Saw Vampire Weekend here last night. Halfway through their set an extremely loud static noise played for about ten seconds, followed by the cutting of all audio and several staff members running about. The band didn't know what to do and slowly made their way off stage. It was a a sound board that went out and, luckily, they had a replacement. It took about half an hour to switch over and the band resumed, but was told if it happened again they don't have another replacement and would have to cancel the show. Other than a few audio blips, the rest of the show went great, although the band looked uneasy during these blips and were thankful to be able to finish the show. It did not leave a good impression on either the band or the audience.

Saw Vampire Weekend here last night. Halfway through their set an extremely loud static noise played for about ten seconds, followed by the cutting of all audio and several staff members running about. The band didn't know what to do and slowly made their way off stage. It was a a sound board that went out and, luckily, they had a replacement. It took about half an hour to switch over and the band resumed, but was told if it happened again they don't have another replacement and would have to cancel the show. Other than a few audio blips, the rest of the show went great, although the band looked uneasy during these blips and were thankful to be able to finish the show. It did not leave a good impression on either the band or the audience.

Yeah that was a weird deal. I've never seen anything like that before. Amazing that literally no one left.

Yeah that was a weird deal. I've never seen anything like that before. Amazing that literally no one left.

On the plus side those that stuck around (ie 100% of the crowd) were treated to what seemed like an extra-long concert by the band, who appeared to feel bad about the whole thing.

Saw Vampire Weekend here last night. Halfway through their set an extremely loud static noise played for about ten seconds, followed by the cutting of all audio and several staff members running about. The band didn't know what to do and slowly made their way off stage. It was a a sound board that went out and, luckily, they had a replacement. It took about half an hour to switch over and the band resumed, but was told if it happened again they don't have another replacement and would have to cancel the show. Other than a few audio blips, the rest of the show went great, although the band looked uneasy during these blips and were thankful to be able to finish the show. It did not leave a good impression on either the band or the audience.

Though, the band specifically commented on how the OKC crowd made the show great by keeping up the energy despite the audio issues. Their set started at 8:45, there was a 30 minute delay, and they played until 11:45. I would say the band seemed to love the OKC crowd, so I doubt this would keep them from coming back.

Does anyone know if the soundboard is something the band or the venue supplies?

Though, the band specifically commented on how the OKC crowd made the show great by keeping up the energy despite the audio issues. Their set started at 8:45, there was a 30 minute delay, and they played until 11:45. I would say the band seemed to love the OKC crowd, so I doubt this would keep them from coming back.

Does anyone know if the soundboard is something the band or the venue supplies?

I was wondering how Criterion had a replacement, most venues don't have spare sound boards just lying around. Then after talking to my brother, realized it might've been Vampire Weekend's sound board that went out and they brought out Criterion's sound board to replace it.

The sound guy and board at the Jenny Lewis and Dwight Yoakam shows at Jones were the same, so Jones (and others) supplies them if the acts don't have their own. I imagine some bands tour with their own (My Morning Jacket at Criterion waaaay back is a notable one, I think), but some probably just use the venue's.

I wouldn't be surprised if VW toured with a lot of their own stuff. Not the main arrays, but board(s) and some processing, probably. Their are bands smaller than them that do it.

Either way, that was an impressive turn around for basically losing the entire FOH set up. It didn't sound like someone screwed up or anything. They made it sound like it was a system crash. Like everything else, most boards are basically computers now. That was not a pretty sound, though. It is kind of weird that they had a couple of glitches after that, especially if they really did swap out the entire board.

Everything else was pretty good, imo. The two spots I spent most of my time in sounded good and some of the better bar service I've experienced for a sold out show there.

It was their own DigiCo board. I was standing next to the booth, and saw the swap. Everything was in VW crates.

It was their own DigiCo board. I was standing next to the booth, and saw the swap. Everything was in VW crates.

Were you one of the ones helping to supply light to the engineers with your phone? If so, thanks! Ha.

Again, kudos to those guys for pulling that off so quickly and successfully. Obviously, I had no idea what had happened at the time, but when they came back on stage and then went through a full line check, I was thinking, "did they really lose all the set up?"

I've seen shows lose the FOH before, but because of what I assume was a power supply / load problem, and that's what I figured was going on. But I've never seen anyone come back on stage after and have to line check everything like that. It sounds like they really went from an "all is lost" situation to saving 2 more hours of full production within 30 min. Maybe it's not as big of a deal as I think it is to switch that out 45 min into the set, but, based on my limited understanding, that sounds like a nightmare and they pulled it off.

Cool heads prevailed for sure and super cool the crowd waited it out and was rewarded for doing so. Everyone that was there will definitely remember that sound we heard when it all went wrong and the show they put on after it was all put back right...

more stuff slowly being added to their calendar:

http://www.criterionokc.com/calendar/

Saw Lana del rey just added

Anyone know why Dimitri Martin at the Criterion on October 26 got cancelled?

more stuff slowly being added to their calendar:

http://www.criterionokc.com/calendar/

Saw Lana del rey just added

And in 4 minutes, her show's sold out. Was kind of expecting this, she's played huge arenas and festivals, Criterion's too small for her. :doh: Guarantees a sell-out and a s***load of money for the owners/bookers, though, so yay for them, I guess. Sucks for OKC folks though, because her last show at Dallas a few years ago was f-ed up and she cancelled literally minutes before going onstage, and now can't even get tickets for her. Guess I'll try again later and see if any credit cards were declined and tix get freed up.

too bad they didn't book two (or more) dates for her. Most other cities do this particularly when the venue is small(er) and/or the act is very popular.

Hope it is a success and she not only returns but spreads the word so other big acts wont hesitate to come to OKC. ... OMG, OKC nightlife is really getting exciting, and critical mass! (Is Bchris still in OKC?)

too bad they didn't book two (or more) dates for her. Most other cities do this particularly when the venue is small(er) and/or the act is very popular.

Hope it is a success and she not only returns but spreads the word so other big acts wont hesitate to come to OKC. ... OMG, OKC nightlife is really getting exciting, and critical mass! (Is Bchris still in OKC?)

This date was one of a few added on to the end of her tour, so there wasn't any way they could've done more than one date. She should've been booked at Chesapeake with maybe the 300 level curtained off, they had nothing at all for a few days before and after that date. Ours is not to question the whys and wherefores of booking...

Going to be an amazing experience for the 3,000 people who did manage to get tickets though, much better than if she had performed at Chesapeake with the upper deck curtained off. Hopefully there weren't too many tickets that got gobbled up by scalpers...

Going to be an amazing experience for the 3,000 people who did manage to get tickets though, much better than if she had performed at Chesapeake with the upper deck curtained off. Hopefully there weren't too many tickets that got gobbled up by scalpers...

I'm guessing a huge amount of tickets went to scalpers, stubhub's got tons. And maybe the show will be amazing, but it could also be substandard like Flying Lotus's show at the Tower - his background screen at other places was about 4 times the size of the one at the Tower and the 3D effects suffered mightily because of it and was a huge disappointment (music was still great, though). I've seen some video of her current stage show and hopefully she can adapt it to the smaller stage, who knows how it'll turn out...

Interesting trend for Criterion - smaller audiences for shows. Brother went to Explosions in the Sky and they had both the balcony and the first floor under the balcony overhang curtained off, he estimated about 300-400 as the crowd. Friend went to Dinosaur Jr/Kurt Vile on Friday, same thing, maybe 400-500 in the crowd. I went to Angel Olsen last night, same thing, bartender said 600 tickets were sold. So all could fit at the Tower, Diamond, maybe Jones Assembly (I don't know offhand what the capacity is for them), but maybe they were all booked, so they had to do the Criterion. I didn't really mind 'cos Angel's stage set looked like it wouldn't fit anywhere except Criterion, and it was kind of nice not having it be completely full, so my 5'2" wife could actually see (when the full Criterion's open, we try to get first row on some part of the balcony).

So anyway, I've learned that even though someone may be booked at the Criterion, doesn't mean they're getting 2000-3000 folks...

How was that Angel Olsen show? I almost went to that but ended up opting for the sketch comedy show at Speakeasy that was closed out with a set by one of my favorite local bands.

Figured that the Criterion was having trouble selling tickets to that + the Kurt Vile/Dinosaur Jr show given that they were selling a "two-day pass" which got you into both shows for $45.

How was that Angel Olsen show? I almost went to that but ended up opting for the sketch comedy show at Speakeasy that was closed out with a set by one of my favorite local bands.

Figured that the Criterion was having trouble selling tickets to that + the Kurt Vile/Dinosaur Jr show given that they were selling a "two-day pass" which got you into both shows for $45.

Ha, didn't know about the 2-day passes, would've liked to go to both, but Angel's tix were on sale first (way back in May) and I had to do a 10-hour shift Sun morn starting at 6, so really couldn't do both *and* work and still be sane.

Anyway, Angel was incredible, band was super-tight, had a regular band plus a violin and cello players and a guy off to the side she didn't introduce, but may've been doing gadget/mixing-type stuff (even though they had the regular soundboard setup). Pretty decent stage banter, plus fantastic songs/playing and her voice, man...

Opener Vagabon was pretty good too, nice to like both bands on a bill, doesn't happen for us often (moreso now than in the past few years, though).

Incubus just put on a heck of a set, and this is a band who would never come here before the Criterion opened!

Knitting Factory is doing more in their brief time running it than the original promoters did in 2 years.

Great show last night!

Going to be an amazing experience for the 3,000 people who did manage to get tickets though, much better than if she had performed at Chesapeake with the upper deck curtained off. Hopefully there weren't too many tickets that got gobbled up by scalpers...

So I was checking for tix on Sunday afternoon for Lana Del Rey, my brother said they sometimes release tickets the afternoon of the show, but no dice. Went to stubhub and she's not worth $100/ticket, but Nashville had $27 tickets, turns out she played at an almost 10,000 seat capacity theatre, not sure if it sold out or not, but that begs the question again, of why she was booked at a 3000-capacity place here and tickets were gone in literally less than a minute.

So I was checking for tix on Sunday afternoon for Lana Del Rey, my brother said they sometimes release tickets the afternoon of the show, but no dice. Went to stubhub and she's not worth $100/ticket, but Nashville had $27 tickets, turns out she played at an almost 10,000 seat capacity theatre, not sure if it sold out or not, but that begs the question again, of why she was booked at a 3000-capacity place here and tickets were gone in literally less than a minute.

I wonder how fast she sold out in Wichita. She went to a smaller venue there than the Criterion.

I wonder how fast she sold out in Wichita. She went to a smaller venue there than the Criterion.

Interesting, that's even weirder, guess Live Nation took what they could get.

Interesting, that's even weirder, guess Live Nation took what they could get.

I believe I read this tour for here was going to be a more intimate show, and it was all in smaller venues than the big arenas she is used to playing in.

I believe I read this tour for here was going to be a more intimate show, and it was all in smaller venues than the big arenas she is used to playing in.

First leg was 4000 - 20,000 capacity places
Second leg was 1500 - 5000 capacity places, with 2 outliers - 10,000 and 17,000 capacity
(I was on a boring conference call, so decided to do something useful with my time)

No clue as to the strategy behind where she played. Oh well, maybe third time's a charm and I can see her when she's less popular if she decides to come here again.

I will eat my words that I posted earlier in the thread about the LDR show being an amazing experience for the people who managed to get tickets, as from what I've read elsewhere, it was apparently a very claustrophobic environment and a fairly inattentive crowd. Not sure if there's anyone here who went and can provide more insight.

https://oklahomacity.eventful.com/events/lana-del-rey-/E0-001-131379051-9

Rezz is playing tonight. Not in the regular 'get' for OKC. Should be a fun concert. I recommend going to her show tonight if you have even the slightest interest in her music. It is a fun experience.

I will eat my words that I posted earlier in the thread about the LDR show being an amazing experience for the people who managed to get tickets, as from what I've read elsewhere, it was apparently a very claustrophobic environment and a fairly inattentive crowd. Not sure if there's anyone here who went and can provide more insight.

Not a surprise about an inattentive crowd, but have never heard "claustrophobic" applied to a Criterion show before, do you know why it was called that?

Not a surprise about an inattentive crowd, but have never heard "claustrophobic" applied to a Criterion show before, do you know why it was called that?I wasn't at that show, and haven't been there in a while, but the low ceiling near the main bar and the general crowd acoustics makes the place feel claustrophobic to me.

Went to Rezz last night. She performed a great show. It was actually my first time at Criterion. Our group stood downstairs near the main bar. The lines weren't bad at all, but maybe a significant portion of the crowd was under 21 or not drinking.

The acoustics were okay. Not great, but not bad either. Comparing it to Stereo Live in Dallas, I would say the stage is better, layout is better, sound worse, overall crowd is better.

It was fun. One of the monitors was either broke or damaged on stage-right toward the end, it was clipping really bad with heavy bass. The venue itself was great. Mixed drinks are still a ripoff unless the bartender hooks you up, pathetically weak pours. I stick to beer there to get a sure-thing.

... Mixed drinks are still a ripoff unless the bartender hooks you up, pathetically weak pours. I stick to beer there to get a sure-thing.

Wondering how this can be - the cups they use are see-through, the liquor supposedly hasn't been watered down in the bottle they pour from, so if you can see him pouring the (supposedly) full-strength liquor from the bottle, how can it be pathetically weak if you know how much is supposed to go in? Do they just not pour as much as you think should be in there (in which case I'd "correct" the bartender) or do you think the liquor's watered down or .....?

I order double Crown-and-Cokes there and I see them pour an appropriate amount of Crown into the cup on the ice, then they squirt in the Coke, never been weak for me (I've also seen them crack open a new bottle of Crown before my eyes and pour it in the cup, and isn't it against the law to water down liquor and pour it back in the bottle?), and I've probably had dozens there over the time I've been going. The drinks are kind of expensive ($14, I think, for mine), but what do you expect with a captive audience?

Yes, from my experience and others I know - the mixed drinks there are always on the weaker side. I do not think this is malicious from management or illegally altered bottles, but rather staff who is lazy/untrained/doesn't care.

Yes, from my experience and others I know - the mixed drinks there are always on the weaker side. I do not think this is malicious from management or illegally altered bottles, but rather staff who is lazy/untrained/doesn't care.

Hmm, OK, well, the Criterion's on par with the same drink I get at the Tower (had many of them from each place and had it at other venues too and it's always been the same everywhere, Tower tends to put more ice in, though), and if either place poured short, I'd certainly notice (since they're in clear cups) and call them out on it. But maybe not everybody watches them pouring the drinks as closely as I do. I'd put some kind of emoji here, but can't because that's still broken and I don't know the keyboard shortcuts - Pete, are emojis going to come back?

Just announced Dillon Francis & Yung Gravy on April 2nd. Part of their "Sugar, Spice and Everything Ice" Tour.

Here's an interesting article about a new promotion group booking for the Criterion, Tower Theatre, and Beer City Music Hall. I guess Knitting Factory won't be involved anymore? The person leading this new group used to work for Knitting Factory, and another person involved is Chad Whitehead from the Tower.

https://www.pollstar.com/article/patchwork-presents-veteran-talent-buyer-dave-poe-and-ineffable-music-team-up-143239

Here's an interesting article about a new promotion group booking for the Criterion, Tower Theatre, and Beer City Music Hall. I guess Knitting Factory won't be involved anymore? The person leading this new group used to work for Knitting Factory, and another person involved is Chad Whitehead from the Tower.

https://www.pollstar.com/article/patchwork-presents-veteran-talent-buyer-dave-poe-and-ineffable-music-team-up-143239

Interesting that Criterion was in the 200 Theater Venues last year at 151. It was not ranked at all the year before.

Only other OK theater in top 200 is WinStar.

Interesting that Criterion was in the 200 Theater Venues last year at 151. It was not ranked at all the year before.

Only other OK theater in top 200 is WinStar.

Curious as to what this ranking represents and what the criteria is to be considered for this list?

Curious as to what this ranking represents and what the criteria is to be considered for this list?

Looks like gross ticket sales, nothing more.

Big Gigantic on March 28th. Wow!

There is also a Subsonix show that same night (Liquid Stranger) at the Farmers Market. This will likely hurt turnout to both as the fans overlap, hopefully people show out big!

OKC is really stepping up in general. Love this.

Big Gigantic on March 28th. Wow!

There is also a Subsonix show that same night (Liquid Stranger) at the Farmers Market. This will likely hurt turnout to both as the fans overlap, hopefully people show out big!

OKC is really stepping up in general. Love this.

Louis the Child was also announced today on 4/25

Looks like gross ticket sales, nothing more.

Yep, which, in turn, reflects the increase in activity at the venue last year.

I'm surprised, given that it's an international list and by some of the theaters that ranked below it.

Criterion just announced on social media they'll start resuming live shows in August, with all types of new precautions, including a max of 75% capacity.

I don't think there's really a way to do indoor concerts safely... even if they required masks, which I'm sure they won't. COVID-19 needs to be the era of outdoor concerts at Scissortail Park, the Zoo Amphitheater, etc.

Here's what their FB post says:

1. All events will be sold at a 75% capacity to ensure safe distancing measures for concerned guests.

2. Hand sanitizer will be available and readily available throughout the facility.

3. We will have increased and enhanced cleaning measures of the facility before, during and after all concerts and events.

4. We will offer a “masks-only” section in the balcony.

We're not going to a show there for the foreseeable future.

I don't think there's really a way to do indoor concerts safely... even if they required masks, which I'm sure they won't. COVID-19 needs to be the era of outdoor concerts at Scissortail Park, the Zoo Amphitheater, etc.

Their release states that "We will offer a “masks-only” section in the balcony." which seems like they're at least trying, but sounds about as effective as a non-smoking section in the middle of a cigar bar

It’s honestly absurd not to require masks for everyone during all their concerts. Yeah, no one likes it, but these are super spreading events waiting to happen... and it will spread to people who did not attend the concert. If you don’t want to wear a mask then you shouldn’t be at an indoor concert.

If I was them, I would be working on partnerships for outdoor concerts. Maybe even in the parking lot next to them.

The Criterion has not paid their property taxes in three years and owes over a quarter of a million dollars.

After 3 years of being delinquent, the county has the right to see the property via a sheriff's sale. The deadline for this occurrence has to be fast approaching.


I have heard they have been behind on their mortgage for a long time as well, i.e. well before Covid-19.

PSA: Pay your taxes people!

Yeah I had heard that a Sheriff's sale was very likely in like February. Have to imagine it's coming soon.

I lost no sleep when the Bricktown Event Center was no more but losing the Criterion sucks. I’ve been to over a dozen concerts here and it will leave a big live music void for OKC especially for the 16-30 year old crowd. Sure it wasn’t run the best but they got some pretty good lower tier acts. I bet someone would step up to operate a concert venue but not likely until recovery from the Covid economic blow.

It feels like this venue was getting a decent footing and then suddenly a pandemic wiped pretty much the entire live entertainment industry. It is really a shame, but at least the thing is built and will definitely be used in the future once the pandemic is "over". It is probably OKC's most legit modern venue.

It feels like this venue was getting a decent footing and then suddenly a pandemic wiped pretty much the entire live entertainment industry. It is really a shame, but at least the thing is built and will definitely be used in the future once the pandemic is "over". It is probably OKC's most legit modern venue.

I agree with you. My only real complaints about the venue were the ehhh speakers and and the fact that they couldn't keep the power on consistently during EDM concerts haha. There's something to be said about them being delinquent for 3 years though.

I agree with you. My only real complaints about the venue were the ehhh speakers and and the fact that they couldn't keep the power on consistently during EDM concerts haha. There's something to be said about them being delinquent for 3 years though.

Sad to hear about, but not surprised. They've been kind of mismanaged during their entire existence, up until just before the pandemic, when things changed mgmt/booker-wise, so maybe someone new that can do better will pick it up if it's auctioned (but I doubt it, we seem to have a lack of really good bookers in this city, with the Tower crew being an exception).

How much did local government give this venue via TIF?

How much did local government give this venue via TIF?

$450K.

And remember, the big argument for TIF is that increased property tax due to the new development pay for the incentives in the long term.

Doesn't work very well when those taxes are never paid.

lol, oops

They just announced a show on 11/7?

They just announced a show on 11/7?

Yep... I saw that too.