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went to a concert at the bomb factory in dallas last month and this looks very similar to that setup, which was actually pretty great.

went to a concert at the bomb factory in dallas last month and this looks very similar to that setup, which was actually pretty great.

I think Bomb Factory is a bit larger but very similar set up. lots of midsize venues seem to be going this style. it makes for a great show experience in my opinion.

I dunno, I think those columns will for sure impede views. I'm not sure how they couldn't if somebody was behind them. The good thing is though there will only be GA or VIP/Balcony seating, so you won't be forced to be stuck behind them.

Well, yeah, but they're not on the main floor. They're off to the side. It's not like the Bricktown Music Hall where they're in the middle of the floor. Basically, if these polls are blocking your view, you should probably just stop standing off to the side behind a poll.

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So there will be balcony seating on an incline. That's good to see. Makes the mezzanine seating much more viable, imo.

This is going to be badass!

I think Bomb Factory is a bit larger but very similar set up. lots of midsize venues seem to be going this style. it makes for a great show experience in my opinion.

Bomb Factory was the first thing to come mind when I saw this rendering. I saw a show there in May and it was a great experience.

I think this will be one of those things that ends up way cooler than the renderings make it seem. Its designed to feel kind of ole'd timey but all the the fixtures & equipment is going to be super modern & classy. I'm expecting the production capabilities to be outstanding, and with shows these days that is one of 2 of the most important factors. The other of which is the shows they book & that seems to be taken care of.

I think this will be one of those things that ends up way cooler than the renderings make it seem. Its designed to feel kind of ole'd timey but all the the fixtures & equipment is going to be super modern & classy. I'm expecting the production capabilities to be outstanding, and with shows these days that is one of 2 of the most important factors. The other of which is the shows they book & that seems to be taken care of.

Agree!


I think Bomb Factory is a bit larger but very similar set up. lots of midsize venues seem to be going this style. it makes for a great show experience in my opinion.

The Bomb Factory in Dallas has a capacity of 4300. Our Criterion Hall will be comparable in size with accommodations for 4200.

Dallas, Denver, Kansas City & Tulsa's proximity should allow us to siphon off some of these shows to venture into OKC (strategic positioned) once we get this magnificent hall completed; not sure what kind of circuit these shows are booked, however, this venue will gives us game...

http://journalrecord.com/files/2015/02/mf-tif-300x159.jpg

So when this opens, will it be the end of the Diamond Ballroom?

Doubtful. Diamond is owned by DCF. It will still get plenty of shows.

Doubtful. Diamond is owned by DCF. It will still get plenty of shows.

Considering it's out in the middle of nowhere and their operating costs are close to nothing, I'm sure they'll get enough shows to stay open. But I highly doubt DCF and their trashcan is going to be able to compete with LiveNation with a brand new venue in the heart of OKC's top entertainment district.

So when this opens, will it be the end of the Diamond Ballroom?

Diamond will always make money if they continue to book good metal shows. Metal fans will always show up, and they will buy merch from the artists too.

Considering it's out in the middle of nowhere and their operating costs are close to nothing, I'm sure they'll get enough shows to stay open. But I highly doubt DCF and their trashcan is going to be able to compete with LiveNation with a brand new venue in the heart of OKC's top entertainment district.

Where did I suggest it was going to compete? I just said that it probably "wouldn't be the end of..."

DCF will also be sending shows to the Chevy Bricktown Events Center, which IS a competitive facility, though DCF will surely be playing second banana to LN/Levelland.

From their Facebook page:

11629 11630 11631 11632

Just across the street directly East today, they poured a large foundation for whatever is going in there. This is just South of the Steelyard.

Edit - It is the Springhill Suites Hotel

Diamond will always make money if they continue to book good metal shows. Metal fans will always show up, and they will buy merch from the artists too.

I'm hoping that the Criterion will attract all the metal shows I have to drive to Dallas' House of Blues to see.

Yes, 3 big projects right next to each other and soon to be 5 when the AC and Hyatt Place get going after the first of the year.

I'm hoping that the Criterion will attract all the metal shows I have to drive to Dallas' House of Blues to see.

It would be nice if having this venue and a promoter like LiveNation and bringing these types of shows to OKC leads to an alternative radio station here. A lot of popular bands people drive to Dallas or to Tulsa to see have no presence on OKC radio.

You must not have been here for 95X

You must not have been here for 95X

No, I wasn't. When I lived here in the 90s, the station was 94.7 Soft Rock KQSR (decent station). OKC had two alternative stations again in the 2000s but hasn't had any since the Buzz became the Brew in 2009. Given the current popularity of the format it surprises me nobody has given it another try.

Did OKC get better shows during the 95X era? I am wondering if there is a correlation between the shows that come to town and the radio stations.

Well, we have the spy, though that may not be the alternative you're looking for.

That was my thought ^, I think the Spy is one of the best "alternative" stations in the country.

Agreed, I'm pretty much always listening to it. But I get that it's not necessarily what some have in mind when they think alternative station.

The Spy is fantastic, but a little too focused on pop and female singers (both of which I like a lot) to be true "alternative", just not wide-ranging enough.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion111515.jpg

cheap paneling/walls?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion121315a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion121315b.jpg

The DT OKC Builds twitter posted today that brick is going up.

The DT OKC Builds twitter posted today that brick is going up.

https://twitter.com/_Bricktown/status/677179990568394753

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWXRTdQUkAAmhDd.jpg

When I took that photo on Sunday, it was pretty cool to look inside and see the upper deck and get a feel for the size and layout.

This is going to be awesome.

They will be announcing their first bookings a week from today; pretty exciting stuff:

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At first I thought you were saying their first show was a week from today I was like, uhhhhhhhh....

Anyway I was down there yesterday and I think it's a little bit ridiculous that the hotel is smaller than the concert venue. Why bother building that hotel so small? (or is it not actually small but the criterion is just that huge?)

At first I thought you were saying their first show was a week from today I was like, uhhhhhhhh....

Anyway I was down there yesterday and I think it's a little bit ridiculous that the hotel is smaller than the concert venue. Why bother building that hotel so small? (or is it not actually small but the criterion is just that huge?)

The hotel is just now working on floor two of five, so it will go up three more floors. Also, the Criterion is huge.

Oh okay, it sorta looked like it had topped out so I was like what, that's it?

I think there's a correction needed to the Information section above. Says capacity of 4,200 is same as Brady Theater. Looks like Brady is only 2,500-2,800. Wikipedia says 4,200, but I can't find correct citation. Tulsa World article (http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/flaming-lips-to-play-make-up-shows-at-brady-theater/article_3b71362a-02f4-5694-a0e8-d52a98b3d75b.html]Flaming Lips to play make-up shows at Brady Theater - Tulsa World: Scene) from 2011 says average capacity is about 2,500, and if you Google search "brady theater capacity" the Brady website's snippet text says capacity is 2,800.

So basically, this place is 70% bigger than the Brady Theater.

I think there's a correction needed to the Information section above. Says capacity of 4,200 is same as Brady Theater. Looks like Brady is only 2,500-2,800. Wikipedia says 4,200, but I can't find correct citation. Tulsa World article (http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/flaming-lips-to-play-make-up-shows-at-brady-theater/article_3b71362a-02f4-5694-a0e8-d52a98b3d75b.html]Flaming Lips to play make-up shows at Brady Theater - Tulsa World: Scene) from 2011 says average capacity is about 2,500, and if you Google search "brady theater capacity" the Brady website's snippet text says capacity is 2,800.

So basically, this place is 70% bigger than the Brady Theater.

It'd be interesting to know how much of the capacity is on the mezzanine. It looks like maybe a 2-3k show could play there and it not feel empty if they just ticketed for the floor. That would be ideal, imo, so they could pack it for 4k seaters, but also have shows around half that size and it still feels full.

My guess for the first show is Ben Rector on March 26. If you look on his website, it shows an OKC show on that date with a "TBA" venue.

http://www.benrectormusic.com/tour

My guess for the first show is Ben Rector on March 26. If you look on his website, it shows an OKC show on that date with a "TBA" venue.

Shows | Ben Rector (http://www.benrectormusic.com/tour)

Ben Rector is the man.

On January 11, both The Criterion and Rocklahoma will be announcing their lineups. I am curious if that was just by chance or design. Maybe some bands are playing both?

My guess for the first show is Ben Rector on March 26. If you look on his website, it shows an OKC show on that date with a "TBA" venue.

Shows | Ben Rector (http://www.benrectormusic.com/tour)

Probably a good guess for one of the first concerts. I would think the Criterion would be way too big for him, but based on the other venues that's right in line. I saw him at the Sooner Theatre in 2011 and he put on a great show.

^^^^^^
Smaller crowd would be good for a shakedown cruise.

My guess for the first show is Ben Rector on March 26. If you look on his website, it shows an OKC show on that date with a "TBA" venue.

Shows | Ben Rector (http://www.benrectormusic.com/tour)

Good find. Now, you got two more to try and flesh out. : )

I actually tried it with looking at live nation and pollstar, but they don't list the venue yet.

We'll know all 3 shows by Monday.

I was hoping for some big and exciting names but I'm sure they are going to start somewhat slowly and build from there.

We'll know all 3 shows by Monday.

I was hoping for some big and exciting names but I'm sure they are going to start somewhat slowly and build from there.

I was thinking the same thing. But unless they have private shows or a sort of soft opening beforehand, it makes sense to start smaller and work their way up.

We'll know all 3 shows by Monday.

But that's too long!

I'm just kidding. I'll probably go to at least one no matter how much I like (or don't like) them.

Yeah, I'm so curious about the venue, setup and acoustics I will probably go to something early on just for the experience.

We'll know all 3 shows by Monday.

I was hoping for some big and exciting names but I'm sure they are going to start somewhat slowly and build from there.

I'm sure that they will want to start a little slower to work out the kinks in the way that a restaurant would. I definitely wouldn't blame them if they go that route.

My guess for the first show is Ben Rector on March 26. If you look on his website, it shows an OKC show on that date with a "TBA" venue.

Shows | Ben Rector (http://www.benrectormusic.com/tour)

Oooh I might go to that if it actually ends up being him.

Is there a comparably-sized venue in Dallas or KC? Everything in OKC or Tulsa is either quite a bit smaller (<~2,600 at Cain's, Brady, Chevy, Diamond) or significantly larger (10k+ at Zoo Amp, CHK, BOK).

Is there a comparably-sized venue in Dallas or KC? Everything in OKC or Tulsa is either quite a bit smaller (<~2,600 at Cain's, Brady, Chevy, Diamond) or significantly larger (10k+ at Zoo Amp, CHK, BOK).

Brady Theatre is 4,200 in Tulsa.

Bomb Factory is 4,300 in Dallas.

Crossroads is ~3,000 (outdoors) and Midland Theatre is 3,500 in KC.

Brady Theatre is 4,200 in Tulsa.

Bomb Factory is 4,300 in Dallas.

Crossroads is ~3,000 (outdoors) and Midland Theatre is 3,500 in KC.

brady theater is 2800, per their twitter.

brady theater is 2800, per their twitter.

That was off of Wikipedia. Looks like it was originally 4,200 then reduced to 2,800 after a renovation ~10 years ago.

Uptown theater in Kansas City (which is a stunner - saw My Morning Jacket there a few years ago) is 1700. The Granada in Dallas is more comparable with the Tower Theater at around 1K.

My guess for the first show is Ben Rector on March 26. If you look on his website, it shows an OKC show on that date with a "TBA" venue.

Shows | Ben Rector (http://www.benrectormusic.com/tour)

And it's official.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYc3pgBU0AE9J8E.png:large

I believe this is a smart decision for the first show, as Ben Rector has solid ties to Oklahoma and has a large and dedicated enough fan base to sell out the show and who hopefully won't mind if the folks at the Criterion haven't completely dialed in the sound. Time for me to start lobbying for them to bring in Jason Isbell and My Morning Jacket.

Can we still expect two more shows to be announced today?

Listened to Ben Rector's latest. Guess he's gotta open with "Brand New", right?