I'm sure this has been posted before and I'm too lazy to search through all the posts... How come OKC doesn't get a lot of good concerts? The BOK in Tulsa seems to get more than OKC does. I know there have been several big name ones here but it just seems Tulsa gets more.

This has been discussed before but here are the reasons again:
A) Many of these acts have already come through OKC within the last several years. So instead of coming here again, they go to Tulsa, a new and willing market. I imagine the acts that went there last will come to OKC next time.
B) The arena has been unavailable for extended periods of time while undergoing renovations
C) The Thunder having 41 home dates can create scheduling conflicts.

I could care less about the acts that go to BOK, because as Ive said they have probably come through OKC in the last decade, I just want a portion of the acts that Cains gets.

This has been discussed before but here are the reasons again:
A) Many of these acts have already come through OKC within the last several years. So instead of coming here again, they go to Tulsa, a new and willing market. I imagine the acts that went there last will come to OKC next time.
B) The arena has been unavailable for extended periods of time while undergoing renovations
C) The Thunder having 41 home dates can create scheduling conflicts.


I could care less about the acts that go to BOK, because as Ive said they have probably come through OKC in the last decade, I just want a portion of the acts that Cains gets.

Big acts only come through OKC once every several years? Must be a population or demographics thing. Dallas gets the Eagles annually; AC/DC twice in one year a couple of years ago. And this is just at AAC, which has NBA and NHL home games to schedule around.

Whatever happened to the Fairgrounds Arena, did they tear it down? What about Lloyd Noble, no concerts there anymore? Zoo Ampitheater? In the '70s and early '80s I remember going to big concerts at least monthly; seeing Yes, Jethro Tull, Emerson Lake & Palmer; ZZ Top; Zappa; the Kinks; U2 and others multiple times over a period of several years, if not annually, at these venues.

Must be a population or demographics thing.

That is it exactly, their are like 15 cities/regions in the US that most every tour will hit at some point after that it start depending on where their fan bases are, what promoters are offering and several other factors on where they can make money.

We get very few big tours here in Austin, they usually opt to play in San Antonio if they play somewhere other than Dallas or Houston. I saw Rush on the Snakes & Arrows tour a couple of years ago, it was the first time they had played Austin in something like 20 or so years. They are playing here again on the current tour as they are focusing again on the markets they played for many years before the trend of only playing larger markets became so prevalent. Years ago they used to alternate tours between OKC and Tulsa, of course, the Erwin Center is no Ford Center or BOK Arena.

They haven't had concerts much at Lloyd Noble since the early 90's. I heard that the LNC manager in the 80's was pretty aggressive going after shows and would routinely bid under the Myriad rental, only the bigger tours played the Myriad since it held a few thousand more. The only ones that I went to at LNC in the late 90's/early 00's was Melissa Etheridge and Third Day.

Much prefer the bands that play at Cains as well...Gaga and Bieber can stay up da turnpike

We have very few small and medium-sized venues. I can think of two that consistently have national acts... Conservatory, and the Diamond Ballroom. That's part of the problem. I think the other part of the problem is that the airwaves here are really strange. The only station that really caters to the demos that typically go to a lot of concerts is a pop station... so I am not really sure where one advertises if they are a *modern* rock band.

Big acts only come through OKC once every several years? Must be a population or demographics thing. Dallas gets the Eagles annually; AC/DC twice in one year a couple of years ago. And this is just at AAC, which has NBA and NHL home games to schedule around.

Whatever happened to the Fairgrounds Arena, did they tear it down? What about Lloyd Noble, no concerts there anymore? Zoo Ampitheater? In the '70s and early '80s I remember going to big concerts at least monthly; seeing Yes, Jethro Tull, Emerson Lake & Palmer; ZZ Top; Zappa; the Kinks; U2 and others multiple times over a period of several years, if not annually, at these venues.

Well, first off... you can't compare OKC to Dallas. lol. DFW is the 6th largest metro area in the US, so of course they get more acts than we do.

And secondly, there isn't really a shortage of concerts in OKC. Quite the opposite in fact...

Eagles and AC/DC???? lol. Do you really need to see THEM every year????

You need to view Oklahoma as one concert destination... becuase that's kind of how the promoters seem to view it. Between OKC (OKC Arena, Coca-Cola Events Center, Zoo Amp, and Diamond Ballroom), Tulsa (Cains and BOK), and Rocklahoma in Pryor.... we have a pretty great sprectrum of all the best acts in the country.

Much prefer the bands that play at Cains as well...Gaga and Bieber can stay up da turnpike

Amen. Tulsa gets the best shows simply due to the history of Cains Ballroom. No venue like that anywhere in OKC.

i don't mind making the drive to tulsa to see someone special, especially at cain's. so many of the bands that play there know the history and seem to step it up when they play the historic venue. wilco a few years ago comes to mind specifically...

UCO's academy of contemporary music venue in bricktown is drawing some good names to play there - mountain goats, dr. dog, the sword, heartless bastards, black angels... but i think they probably would've played here anyway, either at conservatory or opolis.

bok's getting a lot of the big names because it's fairly new and promoters hit it pretty hard. it happened with the ford center when it opened - rolling stones, mccartney, eagles, elton john/billy joel, britney spears...

i like the vibe of the diamond ballroom, but man, it's in the middle of nowhere.

Agreed with everyone here. On Zoo Amp, it's pretty much the same ole. Couple of Mayhem tours, Heart/Journey, Tim McGraw, Red Dirt Day. Cains is great. I would love to see someone do a venue in OKC like The Granada Theater in Dallas. It's a good mix of shows.

Chris
http://www.radiookc.com

steely dan at brady's theater on july 12th. another one in tulsa because we don't have a nice theater in the city.

that's not true. we've got a nice 2000-seat theater - steely dan would've been a perfect show for the civic center. i do think they're playing tulsa instead of okc because of the show at winstar in thackerville (too close to okc).

is the civic center leery of the crowds that would show up for a rock concert? i know they've had some since the remodel - coldplay, joe bonamassa, and some others i can't recall off the top of my head.

i can understand not bringing in some heavier acts, but steely dan's fans shouldn't scare anyone.

lucky star and first council casinos are getting a bunch of oldies lately (bret michaels, meatloaf, crosby/nash, moody blues). riverwind's concert scene seems to have dried up... winstar in thackerville's getting a bunch of shows, and big names too - kid rock, duran duran, robert cray, steely dan, tim mcgraw.

Eagles and AC/DC???? lol. Do you really need to see THEM every year???? Nope not me, just replying to "big acts every several years". They are "big" as far as guaranteed butts in every seat.

We have very few small and medium-sized venues. I can think of two that consistently have national acts... Conservatory, and the Diamond Ballroom. That's part of the problem. I think the other part of the problem is that the airwaves here are really strange. The only station that really caters to the demos that typically go to a lot of concerts is a pop station... so I am not really sure where one advertises if they are a *modern* rock band.
The lack of decent mid-sized venues has always been an issue in OKC. There was a short period where they had concerts at the old Quicksilver's (NW 10th & MacArthur), I think it was known as The Roxy at the time). I saw Dream Theater/Fates Warning, Kansas, Molly Hatchet, Motley Crue (w/ John Corabi) and others and the tickets were at reasonable prices compared to arena shows. That is how country has made it for years, the large bars help keep the ticket prices lower than normal, I would hope the casinos could do the same thing. Riverwind should be able to have decent venue and get good crowds there.

The WinStar casino gets a lot of the best acts. Oklahoma City just isn't getting them.I like the BOK way better than the OKC arena, but since I live in OKC, I don't get up to Tulsa much. I'm amazed at the shows that go to WinStar.

I don't understand why more bands don't come to the Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center. There have been some good concerts there in the past but from looking at their website not much is going on. Go here: http://www.brewerentertainment.com/events.asp and click on the event calendar. It's empty. If I'm missing something they shouldn't make it so hard to find. Crappy acoustics aside, this should be the go-to venue in OKC for bands that can draw enough to pay the rent. Great parking, safe environment, easy access, upscale restaurants nearby (except IHOP, but it is a nice one), plus there is a clean; urban feel to the area. I guess the capacity is just too high or they charge too much to rent it. I know that 'Sound Tribe Sector Nine' was scheduled to play there but was cancelled due to an illness in the band. I wonder how that was selling.

For my money though, the best place to see a concert in OKC is the Civic Center. Coldplay in 2003 there was perfect all around.

I just don't see many Cains bands wanting to play in the fancy shmancy Civic Center

I just don't see many Cains bands wanting to play in the fancy shmancy Civic Center
Nope, it really isn't the venue for rock bands.

I have never really heard good things about the Bricktown Events Center, I did think they would have many more shows than I had seen there before I moved. Crappy acoustics will keep a some acts from playing in a venue, word of bad acoustics gets around. I saw a show once at one of the exhibit halls in The Myriad (when it was still The Myriad), once you got past the 15th row you had the sound bounce back from the concrete block wall behind the crowd, it made the show pretty much unbearable. There are things you can do to make acoustics better, it just takes some engineering fees (acoustical consultant) and money to put the acoustic modifications in place. In the overall scheme of things it is something that is rather inexpensive to create a much better environment for the listener....but then the owner has to care about such things.

I just don't see many Cains bands wanting to play in the fancy shmancy Civic Center

That is just stupid.

Any band that is at the level of playing at Cain's is either there because they are on their way up or on their way down. Who are these bands you speak of that wouldn't want to play in a "fancy shmancy" place? Name one. Because if they could they would.

And don't come at me with the legendaryness of Cain's. I know all about it. Just because a band finds it cool that the Sex Pistols played there doesn't mean that that is the only type of venue they are interested in playing at.

Nope, it really isn't the venue for rock bands.


I have never really heard good things about the Bricktown Events Center,

It's not the venue that makes a great "rock" show. It's the band. I've seen great shows in parking lots, in warehouses, and in nice places like the Civic Center, too.

Rock snob elitism is boring.

I've been to concerts at the events center and aside from some acoustical problems (which most wouldn't notice or mind) it is a cool place to see a show.

I've been to concerts at the events center and aside from some acoustical problems (which most wouldn't notice or mind)...

I find this to be untrue - quite a few people do notice and mind if there are sound problems and there are some that won't go back to a place with bad acoustics after having been there once. And bands certainly notice and mind if they sound bad while playing in one of those venues.

As far as comparing the Civic Center to Cain's - it's *very* similar to comparing the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago to Martyr's. One has seats and politely clapping patrons with a little bit of energy and the other has people standing (and some sitting at tables), clapping loudly with lots of energy. I've seen a guitarist play both places in Chicago and he really didn't like playing at Old Town - he said it was too stuffy, he feeds off the energy of the crowd, etc. Way back, I saw a few bands at the Civic Center, but it wasn't the ideal place to see a band.

All about the seats and atmosphere...Just don't see Gov't Mule,STS9, Umphrey's McGee playing in the civic center...Not saying they never would but it isn't really a place that jam bands and many other Cains bands would seek out...I am sure if the money was right they would make it work but it wouldn't be high on their list

What's the "adult beverage" situation at the Civic Center? Do they allow beer in the auditorium? The only show I've seen there since the remodel was Coldplay and I don't remember seeing any beer during that show, but that was a long time ago.

If they don't, that may also be a factor in the difference of the atmospheres of the CC and places like Cain's and Bricktown Events Center.

I'm not sure the Civic Center would be too receptive to some of the bands mentioned here playing there. I think bands are
pretty open to play anywhere there is cash especially in today's economy. Not sure that they would like it if something got messed up and put them in a bind with Celebrity and the Broadway series.

Chris
www.radiookc.com

I find this to be untrue - quite a few people do notice and mind if there are sound problems and there are some that won't go back to a place with bad acoustics after having been there once. And bands certainly notice and mind if they sound bad while playing in one of those venues.

As far as comparing the Civic Center to Cain's - it's *very* similar to comparing the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago to Martyr's. One has seats and politely clapping patrons with a little bit of energy and the other has people standing (and some sitting at tables), clapping loudly with lots of energy. I've seen a guitarist play both places in Chicago and he really didn't like playing at Old Town - he said it was too stuffy, he feeds off the energy of the crowd, etc. Way back, I saw a few bands at the Civic Center, but it wasn't the ideal place to see a band.

I wasn't talking about bands. Like you said, a few people may notice or care, but most don't. They're just there to rawk. Besides, acoustics at the events center aren't that bad, just not choice. I'm not impressed with Cain's acoustics at all, but bands continue to play there, because it's all about the history and they can't pull a bigger audience.

Since the Civic Center remodel the sound is high quality and the concerts I have gone to sounded great, which I think is most important in a live setting. As far as atmosphere and energy goes, that has alot to do with the unpredictable attitude of the crowd as much as venue. I was impressed with how enjoyable seeing a band at the Civic Center can be. I wasn't comparing it to Cain's specifically. I think it would be interesting to see some "Cain's bands" at the Civic Center, though. Such as Wilco, etc. Whatever "Cain's bands" means in 2011. Since Kesha was recently scheduled to play there. Now moved to the Brady due to high ticket sales. (In case you're into that kinda thing.)

The Wilco gig would be a no brainer for OKC. The show sold out in Tulsa in no time. I think the need is there
for a good live music venue with good acoustics. I have not been to a gig at Rose State but looks like
it could have some possibilities. Anyone have any feelings one way or the other? I think we could have had
a better turn out for the English Beat if it had been in a venue like that. Sad thing was there were a lot of people
stopping by the venue asking questions like "the english beat is playing here?!!" and then left and never
came back. It was pretty sad.

Chris
www.radiookc.com

that's not true. we've got a nice 2000-seat theater - steely dan would've been a perfect show for the civic center. i do think they're playing tulsa instead of okc because of the show at winstar in thackerville (too close to okc).

is the civic center leery of the crowds that would show up for a rock concert? i know they've had some since the remodel - coldplay, joe bonamassa, and some others i can't recall off the top of my head.

The Civic Center has had several rock, and one-night engagements and would like more. There are two pretty big hurdles in play, however:

1. The resident performance companies take up more than 200 dates per year in the main hall for performance and rehearsal time. As such, trying to book main stage shows for a one-night gig is all but impossible. The stars have to align and we have to sprinkle on just the right amount of fairy dust to make it happen since the tour dates have to mesh with venue availability dates.

One nights are usually the most lucrative for the facility.

2. On the other side of the spectrum, promoters are pushing their artists to go to the bigger venues. Even artists such as Michael Buble or Norah Jones, who would be outstanding in a venue like the CCMH, are going to larger arenas because of the simple butts-in-seats:money ratio. Even with higher overhead, a promoter can make a heck of a lot more money selling 10,000 seats at an 18,000 seat house (even if it is a concrete box and the acoustics sound like someone's trying to phone in from the bathroom stall), than they can by selling 2,500 seats at a 2,500 seat house.

Money talks. Plain and simple.

I for one still do not understand why the LNC in Norman is not booked with concerts anymore?

I for one still do not understand why the LNC in Norman is not booked with concerts anymore?

miranda lambert is booked for next month.

miranda lambert is booked for next month.

I'm guessing the same reason no one's playing at the OKC Arena anymore, they're all playing at BOK.

I just hope after the shine wears off the BOK center in a few more years that the concerts will balance out and OKC Arena will get their fair share. There isn't one concert on the calendar at OKC Arena from now through the month of May. In the same time period BOK has Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon, Stone Sour/Theory of a Deadman, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, and the Foo Fighters. I know Lady Gaga and Kings of Leon have both played OKC recently, but I don't see any band that played Tulsa recently making stops in OKC. I used to go to a ton of concerts at the Ford Center, I really miss going.

miranda lambert is booked for next month.

I wasn't thinking of local acts.

I wasn't thinking of local acts.

So I guess you think if Garth Brooks, Reba McIntyre, or Carrie Underwood play here that would be discounted because they're local acts?

So I guess you think if Garth Brooks, Reba McIntyre, or Carrie Underwood play here that would be discounted because they're local acts?

The first two I would consider "past prime, nostalgia acts", the later a national act. I doubt Carrie is being booked at LNC. Hence my original question of why does the LNC not book the shows that were on the scale of the acts from the late 70's and 80's? Journey, Clapton, Springsteen, Pretenders, etc.

I wasn't thinking of local acts.

what do you consider "local"? you are aware she's from texas, right?

what do you consider "local"? you are aware she's from texas, right?
I'm also aware that she now resides in Oklahoma. "Local" being present, not past tense.

Foo Fighters are kicking off their new US tour (http://www.foofighters.com/us/tour) in May at the BOK.

No OKC date--hopefully the Arena will still be hosting Thunder games at that time, anyway. . .

The first two I would consider "past prime, nostalgia acts", the later a national act. I doubt Carrie is being booked at LNC. Hence my original question of why does the LNC not book the shows that were on the scale of the acts from the late 70's and 80's? Journey, Clapton, Springsteen, Pretenders, etc.
Current management hasn't wanted an active concert calendar since the early 90's. I think they have probably only averaged a few a year since that time as opposed to the late 70's to late 80's when they had many a month.

I remember one weekend set of shows, Thursday January 19, 1984 was Genesis (Mama Tour) at the LNC, the next night was ZZ Top (Eliminator Tour) at the LNC and Lionel Richie played The Myriad on Saturday night. The ticket prices were Genesis-13.50, ZZ Top-Comp Ticket and I think Lionel Richie was about 15.00.

Current management hasn't wanted an active concert calendar since the early 90's. I think they have probably only averaged a few a year since that time as opposed to the late 70's to late 80's when they had many a month.

I remember one weekend set of shows, Thursday January 19, 1984 was Genesis (Mama Tour) at the LNC, the next night was ZZ Top (Eliminator Tour) at the LNC and Lionel Richie played The Myriad on Saturday night. The ticket prices were Genesis-13.50, ZZ Top-Comp Ticket and I think Lionel Richie was about 15.00.

It's a shame as it is a taxpayer owned facility and should be used to benefit the community.

I'm also aware that she now resides in Oklahoma. "Local" being present, not past tense.

That again raises the question of why you would discount any performer who either lives in Oklahoma or has Oklahoma ties. Miranda Lambert is currently a big name national draw. Do you think they just feel sorry for us poor people and perform here as a favor?

That again raises the question of why you would discount any performer who either lives in Oklahoma or has Oklahoma ties. Miranda Lambert is currently a big name national draw. Do you think they just feel sorry for us poor people and perform here as a favor?

Looking at her tour dates for next month I see Dodge City, Lincoln, Ft. Myers, St. Augustine, Melbourne(FL), Abilene, Lubbock, and Tyler. Some big time venues there. Wonder if those stops will be on Underwood's next tour. Give me a physical break. She is a looker though.

Looking at her tour dates for next month I see Dodge City, Lincoln, Ft. Myers, St. Augustine, Melbourne(FL), Abilene, Lubbock, and Tyler. Some big time venues there. Wonder if those stops will be on Underwood's next tour. Give me a physical break. She is a looker though.

I also happen to prefer Carrie Underwood but Miranda Lambert is the reigning queen of country music at all of the award shows. She is big time whether you believe that or not. You don't need a physical break you just need to be a little less judgemental. And you haven't answered why you think no Oklahoma entertainers count. I'm not defending the recent shows at the LNC just questioning your way of thinking.

I also happen to prefer Carrie Underwood but Miranda Lambert is the reigning queen of country music at all of the award shows. She is big time whether you believe that or not. You don't need a physical break you just need to be a little less judgemental. And you haven't answered why you think no Oklahoma entertainers count. I'm not defending the recent shows at the LNC just questioning your way of thinking.
I said Carrie did count. Why is she not booked at the LNC? ML might be winning award shows, but she is not booking major cities or venues. She is not as big as you think. The Lips would also be an act that should be booked at the LNC, but current LNC management seems to be ineffectual.

I said Carrie did count. Why is she not booked at the LNC? ML might be winning award shows, but she is not booking major cities or venues. She is not as big as you think. The Lips would also be an act that should be booked at the LNC, but current LNC management seems to be ineffectual.

I agree that Carrie is a bigger concert draw and thus stays with the larger arenas. You are confusing how many people a performer can draw to a concert with how "big" they are. The Rolling Stones could sell out any arena in the country but they would be classified the same way you classified Garth Brooks and Reba who you discounted. I promise you that Garth could easily sell out any venue where he chose to perform no matter how past his prime you think he is.

I agree that Carrie is a bigger concert draw and thus stays with the larger arenas. You are confusing how many people a performer can draw to a concert with how "big" they are. The Rolling Stones could sell out any arena in the country but they would be classified the same way you classified Garth Brooks and Reba who you discounted. I promise you that Garth could easily sell out any venue where he chose to perform no matter how past his prime you think he is.
Substitute Styx or Twisted Sister for the Stones and I would agree with you. What do you use for measuring how big an act is? Downloads? CD sales? If it's not azzes in seats then what constitutes a big act?

Substitute Styx or Twisted Sister for the Stones and I would agree with you. What do you use for measuring how big an act is? Downloads? CD sales? If it's not azzes in seats then what constitutes a big act?

I think critical or public acclaim certainly factors into that. I not sure I understand your reference to Styx or Twisted Sister. Are you saying they would draw a bigger audience than the Stones or are you saying they are past their prime and the Stone aren't? I would disagree with either argument. And just because someone chooses to perform at smaller venues does not mean they are small time. Some performers just prefer that and enjoy the closer feel of the audience. As an example, John Denver in his prime could sell out large venues but was much better in the smaller places and chose those most of the time.

It's a shame as it is a taxpayer owned facility and should be used to benefit the community.
I think there are more athletic events going on in the LNC than there was back in the 70-80's. When I was in school in the early 80's I think basketball was the only thing going on, most other sports were at the old Fieldhouse. For some reason I think the women still played in the Fieldhouse at that time. I thin they are just focusing on school uses rather than outside uses.

Also, country acts tend to play many more markets and smaller markets than most rock/pop acts play.

Riverwind used to get some excellent shows but have been dry for the last year. I was told by someone who works there that the person who was in charge of bringing performers to Riverwind went to work in Thackerville and the person who is running it now has now has little interest in bringing in acts to the theater. It seats around 1500, a lot of times someone who was booked at Riverwind was also booked at Winstar around the same time and it wasn't a problem as far as ticket sales go.

that would make sense. winstar has a lot of shows in the next few months. the location just isn't as convenient as riverwind is.

Riverwind used to get some excellent shows but have been dry for the last year. I was told by someone who works there that the person who was in charge of bringing performers to Riverwind went to work in Thackerville and the person who is running it now has now has little interest in bringing in acts to the theater. It seats around 1500, a lot of times someone who was booked at Riverwind was also booked at Winstar around the same time and it wasn't a problem as far as ticket sales go.

The booker can only go as far as management will let them. There is not really a special skill to that job but there are
some tricks to reducing costs. Good people skills can work you thru alot of management issues that can pop up. My
guess: the budget dried up for concerts.

Chris
http://www.radiookc.com