View Full Version : Great Gig Venues
SLUDGE FACTORY
03-09-20, 20:29
Brixton Academy
Glasgow Barrowlands
Cardiff Coal Exchange
Chippenham Golddiggers
Nottingham Rock City
Sheffield Leadmill
Moodybluebird
03-09-20, 23:31
Brixton Academy
Glasgow Barrowlands
Cardiff Coal Exchange
Chippenham Golddiggers
Nottingham Rock City
Sheffield Leadmill
The Top Rank, saw some great bands/artists there:
Rory Gallagher
John Miles
Barclay James Harvest
Sassafras
Golden Earring
Moodybluebird
03-09-20, 23:35
Forgot to mention Thin Lizzy. I was really looking forward to seeing Eric Bell on guitar but he missed the gig. The replacement wasn't bad though......a young lad called Gary Moore !
Top Rank. Bowery Ballroom. Mercury Lounge.
The Top Rank, saw some great bands/artists there:
Rory Gallagher
John Miles
Barclay James Harvest
Sassafras
Golden Earring
Others I can recall playing there were Led Zepelin and the not so great Slade, Swinging Blue Jeans and worst of all Hawkwind. Also many local groups including a band fronted by Dave Edmunds.
Moodybluebird
04-09-20, 08:25
Others I can recall playing there were Led Zepelin and the not so great Slade, Swinging Blue Jeans and worst of all Hawkwind. Also many local groups including a band fronted by Dave Edmunds.
A mate of mine went to the Hawkwind gig and apparently there were a couple having it off on the dancefloor during the performance !
I used like the local smallish venues for the up and coming or slightly over the hill bands.
Tonypandy Naval
Llanharan RFC
Bogiez
New ocean club
Harry Lime
04-09-20, 08:46
Cardiff - Nero's
Port Talbot - Troubador
Bristol - Bierkeller
Bath - Moles
Only 1 still going sadly
Mcr: Apollo / Deaf Institute
Cardiff: Engine Rooms / Barfly
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 09:39
The Top Rank, saw some great bands/artists there:
Rory Gallagher
John Miles
Barclay James Harvest
Sassafras
Golden Earring
UFO
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 09:40
Capitol
Thin Lizzy
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 09:40
Cardiff - Nero's
Port Talbot - Troubador
Bristol - Bierkeller
Bath - Moles
Only 1 still going sadly
saw biohazard at the bierkeller , great venue
Steve the Tea
04-09-20, 09:51
The Cory Hall, Cardiff (opposite Queen Street Station) ... early 1970's ... a much smaller version of the Royal Albert Hall:
At this really intimate venue I had the privilege of seeing Sandy Denny & Friends. A wonderful venue and concert.
https://glamarchives.wordpress.com/2017/07/19/ymca-and-cory-hall-station-terrace-cardiff/
Capitol Theatre, Cardiff (where Capitol Shopping Mall is) ... Oct 1971 ... biggest theatre/cinema in Europe at the time.
My first visit was seeing King Crimson on their Islands' tour. This vast cavernous venue was packed; excellent light show by Peter Sinfield and fantastic concert.
StT.
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Theatre,_Cardiff
Capitol
Thin Lizzy
So many at the Capitol including the Beatles.
A mate of mine went to the Hawkwind gig and apparently there were a couple having it off on the dancefloor during the performance !
It wasn't me. I saw Hawkwind twice at the Top Rank - the second time by accident. They were truly awful. The lead guitarist only seemed able to play chords and a few amateurish riffs which a novice guitarist could play with ease. Definitely the worst band I have ever seen and I've seen a lot.
Bradford - 1 in 12 Club
Hebden Bridge - Trades Club
Holmfirth - Picturedrome
Huddersfield - The Parish
Leeds - Brudenell Social Club
Moodybluebird
04-09-20, 12:08
The Capitol and Colston Hall were the main large 'local' venues that attracted the very best artists when I started going to concerts in the early 70's. Not very intimate venues and the sound in Colston Hall could vary from great to not so good but still gave me some great memories.
Brixton Academy
Glasgow Barrowlands
Cardiff Coal Exchange
Chippenham Golddiggers
Nottingham Rock City
Sheffield Leadmill
I've done Brixton Academy, Coal Exchange and Rock City from that list
Not actually a big fan of the coal exchange, I think the tram shed is a far superior venue.
Others that I thought were good was the Shepherd's bush empire and the whiskey a gogo
Ronnie scotts if you're into that sort of thng
I've done Brixton Academy, Coal Exchange and Rock City from that list
Not actually a big fan of the coal exchange, I think the tram shed is a far superior venue.
Others that I thought were good was the Shepherd's bush empire and the whiskey a gogo
Ronnie scotts if you're into that sort of thng
Yep. Ronnie Scotts is a nice atmosphere even though I didn't appreciate the music. I semi lived in a hotel around the corner from Ronnie Scotts so it was somewhere to go in the evening.
Moodybluebird
04-09-20, 14:03
I've done Brixton Academy, Coal Exchange and Rock City from that list
Not actually a big fan of the coal exchange, I think the tram shed is a far superior venue.
Others that I thought were good was the Shepherd's bush empire and the whiskey a gogo
Ronnie scotts if you're into that sort of thng
Definitely agree with you that the Tramshed is a better venue than the Coal Exchange. Although I only saw one gig (Alvin Lee) at the Coal Exchange, I didn't get a good vibe there at all.
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 14:08
It wasn't me. I saw Hawkwind twice at the Top Rank - the second time by accident. They were truly awful. The lead guitarist only seemed able to play chords and a few amateurish riffs which a novice guitarist could play with ease. Definitely the worst band I have ever seen and I've seen a lot.
hawkwind dreadful band
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 14:10
Bradford - 1 in 12 Club
Hebden Bridge - Trades Club
Holmfirth - Picturedrome
Huddersfield - The Parish
Leeds - Brudenell Social Club
1 in 12 club in Bradford was a regular haunt of mine when I lived up there , I live Bradford, Huddersfield but don't like Leeds
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 14:12
I've done Brixton Academy, Coal Exchange and Rock City from that list
Not actually a big fan of the coal exchange, I think the tram shed is a far superior venue.
Others that I thought were good was the Shepherd's bush empire and the whiskey a gogo
Ronnie scotts if you're into that sort of thng
saw so many good bands at the coal exchange , deftones, clutch , will haven , idlewild etc
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 14:17
Definitely agree with you that the Tramshed is a better venue than the Coal Exchange. Although I only saw one gig (Alvin Lee) at the Coal Exchange, I didn't get a good vibe there at all.
Tramshed too small , if it fitted 2000 it would be perfect but at 800 its just not big enough
Moodybluebird
04-09-20, 14:20
hawkwind dreadful band
You surprise me. I thought the presence of Stacia at a Hawkwind gig would be enough to make you their biggest fan.
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 14:23
You surprise me. I thought the presence of Stacia at a Hawkwind gig would be enough to make you their biggest fan.
Awful self indulgent nonsense , a sort of pink Floyd with noise
Not a fan of zappa for the same reason , apart from his commercial stuff
Moodybluebird
04-09-20, 16:57
Awful self indulgent nonsense , a sort of pink Floyd with noise
Not a fan of zappa for the same reason , apart from his commercial stuff
Forget the noise, what about Stacia ?!!!!!!
Royal Albert Hall - just a very special place.
Hammersmith Palais- sadly gone but what a place be it for a concert or Saturday night out as a teenager.
Cardiff Top Rank - when’s full it had a great atmosphere.
Royal Albert Hall - just a very special place.
Hammersmith Palais- sadly gone but what a place be it for a concert or Saturday night out as a teenager.
Cardiff Top Rank - when’s full it had a great atmosphere.
Hammersmith Palais was a good venue. Not so sure about the RHA. I saw two bands there, Echo and the Bunnymen and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Great nights for sure, but I wouldn't want to be seeing bands there on a regular basis. Although, Siouxsie and the Banshees recorded one of the best live albums I've ever heard there. I can be seen in the Echo and the Bunnymen video of Do It Clean getting marched out right at the end. The kicked me out and I walked right back in.
The Capitol and Colston Hall were the main large 'local' venues that attracted the very best artists when I started going to concerts in the early 70's. Not very intimate venues and the sound in Colston Hall could vary from great to not so good but still gave me some great memories.
Yes agree with you Capitol and Colston for me too. Are we still allowed to say Colston???
100 Club.
Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones both played there.
The only iconic club left in London. Also met the mrs there in 81 😜
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 20:10
100 Club.
Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones both played there.
The only iconic club left in London. Also met the mrs there in 81 😜
Is the marquee still around ?
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 20:12
Newport Centre isn't bad
1000 standing down the front
2000 seats above to watch the band
Saw some great bands there , slayer , pantera , trivium
saw the smiths and REM at the newport centre
do they still hold gigs there pre covid of course ?
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 20:14
TJs Newport
Classic small gig venue
Wildhearts, Sick Of It All , Stuck Mojo , Raging Speedhorn
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 20:16
saw the smiths and REM at the newport centre
do they still hold gigs there pre covid of course ?
doesn't seem to be on the radar anymore which is a shame , its better than anything Cardiff has in the 2000 capacity range
St davids Hall is dreadful , University great Hall poor view
doesn't seem to be on the radar anymore which is a shame , its better than anything Cardiff has in the 2000 capacity range
St davids Hall is dreadful , University great Hall poor view
I liked the great hall
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 20:23
I liked the great hall
Mixing desk is in the wrong place , view from where it is would be perfect
just thinking about it my top 2 was :
Royal Albert Hall
Cardiff Top Rank
out of the bigger arenas the Birmingham NEC is decent
saw U2 in Wembley 1987 but was disappointing so never set foot in a stadium to watch a group again
SLUDGE FACTORY
04-09-20, 20:47
just thinking about it my top 2 was :
Royal Albert Hall
Cardiff Top Rank
out of the bigger arenas the Birmingham NEC is decent
saw U2 in Wembley 1987 but was disappointing so never set foot in a stadium to watch a group again
U2 in cardiff in 87 were good
Mind you they were a good band then
Wouldn't want to see them anytime after that
saw the smiths and REM at the newport centre
do they still hold gigs there pre covid of course ?
You probably only saw about 20 minutes of The Smiths!
Newport Centre was a surprisingly decent venue. The Cure played an excellent gig there when they did a smaller venue tour. REM was a great gig.
The Great Hall is fine if you enjoy the mosh pit. Further back the lower ceiling near the bars makes it feel a bit claustrophobic.
Moodybluebird
04-09-20, 20:48
Yes agree with you Capitol and Colston for me too. Are we still allowed to say Colston???
Why not ? Colston, Colston, Colston. Does that answer your question ? heh heh
Moodybluebird
04-09-20, 21:02
I liked the great hall
I think the quality of sound in St David's Hall is dependent on the type of music played. Heavy metal bands don't really work there, neither do bands who up the decibel level. I've seen bands like 10cc, The Moody Blues, The Zombies etc who don't blow your eardrums out and providing the mixing desk does its job, the sound reproduction can be very good.
You probably only saw about 20 minutes of The Smiths!
Newport Centre was a surprisingly decent venue. The Cure played an excellent gig there when they did a smaller venue tour. REM was a great gig.
The Great Hall is fine if you enjoy the mosh pit. Further back the lower ceiling near the bars makes it feel a bit claustrophobic.
your right mind you think it was more like 30 minutes . Some very prominent city fans were on stage demanding the band get back on stage taking over the mic after the incident when morrissey was hauled into the crowd and ended up in the royal gwent !! I won't mention any names they know who they are :hehe:
still got photos from that gig and would be worth a few quid now i would guess in fact was asked to use in a book but I declined
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music/morrissey-night-charming-man-came-6265210
Is the marquee still around ?
Don't think so. When I went there in the late 1960's/early 1970's I seem to recall the club was in Soho within walking distance of where I was staying. The big act at the time was Chris Farlow and the Thunderbirds who had been playing there for years. I think they made their name there. I didn't much care for the place; far too trendy and surprisingly small for my liking.
SLUDGE FACTORY
05-09-20, 09:42
Don't think so. When I went there in the late 1960's/early 1970's I seem to recall the club was in Soho within walking distance of where I was staying. The big act at the time was Chris Farlow and the Thunderbirds who had been playing there for years. I think they made their name there. I didn't much care for the place; far too trendy and surprisingly small for my liking.
Lots of great rock bands played there though but very small
Globe in cardiff is not a bad venue but too small
The Roundhouse even though it has been revamped into more like an arts centre still manages to become a proper rock venue with the right band and crowd in.
The Roundhouse even though it has been revamped into more like an arts centre still manages to become a proper rock venue with the right band and crowd in.
Seen the RHCP there maybe 15 yrs ago didn’t do it for me, I would have loved to seen The Doors there back in the day.
To me a decent venue is all about the acoustics. Small venues are not great as many, but not all, bands play at a volume better suited to larger venues. On the other hand large venues with high ceilings are not great either as the sound bounces around. The distortion can be horrendous. You only get a happy medium by chance and I can't think of any currently in Cardiff. Oddly the Newport Centre was decent. The Top Rank was awful but a place, also long gone, was the dance club in the basement of the old Capitol Cinema. I doubt if anyone on here even knew it existed. It's a great pity that no purpose built places are built with acoustics in mind. Most exist in converted buildings where the acoustics rarely work.
your right mind you think it was more like 30 minutes . Some very prominent city fans were on stage demanding the band get back on stage taking over the mic after the incident when morrissey was hauled into the crowd and ended up in the royal gwent !! I won't mention any names they know who they are :hehe:
still got photos from that gig and would be worth a few quid now i would guess in fact was asked to use in a book but I declined
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music/morrissey-night-charming-man-came-6265210
I missed the gig myself as I'd gone to uni a couple of weeks before. I probably went to the only uni that they didn't play that year and never got to see them.
Would love to see those photos sometime.
Seen the Smiths at County Hall on the south bank open air 1984 - Misty in Roots stole the show.
tforturton
05-09-20, 12:00
Does anyone remember the Stowaway, on Stow Hill in Newport? At one point in the late seventies/early eighties, it seemed like there was a 'name' band playing there every Wednesday. Clash, Jam, Buzzcocks, Generation X, Souixsie, Adam and the Ants, Only Ones, Rezillos, Undertones, Costello, Nick Lowe, the list goes on....
SLUDGE FACTORY
05-09-20, 13:24
Does anyone remember the Stowaway, on Stow Hill in Newport? At one point in the late seventies/early eighties, it seemed like there was a 'name' band playing there every Wednesday. Clash, Jam, Buzzcocks, Generation X, Souixsie, Adam and the Ants, Only Ones, Rezillos, Undertones, Costello, Nick Lowe, the list goes on....
is that the one with the plastic model of a dragon in it ?
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