oh yeah, forgot that's tonight. hmm... maybe i'll go - don't have a ticket yet, though.

saw isbell at bricktown music hall 2 years ago and he was fantastic. that was a last-minute show when the willie nelson show he was opening for at the zoo got canceled the day of.

Great show by Lucero and Isbell & the 400 Unit last night!

Decent crowd for a Monday night show. Small, but vocal, Lucero crowd there and while I'm not real familiar with Isbell's work since the split with Drive By Truckers (I did purchase his album Southeastern last week). Some of his songs with DBT are some of my favorites and he played Decoration Day and Never Gonna Change. So I was pretty happy and would definitely go see him again.

Realized when I got home last night that I have now seen Lucero open for the Drive By Truckers and a former Drive By Trucker.

Isbell also remarked during his set that he really liked The Criterion.

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I echo BBQ's sentiments regarding the show last night. Lucero was good and Isbell was stellar as always. He also talked up the venue on Twitter after the show, saying: "Love the venue. We'll be back!""I don't take these venues for granted. So many hot tiny sticky rooms over the years. I loved them too, but I'm amazed at all this. Truly."

He also talked up the venue on Twitter after the show, saying: "Love the venue. We'll be back!""I don't take these venues for granted. So many hot tiny sticky rooms over the years. I loved them too, but I'm amazed at all this. Truly."

Gotta think positive comments like this from an artist can only help them draw more great bands to the place.

glad i decided to go - great show! the sound was fantastic and crowd was really into it.

isbell said during the show that he really liked the place - a great room for rock-n-roll.

I'm still troubled by the lack of bookings, especially considering we're through the summer now.

Still not that much on the future schedule.

I'm still troubled by the lack of bookings, especially considering we're through the summer now.

Still not that much on the future schedule.


I was looking at concerts to come and check the place out and there are only 7 shows booked through the end of the year? None of them are something I would go to. I've only heard of two of them.

The Brady and Cains have 54 shows through the end of the year, and much better bands as well, including Bob Dylan at The Brady next month.

The Criterion needs someone better to do the bookings.

The concert was amazing last night.

As for the bookings, to me it is concerning but I also have no idea on how the music business works. Most of the acts they have booked thus far have been top notch so I assume (or hope) there is probably a very legit reason why the schedule is a little empty.

I was looking at concerts to come and check the place out and there are only 7 shows booked through the end of the year? None of them are something I would go to. I've only heard of two of them.

The Brady and Cains have 54 shows through the end of the year, and much better bands as well, including Bob Dylan at The Brady next month.

The Criterion needs someone better to do the bookings.

I mean it's a brand new venue. Certainly according to a calendar year and new tours, the gap will be filled in.

I echo BBQ's sentiments regarding the show last night. Lucero was good and Isbell was stellar as always. He also talked up the venue on Twitter after the show, saying: "Love the venue. We'll be back!""I don't take these venues for granted. So many hot tiny sticky rooms over the years. I loved them too, but I'm amazed at all this. Truly."

He may really feel that way about the Criterion and I hope he does. I just still have a distant memory in my mind about going to see a Liza Minnelli concert many years ago when she basically said the same thing about the State Fair Arena. I still chuckle about that. ;)

I figured the shows would pick up as we got into the fall. There have been some solid shows booked, but not with the frequency that i expected. Hopefully 2017 will see a full booking of shows.

I think the challenge right now is probably to get booking agents to consider Oklahoma a two-stop state. Meaning they are a limiting factor right off the bat. Once you decide Oklahoma only rates one tour stop, it's pretty easy to see how a booking agent would bet on Tulsa over OKC, since right now Tulsa has such a great record of supporting live music (thanks in part to OKC folks driving up the highway and bolstering their numbers).

It's a bit of a chicken-or-egg situation; once Criterion has a strong track record of sales, the bookings will come more easily. And, like I suggested above, perhaps booking agents will start considering Oklahoma a two-stop state. That might take a little bit.

i'm sure there's also a lot of okc folks like myself who rarely make the trip to tulsa but would go if the show was in their backyard

An interesting booking of an international star and he's not going to Tulsa.

http://www.troyesivan.com/tour/uscanada

We were included in a 20 city tour of major markets in the US and Canada.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRVpnyPHfmY

Yup I thought this was a good get back when it was booked.. looking forward to it.
did anyone see Head and the heart last night?. .wanted to go to that but had other commitments.

I think the challenge right now is probably to get booking agents to consider Oklahoma a two-stop state. Meaning they are a limiting factor right off the bat. Once you decide Oklahoma only rates one tour stop, it's pretty easy to see how a booking agent would bet on Tulsa over OKC, since right now Tulsa has such a great record of supporting live music (thanks in part to OKC folks driving up the highway and bolstering their numbers).

And, really, Cain's and the Criterion should not be used in the comparison. They are not the same.

^^^^^^^
How so, other than capacity? Even when you are talking capacity, Criterion can be configured in such a way that a show with 700 or 800 doesn't feel tragic. I think the two rooms very much compete for the same shows.

Apparently Criterion cancelled a Wednesday show last minute.

Per Criterion FB:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tomorrow's "Make America Rock Tour" performance on October 5th has been canceled. Refunds will be issued to all ticket buyers within the next 5 - 10 business days. We apologize for an inconveniences and appreciate your patience

A lot of questions in the comments and even some of the band members who were supposed to perform were notified at the same time while en route to OKC.

Apparently Criterion cancelled a Wednesday show last minute.

Per Criterion FB:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tomorrow's "Make America Rock Tour" performance on October 5th has been canceled. Refunds will be issued to all ticket buyers within the next 5 - 10 business days. We apologize for an inconveniences and appreciate your patience

A lot of questions in the comments and even some of the band members who were supposed to perform were notified at the same time while en route to OKC.

That doesn't look good for the venue.

It doesn't look good for the venue but we also don't know what went on behind the scenes. Apparently the tour has had issues other places.

And, really, Cain's and the Criterion should not be used in the comparison. They are not the same.


For one thing The Cains has the same number of shows booked this weekend as The Criterion has for the rest of the year.

^^^^^^
We were discussing the buildings' relative potentials for bookings based on building type, not what they have on the books.

^^^^^^^
How so, other than capacity? Even when you are talking capacity, Criterion can be configured in such a way that a show with 700 or 800 doesn't feel tragic. I think the two rooms very much compete for the same shows.

Capacity for sure. And I agree criterion could do 700-800 and it would be okay. As for the feasibility of that, I just don't know, because I don't know their overhead, etc. As for cains, they frequently do shows even less than that that would be a travesty at the Criterion. There may be some crossover, here and there, but if I had someone who could draw to capacity of Criterion, I'd put them there over Cain's in an either / or situation for sure. Or if I wanted the Tulsa market, I'd put them in the Brady.

flaming lips dec 16.

Just announced: Explosions in the Sky - April 29

Just announced: Explosions in the Sky - April 29

I've seen them a couple times they put on a great show!

Man... Only two shows on the schedule through April. Meanwhile Cains in Tulsa has nearly 30 in the same timeframe.

What is it? Familiarity for acts? Costs? Market? I know the Capacity for Criterion is about twice as much as Cains, but with the Mezzanine closed it seems very similar.

I traveled from OKC twice in 2016 to see shows @ Cains. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

Man... Only two shows on the schedule through April. Meanwhile Cains in Tulsa has nearly 30 in the same timeframe.

What is it? Familiarity for acts? Costs? Market? I know the Capacity for Criterion is about twice as much as Cains, but with the Mezzanine closed it seems very similar.

I traveled from OKC twice in 2016 to see shows @ Cains. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

They have other events scheduled. The Police Athletic League is having their annual Fight Night there January 19, We are hosting the after party at Slaughter's Hall. Went last year and it was a great time but unfortunately will be out of town this year. http://okcfightnight.com/

Cain's was ranked 21st in the world among club sized venues based on ticket sales according to Pollstar.

Seems like they'd have a lot more shows than the majority of similar sized venues. It just stinks how Cain's is so close to OKC.

I wish they'd integrated a small bar with live music facing Sheridan into this building so it isn't just dead space 99% of the time. That would actually be a nice amenity for concert nights too.

Man... Only two shows on the schedule through April. Meanwhile Cains in Tulsa has nearly 30 in the same timeframe.

What is it? Familiarity for acts? Costs? Market? I know the Capacity for Criterion is about twice as much as Cains, but with the Mezzanine closed it seems very similar.

I traveled from OKC twice in 2016 to see shows @ Cains. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

Cains is even closed until February 4th for renovations.

http://www.newson6.com/story/34179425/cains-ballroom-in-tulsa-is-getting-a-new-floor

I wish they'd integrated a small bar with live music facing Sheridan into this building so it isn't just dead space 99% of the time. That would actually be a nice amenity for concert nights too.

Woulda been a great idea, even could have partnered with ACM@UCO

^^^ That would've been a great idea, especially since ACM@UCO's space isn't anything special (although when we saw Lucius there a little while back, they had lots of lumber inside, so maybe they're going to do some enhancements). Might have to check out EITS, was coincidentally just reading an article about them yesterday in an issue of Louder Than War that I bought a few months ago...

Remember the group booking/managing the Criterion is the same one booking for the Tower and absolutely zero has happened there to date.

They also own Wormy Dog and Savings & Loan and I'm sure they have just been overwhelmed.

They still have the booking agreement with Live Nation and I bet once they get their feet we'll start to see a lot more quality acts.

Remember the group booking/managing the Criterion is the same one booking for the Tower and absolutely zero has happened there to date.

They also own Wormy Dog and Savings & Loan and I'm sure they have just been overwhelmed.

They still have the booking agreement with Live Nation and I bet once they get their feet we'll start to see a lot more quality acts.

It's been almost 10 months since the first show (not to mention the year or so before that the bldg was being constructed), how long should it take to "get their feet"?

Remember the group booking/managing the Criterion is the same one booking for the Tower and absolutely zero has happened there to date.

They also own Wormy Dog and Savings & Loan and I'm sure they have just been overwhelmed.

They still have the booking agreement with Live Nation and I bet once they get their feet we'll start to see a lot more quality acts.

When do you think they'll get their feet? This is quite the streak of little to nothing booked and I already hear people out and about talking about what a failure the Criterion is. I'm not yet sure I agree, but they need to do something to stem the tide and get things turned around pretty quickly.

It's been almost 10 months since the first show (not to mention the year or so before that the bldg was being constructed), how long should it take to "get their feet"?

During that 10-month period they also opened Savings & Loan and are attempting to get the Tower up and running.

Not trying to make excuses, just providing a bit of perspective.

When do you think they'll get their feet? This is quite the streak of little to nothing booked and I already hear people out and about talking about what a failure the Criterion is. I'm not yet sure I agree, but they need to do something to stem the tide and get things turned around pretty quickly.
I know you said you didn't agree, but who is saying this? Seems like calling the Criterion a failure is extremely short-sighted and presumptive at this point, doesn't it? Restaurants get time to iron out the kinks and get going, and anyone who critiques them prematurely usually gets hounded for it. Besides, many of the acts the Criterion is targeting book their tours months in advance, making it difficult for them to just have 15 shows a month booked right off the bat. Again, not trying to make excuses and not saying the venue will be a wild success, but I think we should give it some more time.

I know you said you didn't agree, but who is saying this? Seems like calling the Criterion a failure is extremely short-sighted and presumptive at this point, doesn't it? Restaurants get time to iron out the kinks and get going, and anyone who critiques them prematurely usually gets hounded for it. Besides, many of the acts the Criterion is targeting book their tours months in advance, making it difficult for them to just have 15 shows a month booked right off the bat. Again, not trying to make excuses and not saying the venue will be a wild success, but I think we should give it some more time.
Yeah, but if a restaurant only served a handful of meals over a 10 month period, they'd be as good as dead. There's a difference between ironing out wrinkles and doing nothing.

I know you said you didn't agree, but who is saying this? Seems like calling the Criterion a failure is extremely short-sighted and presumptive at this point, doesn't it? Restaurants get time to iron out the kinks and get going, and anyone who critiques them prematurely usually gets hounded for it. Besides, many of the acts the Criterion is targeting book their tours months in advance, making it difficult for them to just have 15 shows a month booked right off the bat. Again, not trying to make excuses and not saying the venue will be a wild success, but I think we should give it some more time.
I've just heard a few different groups talking about it from time to time. I overheard a couple of people at a Starbucks talking about how it never has many shows. A group at work was discussing how they thought it must have closed. Whatever is going on, it's bad business.

Pete, you know the guys behind the Criterion and Tower and Savings & Loan, right? Could you just ask them "Why aren't there very many shows booked at the Criterion?"? Be nice to get it straight from the horse's mouth...

Cain's was ranked 21st in the world among club sized venues based on ticket sales according to Pollstar.

Seems like they'd have a lot more shows than the majority of similar sized venues. It just stinks how Cain's is so close to OKC.

Personally, I'm glad it's so close. I'm not as gaga over the room itself as a lot of people around here are, but they do a good job booking and that's great, imo.

That being said, I see no reason that these two venues can not co-exist 90 minutes apart from each other, unless 1) promoters don't know what they're doing or 2) OKC doesn't come out to shows. Based on the shows that I've been to at the Criterion, it doesn't seem like #2 has been a problem, but maybe they've had some busts that I don't know about.

It seems that this venue has slowed to one event per month. How very odd. I hope it gets better or they quickly sell to someone who can make it better.

Yeah, it's insane how little is being booked there. Tried to get a question in to slackmeyer's chat about it, but he didn't get to it that week and he hasn't had a chat in 2 weeks.

Does anyone have any information on who owns the venue... I was under the impression that Live Nation was in some way involved. Are they still involved? If the answer is yes then that is just doubly-odd.

It's owned by a developer from Colorado, operated by Levelland Productions which in turn has a book relationship with Live Nation.

Levelland also operates Wormy Dog, Savings & Loan and the Tower Theater space.

It's owned by a developer from Colorado, operated by Levelland Productions which in turn has a book relationship with Live Nation.

Levelland also operates Wormy Dog, Savings & Loan and the Tower Theater space.

Wormy Dog has 23 shows scheduled between now and the end of April.
Criterion has 4 shows scheduled between now and the end of April.

Wormy Dog has 23 shows scheduled between now and the end of April.
Criterion has 4 shows scheduled between now and the end of April.

Yeah, but Wormy Dog capacity is around 750. Criterion's is around 3500.

Criterion should have more shows by now for this year, but I don't expect it to be a 2-3 night a week type place any time soon. Even the HOB Dallas supplements the major original acts with cover bands, tribute shows, burlesque shows, etc. to get to that frequency and its listed capacity is much smaller as well (@1000).

The Denver Fillmore is closer in size (3700) and has about 15 shows between now and the end of April. Would all 15 of these sell well in OKC? I honestly don't know:

http://www.fillmoreauditorium.org/events/

About the same for the Chicago Theater (3600). Comedians mixed in as well:

http://www.thechicagotheatre.com/tickets.html

Just a couple off the top of my head around the same size.

Now I am still not sure how much of that 3500 capacity number is really attributable to actual viewing area or if the capacity includes the number of people you could put in there including the lobby area, wings, and mezzanine behind the curtains. Usually that is not included in those numbers, but 2500 has always seemed like a more accurate number to my eye balls, but that can be very deceiving. Either way, I think it'd be good if it was booked 5-6 times a month at around 2500 a show and would put them on par with some venues of similar size in major markets. Does that work for them? Is it feasible / possible given the touring landscape and market demand right now? I have no idea.

Now, imo, the Tower could and should have a much higher booking frequency, because it can put on a show for 600 people and it should work just fine. It's a relatively narrow space with a graded floor and I don't think would feel that empty at half capacity. I've been to Cain's with less people there and had a good time.

The Bomb Factory in Dallas I think Holds 4000 and has 10 shows booked from now till end of April.
even that number would be encouraging for Criterion. hope it picks up!

Silversun Pickups are coming to the Diamond Ballroom on May 4th.

LOVE them so much I may have to venture down there but would have been thrilled to see them at the Criterion instead.

Silversun Pickups are coming to the Diamond Ballroom on May 4th.

LOVE them so much I may have to venture down there but would have been thrilled to see them at the Criterion instead.

Yup that is a GET that criterion needed!.. They are great live. saw them at the Brady a few years ago.

The Denver Fillmore is closer in size (3700) and has about 15 shows between now and the end of April. Would all 15 of these sell well in OKC? I honestly don't know:

http://www.fillmoreauditorium.org/events/

I know Lotus, Skillet, Tech N9ne, Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, Anthrax and Killswitch Engage have all played the Diamond Ballroom the past couple of years.

I would think Sting, The 1975, Juicy J and Big Sean would do well at the Criterion. Don't know who any of the others are.

Silversun Pickups are coming to the Diamond Ballroom on May 4th.

LOVE them so much I may have to venture down there but would have been thrilled to see them at the Criterion instead.

Would have thought shows at the Diamond Ballroom would have went away when Criterion opened. Its depressing having to make that drive to Diamond.

Are the two venues managed by separate groups?

And to be fair, the Diamond only has three shows scheduled between 4/24 and 5/4

Silversun Pickups are coming to the Diamond Ballroom on May 4th.

LOVE them so much I may have to venture down there but would have been thrilled to see them at the Criterion instead.

Well, that's just pathetic that Criterion couldn't/didn't get them, don't like going to the Diamond, nor the inside once I'm there, compared to the Criterion.

...
Now, imo, the Tower could and should have a much higher booking frequency, because it can put on a show for 600 people and it should work just fine. It's a relatively narrow space with a graded floor and I don't think would feel that empty at half capacity. I've been to Cain's with less people there and had a good time.

The Tower kept the graded floor? I thought they would've done what the Will Rogers did and leveled it during the remodel.

The Tower kept the graded floor? I thought they would've done what the Will Rogers did and leveled it during the remodel.

Yes. It has a graded floor and seating in the balcony. If the sound works out (and it should), it will be a nice, intimate place to see a show and a nice set up with the other bars and restaurants around it. Personally, I think Uptown should promote some of their own shows as a district. I bet they'd see a decent return on the increases traffic.

Would have thought shows at the Diamond Ballroom would have went away when Criterion opened. Its depressing having to make that drive to Diamond.

Are the two venues managed by separate groups?

They are. Criterion is Levelland and Diamond is DCF.

Diamond capacity is about 1000, so it's maybe a third the size of the Criterion. So, it's not really directly competing. I would think that Silversun could fill the Criterion, though, but maybe I'm just getting older, ha.

Tower and Diamond are much more comparable in size. The main difference is that the Tower has 23rd street and the Diamond has Little Dick's Halfway Inn. Haha. (well, and the Tower is a much cooler space.)

They are. Criterion is Levelland and Diamond is DCF.

Diamond capacity is about 1000, so it's maybe a third the size of the Criterion. So, it's not really directly competing. I would think that Silversun could fill the Criterion, though, but maybe I'm just getting older, ha.

Tower and Diamond are much more comparable in size. The main difference is that the Tower has 23rd street and the Diamond has Little Dick's Halfway Inn. Haha. (well, and the Tower is a much cooler space.)

Even if the SS Pickups couldn't fill the Criterion completely, wonder how many it would take for it to be worthwhile for them to play there? I know it's incredibly complicated, encompassing ticket prices, percentage of those prices actually going to the band and their assorted support personnel, Criterion support personnel costs, etc., but I know the Criterion has closed off the balcony for some shows, so they have kind of built in the alternative for smaller shows there.

Even if the SS Pickups couldn't fill the Criterion completely, wonder how many it would take for it to be worthwhile for them to play there? I know it's incredibly complicated, encompassing ticket prices, percentage of those prices actually going to the band and their assorted support personnel, Criterion support personnel costs, etc., but I know the Criterion has closed off the balcony for some shows, so they have kind of built in the alternative for smaller shows there.

I agree. I think them doing just main level shows more often would be great. Guess it just depends on overhead.

And sometimes it just comes down to the relationship between the promoter and the agency.