a stage on the beach, but it looks fun nonetheless.

What is the Fillmore? Is it a mainstream venue or more underground/alternative?

Good stuff. I'll have to check it out. Is it still as cool as it used to be or has it kind of lost its edge over the years?

I haven't been in forever, but its under new management. The guys name was Bill Graham and he did die in a plane crash in 1992ish--it was just after I moved here.

It wasn't that different than other concert halls a had been to, but the acoustics were really solid.

The Warfield is a really good facility--unfortunately they never book anybody I would want to see.

Where is the Warfield? What kind of acts do they bring in?

The Warfield is on Market Street where Taylor runs into it--right across the street from the Golden Gate Theater. I don't know if this is representative these days, but last night I heard that Adam Lambert from last season's(?) American Idol played there to a sold-out crowd. So I guess they book main stream pop-band?, I don't know.

Looking at their upcoming shows, I didn't recognize most of the names but maybe Porcupine Tree and Espinoza Paz mean something to non-middle aged foggies like me. I did recognize Weird-Al Yankovic--and Crowded House who I didn't realize made it out of the last decade (I think I remember dancing to them at my prom).

I know that in the Sixties this was a major place that booked people like Joplin and Jeffersen Airplane, but I don't know what its reputation is these days.

I don't know how I missed this earlier--but, of course, Bimbos 365 on Columbus. It is maybe the best place to see live music in the city form mainstream acts to great indie bands like the Raconteurs or even something as relatively obscure as the Brazilian band, CSS.

Its got a great red carpeted bar and tables--a real 1920's speakeasy feel--apparently Rita Hayworth got her start here back in the day.

I just saw Squeeze at the Fillmore. I had never been. Great venue. I have been to concerts at the Warfield too. I like the Warfield better because it has seats. Fillmore is standing room only. Ugh. I've also seen the Beasty Boys at the Bill Graham Auditorium near the Civic Center. Also a good venue, but again, standing room only.

I like the Shoreline Amphitheater for outdoor concerts, but that's in Mountain View. The weather is nicer there too.

The Warfield is a really good facility--unfortunately they never book anybody I would want to see.