The marquee & sign look a lot cheaper than I imagined. Has a dated feel which I guess fits in with the district. The building itself looks great though.

Also, just want to point out Urbanized's post was great. There hasn't been a single show I've been interested in but I love the diversity & the niche it is feeding. Sooner or later there will be shows I want to go to & that is good enough for me. Heck, I'm kind of glad I don't want to go to that many shows or I'd go broke.

Yeah, I like the diversity of shows being booked. There are only two shows that have my interest (Disclosure and the Taste of Chaos show). I had to google a few of the bands because I've never heard of em, not a bad thing just not my cup of tea. Can't wait to see what else is in store for the future.

Like has been said, diversity is good... They're dipping into different pockets instead of the same group over and over.

The marquee & sign look a lot cheaper than I imagined.

I like the sign but that marquee looks pretty cheap. I hope that's not the complete end product.

I wouldn't judge the signage just yet.

I like the sign but that marquee looks pretty cheap. I hope that's not the complete end product.

I don't think it looks cheap, just the wrong font if they are going for the old school look.

This is not the finished product.

Thanks for the kind words, jccougar. I will also say that taking a chance on emerging artists is never a bad thing. I have caught a bunch of artists at MUCH smaller shows - some of them artists who I wasn't familiar with - and they ended up knocking my socks off and/or turning into much bigger acts. There will be a lot of bands going through this place who you WILL have heard of in another year or two. My all-time favorite last-minute small show decision was maybe a decade ago when I was working in my old office overlooking the Bricktown canal, when I heard a loud sound check going on, right on the other side of the brick wall behind my desk. That was when there were regular shows happening upstairs in what is now the Jim Brewer Building.

So, I fired up OklahomaRock.com - Oklahoma music news, concerts, bands and more (http://www.oklahomarock.com) to see who was in town and was pleased to see the band was someone who I had heard of and had a bit of interest in (even though I didn't know their music well), so when showtime came around, I closed the office, went around to the venue entrance on the other side of the building, was waved in by Brent Brewer, walked upstairs and - along with about 75 other people - proceeded to have my face rocked the **** off by The Black Keys. I think most everybody knows THAT band these days. Some of the best concert experiences you'll ever have is when you are watching hungry bands on the upswing, as opposed to the jaded rock stars who sell out arenas.

Thanks for the kind words, jccougar. I will also say that taking a chance on emerging artists is never a bad thing. I have caught a bunch of artists at MUCH smaller shows - some of them artists who I wasn't familiar with - and they ended up knocking my socks off and/or turning into much bigger acts. There will be a lot of bands going through this place who you WILL have heard of in another year or two. My all-time favorite last-minute small show decision was maybe a decade ago when I was working in my old office overlooking the Bricktown canal, when I heard a loud sound check going on, right on the other side of the brick wall behind my desk. That was when there were regular shows happening upstairs in what is now the Jim Brewer Building.

So, I fired up OklahomaRock.com - Oklahoma music news, concerts, bands and more (http://www.oklahomarock.com) to see who was in town and was pleased to see the band was someone who I had heard of and had a bit of interest in (even though I didn't know their music well), so when showtime came around, I closed the office, went around to the venue entrance on the other side of the building, was waved in by Brent Brewer, walked upstairs and - along with about 75 other people - proceeded to have my face rocked the **** off by The Black Keys. I think most everybody knows THAT band these days. Some of the best concert experiences you'll ever have is when you are watching hungry bands on the upswing, as opposed to the jaded rock stars who sell out arenas.

That's a cool story ^ I would have loved to have seen U2 in 1978, Nirvana circa 1990, Interpol around 2000, and so on...

I've seen all three, but not during those nascent years, unfortunately. U2 in 1992 (with Frittergirl!) and 2009, Nirvana in 1993, and Interpol in 2005 and 2011.

The Nirvana and Interpol shows still would have fit inside The Criterion, though. The Nirvana show was the biggest of the three and probably still was sub-5K. It's hard to believe, really. As big as Nirvana was they were still never really an arena act.

I bet that '92 show with U2 was so exciting...touring, imo, the finest rock album ever made. Awesome Acting Baby.

Thanks for the kind words, jccougar. I will also say that taking a chance on emerging artists is never a bad thing. I have caught a bunch of artists at MUCH smaller shows - some of them artists who I wasn't familiar with - and they ended up knocking my socks off and/or turning into much bigger acts. There will be a lot of bands going through this place who you WILL have heard of in another year or two. My all-time favorite last-minute small show decision was maybe a decade ago when I was working in my old office overlooking the Bricktown canal, when I heard a loud sound check going on, right on the other side of the brick wall behind my desk. That was when there were regular shows happening upstairs in what is now the Jim Brewer Building.

So, I fired up OklahomaRock.com - Oklahoma music news, concerts, bands and more (http://www.oklahomarock.com) to see who was in town and was pleased to see the band was someone who I had heard of and had a bit of interest in (even though I didn't know their music well), so when showtime came around, I closed the office, went around to the venue entrance on the other side of the building, was waved in by Brent Brewer, walked upstairs and - along with about 75 other people - proceeded to have my face rocked the **** off by The Black Keys. I think most everybody knows THAT band these days. Some of the best concert experiences you'll ever have is when you are watching hungry bands on the upswing, as opposed to the jaded rock stars who sell out arenas.

i was at that black keys show... dr. dog opened. i was also at the black keys show at the green door in bricktown a year or so earlier. i think they're best when they're in a small venue.

Just added: Grace Potter, April 30. I've seen her a couple of times and she's great. Honestly would love to see her play/tour with Gregg Allman.

First show they've booked that I WILL go see. Not that all the other shows won't be great, but further evidence of my increasing irrelevance.

Just added: Grace Potter, April 30. I've seen her a couple of times and she's great. Honestly would love to see her play/tour with Gregg Allman.

Potter/Allman with a little Tedeschi Trucks??

Thanks for the kind words, jccougar. I will also say that taking a chance on emerging artists is never a bad thing. I have caught a bunch of artists at MUCH smaller shows - some of them artists who I wasn't familiar with - and they ended up knocking my socks off and/or turning into much bigger acts. There will be a lot of bands going through this place who you WILL have heard of in another year or two. My all-time favorite last-minute small show decision was maybe a decade ago when I was working in my old office overlooking the Bricktown canal, when I heard a loud sound check going on, right on the other side of the brick wall behind my desk. That was when there were regular shows happening upstairs in what is now the Jim Brewer Building.

So, I fired up OklahomaRock.com - Oklahoma music news, concerts, bands and more (http://www.oklahomarock.com) to see who was in town and was pleased to see the band was someone who I had heard of and had a bit of interest in (even though I didn't know their music well), so when showtime came around, I closed the office, went around to the venue entrance on the other side of the building, was waved in by Brent Brewer, walked upstairs and - along with about 75 other people - proceeded to have my face rocked the **** off by The Black Keys. I think most everybody knows THAT band these days. Some of the best concert experiences you'll ever have is when you are watching hungry bands on the upswing, as opposed to the jaded rock stars who sell out arenas.

Nice! That's the kind of thing that kind of irks me when people talk about OKC not getting shows. This opportunity has been available a lot here for some time and so often when people lament about a band not coming to OKC, they have no idea that they have already played here. The green door used to pull that stuff off all the time. The Opolis, Collective, and to some extent, the Diamond do that now. And, really, the music lab has offered a lot of great opportunities as well. I mean, Nathaniel Rateliff played there just a few months ago and they've already sold out their Red Rocks show for this summer.

Nice! That's the kind of thing that kind of irks me when people talk about OKC not getting shows. This opportunity has been available a lot here for some time and so often when people lament about a band not coming to OKC, they have no idea that they have already played here. The green door used to pull that stuff off all the time. The Opolis, Collective, and to some extent, the Diamond do that now. And, really, the music lab has offered a lot of great opportunities as well. I mean, Nathaniel Rateliff played there just a few months ago and they've already sold out their Red Rocks show for this summer.

Saw Nathaniel Rateliff on one of the downtown stages after Gentlemen of the Road in Guthrie. There was a crowd of <100 and that was definitely in our top 3-4 of bands we saw that weekend.

They had a big crew in there working about 9PM tonight.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion031616.jpg

I will admit...my musical tastes are not that deep or intriguing.

As you enter from the NE corner (and only entrance) you see the side / back of the main floor bar:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016a.jpg


To your left there are stairs up to the 2nd level:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016b.jpg


Main bar to the left, looking towards what will be the stage (that huge back wall):
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016c.jpg


Close up of the bar:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016d.jpg


Looking back towards the bar:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016e.jpg


Main floor looking towards north; stage to left:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016f.jpg


From the same spot looking northeast, towards the entrance:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016g.jpg


Same spot looking east; note the risers on the second level:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032016h.jpg

As a reminder, here are the renderings and floor plans:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch5.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch6.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch7.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterionmarch8.jpg



First Level:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/9929d1420474314-criterion-concert-hall-crit2.jpg




Second Level:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/9930d1420474314-criterion-concert-hall-crit3.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12381&stc=1

leftmost stall... now that's an odd configuration. -M

That's a lot of work still unfinished with less than a week left to open. How can they possibly get an occupancy permit in time?

I don't think it's as bad as it looks.

Everything is pretty much done; they were just painting. Restrooms are finished, etc.

I suspect the floor might not be done by Friday (probably just need to seal it) but then they have another week after Friday before their next shows.

leftmost stall... now that's an odd configuration. -M

Possibly a 'family' stall?

Possibly a 'family' stall?

I'm not sure I want to be part of that family. :p

then again? hehe

Posted yesterday afternoon.

12404

Posted yesterday afternoon.

12404

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/12404-criterion-concert-hall-934721_1701372886799619_1773842803040042305_n.jpg

^

So cool.

Looks like large video screens on either side of the stage on the 2nd level.

No indication that there will be a problem being ready for tomorrow, right?

All systems go as far as I know.

Anyone else going to see Ben Rector tomorrow?

I'll be there so let me know and we can connect. Can't wait to experience that venue.

Will be walking over to WSKY afterwards if anyone wants to join me there as well.

Went to the show tonight. Just have a few thoughts:

- Got tickets at the window at the last minute after learning some friends were going. The wife and I had never listened to much of Ben's music, but we really wanted to go to the first show at this venue. Ben was absolutely incredible. He and his band put on a great show that everybody was in to.
- The venue itself is fantastic. It's clean, the sound was great, and the two different bars that I visited were well stocked and quick to get our drinks.
-We were up top in the balcony area. Every spot in this place has a good view. Also, the large bar on the first floor and the bars on the second floor allow for plenty of capacity for everybody to be served.

I see no reason why this place won't be a huge success with every show they put on.

^

100% agree.

I know this term gets thrown around a lot, but this is a true game-changer.

It was really one of those surreal nights... Went to a little early get-together at WSKY before the show and that place looks fantastic and not even a whiff of smoke or staleness. And no wonder, as they re-upolstered, painted and cleaned everything. Looks and feels amazing and the small plates and cocktails are top notch.

Then, strolled over to the show. Got there a little after 8 and the place was completely jam-packed, so headed upstairs, ordered some drinks and found a place on the risers to stand.

Opening act was entertaining and while I'm not a huge fan of Ben Rector, he put on a awesome show. It was absolutely electric in there and you could just feel how people were excited to have a venue like this in OKC.

They aren't quite finished... Above the upstairs bars and around the back then still have some curtains to hang but honestly, I didn't see many other loose ends. Amazing how they pulled everything together.

Acoustics are *awesome*! And from everywhere in the house, as we moved around several times. Sight lines are very good as well.

Afterwards, walked back to WSKY which was hopping but cool (as was Slaughter's Hall next door) and I had one of those, "Where am I??" moments. None of this was even there just a couple of years ago and I noticed tons of people walking back from the Thunder game as well.

I will see lots of shows here even if I'm not crazy about the artist just because it's so fun, such a great place and easy to get close to very talented people who -- like Ben Rector -- you really appreciate when you see them perform live.

And as you walk out of the Criterion and see the Steelyard rising across the street, you start to imagine how the bars, restaurants and hotels in that immediate area are going to form a pretty special place.

Now, can't wait for the Tower Theater and Jones Assembly. I expect both will be equally great in the own unique ways.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032616a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032616b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion032616c.jpg


Y0GvcOB60tQ

The show it looked awesome and I saw so many happy posts on social media about their new presence that the Criterion kept sharing. Such a win for downtown. Can't wait for the Steelyard to open up and really complete the area.

This was the line waiting for the doors to open... Stretched all the way past IHOP:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ceg68_BWAAEfXH-.jpg:large

Had a great time at the show last night. The Criterion is fantastic, Ben Rector is amazing, and the acoustics were on point - similar to Cain's Ballroom where the music just hits you right in the chest. I was in the balcony the entire night, and even though we were as far away from the action as you could be, we still felt very close to the stage. One thing I really appreciated was how easy it was to navigate through the facility. I never had any problems with bottlenecks, and the various staircases made exiting the building so easy. There weren't even any huge lines at the bars. All in all, a huge win for OKC.

^^^^^^^^^
I too was at the show and echo pretty much everything mentioned above. Fantastic addidition to Bricktown and to OKC in general.

It's crazy seeing how that whole area of downtown will be changed in 2-3 years. I still remember coming off the highway as a kid and it just being warehouses and nothing much else as we would drive to a Redhawks game. Now we have this vibrant neighborhood growing and it's awesome. I really hope they eventually find some use for that stretch of land that the railroad tracks are on, if the railroad company can release it from their grasp.

Great news. Thanks to everyone for the photos. Planning to see Sturgill there in May.

^^^^^^^
One of the revealing things is that while the building is outstanding in every functional aspect (sight lines, acoustics, etc.) in many ways it is nearly identical to the Chevy. And - even though I know there are many details still being worked on - you get the feeling (if you've been to both) that even upon completion the finishes won't be quite as elaborate and nice as the Chevy.

My point is not to criticize, but to demonstrate that - as we have talked about here before - it's all about having an associated promoter who is committed to growing live music in OKC. I get the feeling that if Levelland suddenly had the Chevy instead of the Criterion, the would have exactly as much success as they are currently having with bookings.

To be really clear, the issue is not with ownership; it's about the promoter. My hope is that the owner of the Chevy finds another promoter, one who is willing to compete in the market with Live Nation and committed to bringing great shows. He put too much money and quality effort into turning the Chevy into a great venue for it to sit underutilized from a live music standpoint. I know for a fact that live music is a passion of his; he just needs a promoter who believes in OKC as much as he does.

Simply Great to hear these positive reviews!

Agree that venue overall was solid. Good acoustics, good sight-lines (at least from the balcony). I was going expecting to be underwhelmed but it was a solid showing for the first night. Eager to see some other types of bands there. Some pics I took last night:

12414124151241612417

^^^^^^^
One of the revealing things is that while the building is outstanding in every functional aspect (sight lines, acoustics, etc.) in many ways it is nearly identical to the Chevy. And - even though I know there are many details still being worked on - you get the feeling (if you've been to both) that even upon completion the finishes won't be quite as elaborate and nice as the Chevy.

My point is not to criticize, but to demonstrate that - as we have talked about here before - it's all about having an associated promoter who is committed to growing live music in OKC. I get the feeling that if Levelland suddenly had the Chevy instead of the Criterion, the would have exactly as much success as they are currently having with bookings.

To be really clear, the issue is not with ownership; it's about the promoter. My hope is that the owner of the Chevy finds another promoter, one who is willing to compete in the market with Live Nation and committed to bringing great shows. He put too much money and quality effort into turning the Chevy into a great venue for it to sit underutilized from a live music standpoint. I know for a fact that live music is a passion of his; he just needs a promoter who believes in OKC as much as he does.

Agree. From the photos, the place looks fairly spartan. It is built as a live music venue, and, it appears, it will be very successful in that regard, hitting all the right notes: good size, easy access, great acoustics, etc. I also agree that having a quality promoter has been lacking in OKC for a long time. The "Chevy" has about one or two shows a year I may consider attending, if that.

Strange question that might not always seem strange once East Bricktown is built up, but I wonder why they chose to face the prominent corner toward the highway instead of the city/Bricktown....

Strange question that might not always seem strange once East Bricktown is built up, but I wonder why they chose to face the prominent corner toward the highway instead of the city/Bricktown....

Probably because it faces the street corner. Good question, though, and somewhat unfortunate they did it that way.

^^^^^^
I think you're right that it was faced toward the corner, which seems odd while nothing stands around it but will make sense when Steeyard and developments further east on Sheridan take shape. Also, the lot immediately west could be developed right up to the wall, which would render an entrance on that end awkward or even unusable. The only other option would be to open along the north wall. This was/is the best choice.

makes sense, just looks odd in a sense right now, which I knew wouldn't always be the case...

You may recall in the original plans they had the entrance at the west end.

But, that isn't truly a corner... It's mid-block and the property immediately to the west could build almost right against it. So, they switched it to the true corner.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion110514b.jpg

I had forgotten, thanks for the reminder.

Probably because it faces the street corner. Good question, though, and somewhat unfortunate they did it that way.

A couple of years from now after everything in east Bricktown has been developed, people will be glad they built it the way they did. Massing at the corner is important for good urbanism and I am very glad they took the initiative to do it with this development.

For the die hards:

The Criterion Season Tickets (http://www.livenationpremiumseats.com/venue/the-criterion)

Some fill out that form and let us know how much they charge for it. :)

^^^^^^^
Already did it last week. Prices range from $2750 to $3500/seat depending upon what seating area (for reserved shows). For GA shows you'll have a premium table in the VIP area.

^

Correct and they estimate they will book 40 shows.

So, $70 to $100 per ticket per show.


Most shows seem to be running about $30.

I really hope they eventually find some use for that stretch of land that the railroad tracks are on, if the railroad company can release it from their grasp.

That probably won't happen; the City, along with the Union Pacific Railroad Company, are currently studying what it would take to reactivate this rail corridor to provide additional connections to Santa Fe Station. The main push for this is to be able to have the eventual Eastern Flyer inter-city rail service come right up to the main station platform, as well as to enable possible commuter rail service to the east.

^

Correct and they estimate they will book 40 shows.

So, $70 to $100 per ticket per show.


Most shows seem to be running about $30.


Why so few shows? That's less than one a week, the Cain's does 3-4 shows a week.

Why so few shows? That's less than one a week, the Cain's does 3-4 shows a week.

It's just the Live Nation shows, not all the shows for the venue.

OMG, I just have to say the pics are AWESOME. I really like the pic of the front Pete showed with the signage - really does look fantastic as does the inside.

As DC Sooner felt - I totally agree this looks awesome! And the city is getting better and better by the day/week.

It's just the Live Nation shows, not all the shows for the venue.

It should also be noted that the model for the two venues is very very different. Cain's will book shows that draw at less than 50% of capacity all the time and not because the show underperformed, it would be expected. I don't know if the Criterion will do that, but even if they did, 50% of capacity would be about the size of a full Cain's. And isn't Cain's a promoter owned venue? The Criterion is not and Live Nation basically leases it with a guaranteed number of dates.

It's just really different. Even the Tower's model will be more like the Criterion's with their Live Nation agreement, despite the sizes being similar, but if they have another competent promoter involved it could see more shows because, well, the bands that draw 500 people cost a lot less than those who can draw at least 2000 just to get up to 50% of Criterion's capacity and it still makes a lot more sense to open Cain's for a 500 person show, whereas, I'm not sure if the Criterion should even turn on the lights for that.