Saving Abel announces for August 11th

Saving Abel will be playing their own show at The Criterion and they are also touring with Trapt, Saliva, Alien Ant Farm, CrazyTown, 12 Stones and Tantric on the "Make America Rock Again Tour" that will be coming to The Criterion on 10/5/2016.

They hosted Smoklahoma this last weekend. Here is write up on it. I didn't go to event but went to the VIP event the night before. Several of the national brand owners and reps were in town for it. http://okgazette.com/2016/06/08/cigar-enthusiasts-to-crowd-the-criterion-for-smokelahoma/

Here is something super strange.

Currently, there is only one show scheduled at this venue for the entire month of July (Glass Animals on a Monday) and only one in August (Alice Cooper on a Friday).

Only one in September as well, also on a Monday.

So only 3 shows in 3 months and zero on Saturday.

What the heck is going on here?

^^^^^^^
I suspect it is partly because summer bookings are generally done so far in advance, and they were late to the game for this summer.

^^^^

Agreed. Add to that a lot of acts that would be able to play in a place like The Criterion are already playing at the Cain's Ballroom or The Brady Theatre in Tulsa and have a show before or after in Dallas. Cain's has Fitz and The Tantrums, josh Abbott Band, GBV and The Melvins all playing in July and August. The Brady has Garbage, Chevelle, Phillip Phillips, In This Moment, Volbeat and Deftones all playing in the same time frame. I would suspect next summer will be much more active for the Criterion as they will start getting bookings early in 2017.

But remember, they knew they would be opening in the spring a long time ago.

They could have booked these summer months without any fear of not being ready, and done it a year ago or more.

But remember, they knew they would be opening in the spring a long time ago.

They could have booked these summer months without any fear of not being ready, and done it a year ago or more.

Sure, but I would chalk it up to no one knowing who they (The Criterion) were and not having other bookings ahead of them. Also, the plans for the summer of other bands might have already been in the works and playing venues they were familiar with.

There's also the summer festivals that eat up a lot of time for the bands that would typically play here. Regardless, it does seem a little surprising that there is only 1 show booked per month. I could see more shows added closer to the date of as their schedules change.

To be fair, the schedules at the Brady and Cains are very light the next few months as well.

Must be a summer amphitheater and festival thing.

But still. *One* show per month for the next 3 months??

There's also the summer festivals that eat up a lot of time for the bands that would typically play here. Regardless, it does seem a little surprising that there is only 1 show booked per month. I could see more shows added closer to the date of as their schedules change.

Didn't even think of that. The summer is the prime time for outdoor venues. All you have to do is look at the lineup at the Gexa Pavilion in Dallas or even the Zoo here in OKC. It's also a pretty busy time to perform overseas.

I agree with warreng88. It would have been harder for them to book when the building was just coming out of the ground, because they had no rep to live on except for in the Red Dirt/alt country world. That business is all about rep, which they undoubtedly are racking away at this point, and which the owners took very seriously when building artist amenities. Until the building was open, the safest Oklahoma play for a booking agent was without question a place like Cain's or Brady, but that is changing rapidly now.

Also, I'm not sure the Live Nation affiliation was official until well after the place was announced/underway, so they might not have had LN doing bookings until that point. Might be wrong about this and too lazy to check. But yeah, between festivals sucking up much of the talent and the fact that in general most summer bookings happen well in advance, I don't think it is that concerning that the summer schedule is light.

I'm also not sure that Cain's and the Criterion are interchangeable. There's some cross over for sure, but it seems to me Cain's can maybe make it work with anything down to 500 people (and I have been there with less people), but 500 at the Criterion would pretty much be a failure.

However, I don't think they would be killed by half capacity shows. I imagine there is a number at which it makes more sense to have a show than to be dark, but I don't know what that number is. I sort of expected them to start booking some "filler" like tribute bands and specialty acts like House of Blues does. I have no idea what the draw is on those acts, though.

Now, if next summer is light, it is a completely different story. I don't think it will be though. They are establishing a good rep and have a great affiliation with Live Nation that will, no doubt, get better as the venue continues to succeed.

I'm also not sure that Cain's and the Criterion are interchangeable. There's some cross over for sure, but it seems to me Cain's can maybe make it work with anything down to 500 people (and I have been there with less people), but 500 at the Criterion would pretty much be a failure.

However, I don't think they would be killed by half capacity shows. I imagine there is a number at which it makes more sense to have a show than to be dark, but I don't know what that number is. I sort of expected them to start booking some "filler" like tribute bands and specialty acts like House of Blues does. I have no idea what the draw is on those acts, though.
I would think the 500-ish shows would be steered to the Tower Theater. But you're right that Cain's and Criterion are not apples-to-apples comparisons. I think Criterion falls into a spot somewhere between Cain's and Brady, honestly.

That's a good point about the timing of the Live Nation agreement.

Although it seemed to always be part of the plan, it probably wasn't formally inked until this spring, leaving little time to do any real booking.

Just very weird they had a pretty hot start and now the place will just sit there for months with almost nothing going on.

Wasn't there still construction that needed to be done? Maybe they are putting some finishing touches in place during the downtime.

I would think the 500-ish shows would be steered to the Tower Theater. But you're right that Cain's and Criterion are not apples-to-apples comparisons. I think Criterion falls into a spot somewhere between Cain's and Brady, honestly.

Criterion is really more of a peer to Brady.. Brady holds 4200 and Criterion 4000. Brady has history and Criterion has superior set up in my opinion.

I would think the 500-ish shows would be steered to the Tower Theater. But you're right that Cain's and Criterion are not apples-to-apples comparisons. I think Criterion falls into a spot somewhere between Cain's and Brady, honestly.

I agree, but probably more flexible than both in terms of crowd size. It can handle Brady size shows, yet I don't think it would feel that empty with Cain's size shows.

I'm pretty sure Maxwell is playing the Criterion next month as well.

I'm pretty sure Maxwell is playing the Criterion next month as well.

That show is tomorrow night.

Nvm, that show is tomorrow lol.

I am curious if we will see last minute additions like the Chappelle's Show (pun intended).

Criterion is really more of a peer to Brady.. Brady holds 4200 and Criterion 4000. Brady has history and Criterion has superior set up in my opinion.

brady holds 2800 according to their twitter. and i'm really curious as to how many people can actually fit inside criterion in a full, standing room crowd. 3000? i think it's listed at more, but i just can't see more than 3000 fitting into that place.

^ The Criterion's website and Facebook page say 3,500-4,000 and their Twitter says 4,000.

^ The Criterion's website and Facebook page say 3,500-4,000 and their Twitter says 4,000.

i'm curious to see actual attendance numbers and compare them to the shows i've seen there (mmj, sturgill) to get a feel of how much that place holds. i'm usually good about guessing attendance, but since it's a new, unfamiliar venue i'd like some hard numbers to go by.

I bet they can easily get 3,000+ in that venue.

The main floor gets packed then you have big areas under the overhangs on three sides. And the upstairs risers as well.

Now, for all-seated shows that's different but when you have a popular artist, everyone standing, and the desire to pack as close to the stage as possible, you can get a bunch of people on that main floor.

Did anyone go to the Chapelle show? I saw him when he was at Rose State, and he was hilarious. I've always been a huge fan of his, and was just wondering if he had new material.

Did anyone go to the Chapelle show? I saw him when he was at Rose State, and he was hilarious. I've always been a huge fan of his, and was just wondering if he had new material.

Yes... He put on a hilarious, albeit short, set.... Entire show, including the headliner, was one and a half hours.... Dave's set was maybe 45 minutes. Possibly shorter because his DJ took a lot of time between sets to actually bring Dave out on stage.

Saw Ralphie May a couple of nights prior at the Addison Improv and the fat man ran his set right up until the very last second until it was time to start clearing the place out to seat the second show.... Dave was funnier but Ralphie gave a lot more effort.

I saw the second show and Chappelle stayed out much longer than the first one. Like, close to an hour and a half by himself. Show started a bit after 9, opening act did 20-30, some DJ time, but show wasn't over until about 11:30. He was still sharp as hell, but I think the copious booze is what kept him going longer; that and the fact that they weren't needing to turn over the room.

I really wanted to go see Maxwell last night but had a prior engagement. did anyone catch that show?

Porter Robinson announced for Oct 1. Saw him at Lights All Night in Dallas a few years back and he put on a nice set. One of the young up and comers in EDM

Porter and Schoolboy Q, back to back nights here. Going to both!

Yeah that should be a good concert.

I've been kind of disappointed in the concerts there so far. Hopefully they can some day get some of the mid level bands that go on the annual touring circuit.

I was hoping The Criterion would bring in The Jayhawks but they are going to Tulsa instead.

Since this venue is now fully completed, it might be a good time to move the thread to the entertainment area instead since that seems to be the main topic of discussion.

Since this venue is now fully completed, it might be a good time to move the thread to the entertainment area instead since that seems to be the main topic of discussion.+1

Still very nonplussed by the concert options at this venue. Beginning to think the promoters have zero intentions of pushing any boundaries or booking anything interesting.

Anyone going to Jason Isbell/Lucero next month? I'm looking forward to that one.

Anyone going to Jason Isbell/Lucero next month? I'm looking forward to that one.

Yep.... I'm looking forward to seeing Isbell close for Lucero! ;)

I actually really liked Isbell's work with DBT but I haven't followed him as close since they parted ways.... I've seen Lucero about 6 times in the last year.

Still very nonplussed by the concert options at this venue. Beginning to think the promoters have zero intentions of pushing any boundaries or booking anything interesting.

What's "pushing the boundaries" in a 3000 capacity venue?

I thought My Morning Jacket and Sturgill Simpson were interesting shows and not acts that would have been here without this venue or this promoter.

Yep.... I'm looking forward to seeing Isbell close for Lucero! ;)

I actually really liked Isbell's work with DBT but I haven't followed him as close since they parted ways.... I've seen Lucero about 6 times in the last year.

If you are into the type of music Isbell does then you will love him. IMO, he is about the best guy out there right now doing what he does. I'm extremely, extremely pumped for this.

Anyone going to Jason Isbell/Lucero next month? I'm looking forward to that one.

I like Lucero a lot, but haven't been really excited by Isbell's new work, but I may end up going. He's playing BOK two days before, so this is a big show to get for the Criterion.

I like Lucero a lot, but haven't been really excited by Isbell's new work, but I may end up going. He's playing BOK two days before, so this is a big show to get for the Criterion.

Yeah... I almost pulled the trigger on going to the BOK show but don't really like big arena shows. So I was pretty happy when this show was announced.

I'm kind of in the same boat on Isbell... Some of my favorite Drive-By Truckers songs were the ones he sang on but I've not really gotten into his solo stuff..... I am happy with his success... Especially after this fiasco where The Voice (http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6320113/jason-isbell-asked-to-audition-for-the-voice-mockingly-denies-offer)asked him to tryout for their stupid show.... LOL

I'm still thinking that this thread now needs to be moved to the entertainment area instead.

I'm still thinking that this thread now needs to be moved to the entertainment area instead.

Probably better off keeping this thread (as it can serve as a future archive of the construction of the physical building). But I agree it's better to have a separate thread for the actual events the building hosts now.

Wish Seau Jorge would stop by here with his Bowie tribute.

This new thread is devoted only to discussion of entertainment offerings at the Criterion.

Probably better off keeping this thread (as it can serve as a future archive of the construction of the physical building). But I agree it's better to have a separate thread for the actual events the building hosts now.

I think you're correct so here is a new thread in the appropriate area to discuss concerts at this venue.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=42466&p=963549#post963549

Great idea! Now we just need something to talk about. :p

This new thread is devoted only to discussion of entertainment offerings at the Criterion.

Alice Cooper is there tonight, Friday, August 19, 2016, 8:00 pm.

From their Facebook....awesome stage setup. I'm sure a young Alice Cooper would have something to say about the seats setup.
12894

This concert was not handled well. They closed off the sides after selling tickets for those seats. After being told at the door that we needed to go wait in a line to get an 'upgrade' in our seats we waited until minutes before the concert to be given our choice of limited view tickets. When we asked for our money back it took another 45 minutes.

Sucked. Not good for a new place.

This concert was not handled well. They closed off the sides after selling tickets for those seats. After being told at the door that we needed to go wait in a line to get an 'upgrade' in our seats we waited until minutes before the concert to be given our choice of limited view tickets. When we asked for our money back it took another 45 minutes.

Sucked. Not good for a new place.

Glad I saw him with Megadeth in Tulsa many years ago instead of going to see this show and dealing with that. Isn't this the 2nd or 3rd time they've FUBARed a seated setup? Seems like they've slowly figured other things out, but the seating fiascos need to be fixed before they have another seated show.

It sounds like the management of this place is falling on it's face.

I expected this place to have more than two decent shows a month but they barely have two shows a month period.

I sure hope they can shack off this slow and messy start.

Just to add some perspective, I've been to two shows and they've both been amazing experiences.

^^^^^^^
I've been to seven and they have all been overwhelmingly good. Like everybody, I am also anxious to see more bookings, but understand there is a process. I'm still very optimistic.

Just to add some perspective, I've been to two shows and they've both been amazing experiences.

Same here. Enjoyed the My Morning Jacket and Widespread Panic shows very much. Great venue.

I wonder if the Fire Marshall had something to do with it? You missed a good concert.

Bigray in Ok

Really wish the box office was open at least until 6pm. Getting there before 5pm on weekdays is extremely difficult. I guess I will try and get down there when there is an active show and buy tickets to future shows.

I'm all geared up for the Lucero/Jason Isbell show tonight!

Going to make for a rough Tuesday but I survived a Sunday night Lucero show in Dallas a few months back that saw us getting back home after 2 AM.... So I think I'll survive.... lol