Criterion Concert Hall

[dankrutka]

Funny, I was born in ‘67 and I’m incredibly conversant with the key artists and genre shifts of the ‘50s, 60s and early 70s. Good music is good music, and you’ll get better appreciation for the stuff that you love if you know where it came from.

I do think part of the problem here can be explained by the shift from radio to Internet-based listening. I personally like to explore and the Internet provides an incredible opportunity to discover new artists and new music (or at least new to you). But unlike radio it also allows you to completely wall yourself off from music you’re not interested in (or at least THINK you wouldn’t be interested in).

Artists like Talking Heads - while they became huge and mainstream during their own era - were not as exposed to the masses AFTER their prime in the same way that sixties era artists were. Meaning when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s I was exposed to classic rock era bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors - or even lesser-celebrated bands like Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Guess Who, Rare Earth, etc - whether I chose to be or not (I chose to be). If you listened to radio to hear the latest from Van Halen, you were also going to hear those bands.

I think eighties era bands probably suffer from the listening public’s ability to limit their own music exposure. It’s a shame, because that was also a pretty special time for music.

To be fair, I grew up on the radio in the '90s and I was exposed to a lot of bands. Again, I feel fairly well versed in a lot of music. Just not the Talking Heads. Having said that, maybe it's partly because I never really got into the punk scene. I explored most major 60s and 70s acts and grew up on 90s groups, but I never got into 80s music to the same degree. I've never been much for hair bands or punk. But, again, my larger point is that my friends and I constantly talked about music, went to lots of concerts, shared groups we liked from all eras from middle school through college, and I can't ever remember someone mentioning the Talking Heads. It's an interesting disconnect. I've certainly found this thread informative and I'll certainly review the links and suggestions provided.

[shawnw]

Back to Critereon for a sec... they must be raking in the venue rental fees at least, there was a Herbalife convention in the venue this weekend and they packed the place (and the nearby springhill). I happened to be that way getting tours of the Steelyard floorplans and saw the swarms leaving with their "I heart Herbalife" stickers and other various swag.

[Urbanized]

To be fair, I grew up on the radio in the '90s and I was exposed to a lot of bands. Again, I feel fairly well versed in a lot of music. Just not the Talking Heads. Having said that, maybe it's partly because I never really got into the punk scene. I explored most major 60s and 70s acts and grew up on 90s groups, but I never got into 80s music to the same degree. I've never been much for hair bands or punk. But, again, my larger point is that my friends and I constantly talked about music, went to lots of concerts, shared groups we liked from all eras from middle school through college, and I can't ever remember someone mentioning the Talking Heads. It's an interesting disconnect. I've certainly found this thread informative and I'll certainly review the links and suggestions provided.

Yeah I was talking with someone about this owing to this discussion, and it occurred to us that many people who were listening to "alternative" radio in the 90s were getting something very different than the New Wave and alternative of the 80s. Meaning it was generally a mixture of yes, bands like Nirvana and Alice in Chains, but mixed with bands like Creed, Bush, Filter, whatever. If you were listening to alternative in the 80s and before Grunge broke is was way more free-form and so alongside bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2 and REM you would also hear bands like Talking Heads, New Order, Erasure, 10,000 Maniacs and even acts like Lou Reed, Bowie, Kinks, Sade. It was much less homogeneous. Then money got in the way. And at least around here - ESPECIALLY around here I think - you had to choose between country, classic rock, or 95X style "alternative" which ignored everything that led up to that moment. So I get why people in OKC are light on this genre.

[Urbanized]

He wrote another interesting book about his travels and biking through different cities around the world, "Bicycle Diaries." Im sure many on this board would find it a good read as it talks about design, architecture and life in different places around the world.

I knew nothing about this until I visited NYC for the first time in 2010. I was staying in Midtown Manhattan and the streets around my hotel were surprisingly dead on the weekend. Since I couldn't grab coffee from a cart on Saturday I walked a few blocks to a Starbucks. So I'm walking down a pretty quiet Madison Avenue (if I recall) and I see a guy riding toward me on an upright bicycle with a basket on the front. And I'm thinking "man, that guy looks like David Byrne..." and then as he gets closer I'm thinking "uhh...he REALLY looks like David Byrne..." and then as he rides past I realize "THAT IS TOTALLY DAVID BYRNE." So I pulled out my phone and searched and found out that he is a huge cycling advocate, rides his bike pretty much everywhere (and has since the late 70s or early 80s), had recently written that book, and had also very recently personally commissioned artist-designed bike racks in NYC. It was a pretty cool celebrity sighting, and a very NYC one at that.

[Urbanized]

I'm sorry but I am not familiar with the term" tier one type stops". Looking at the first four shows I see Red Bank, NJ, Wilkes Barre, PA, Buffalo NY, and Hershey PA. To further claim that this is the most impressive concert booking in years in OKC, is somewhat of an overstatement with a bevy of posters saying "Who?". Again not downplaying the talent but c'mon now, no solo albums in 14 years and no touring in eight? Was Jerry Harrison not available ? Heck at least I know he is.

The fact that he almost never tours is part of what makes this a rare booking. An artist going out on the road like that for the first time in a long while usually bypasses OKC, especially since we have little established history with shows like that one. Again, it's not a taste thing, when I say it is one of the most impressive bookings here I mean that it is a very unlikely booking for OKC. Dropkick Murphy's apparently NEVER pass up a chance to play here, at least in the last few years. Not a tough get for the Diamond by any means, apparently.

[bradh]

I was born in 79 and my favorite music influencer is Buddy Holly lol

[Jersey Boss]

The fact that he almost never tours is part of what makes this a rare booking. An artist going out on the road like that for the first time in a long while usually bypasses OKC, especially since we have little established history with shows like that one. Again, it's not a taste thing, when I say it is one of the most impressive bookings here I mean that it is a very unlikely booking for OKC. Dropkick Murphy's apparently NEVER pass up a chance to play here, at least in the last few years. Not a tough get for the Diamond by any means, apparently.

Gotcha. I think we were talking past each other, but I get what you are saying.

[kukblue1]

Saw The Revolution there last night. First time in there for a concert. Other time was for Darci Lynne show. I thought the sound was great. Not a bad venue for concerts. So why is it they only have a couple events every month? You would think there would be something going on every weekend there? Is it not even a dance club on weekends?

[Pete]

Saw The Revolution there last night. First time in there for a concert. Other time was for Darci Lynne show. I thought the sound was great. Not a bad venue for concerts. So why is it they only have a couple events every month? You would think there would be something going on every weekend there? Is it not even a dance club on weekends?

Because the owner / operators have no money which is required to stage these shows.

Honestly, I'm surprised Live Nation hasn't pulled it's deal with them.

[kukblue1]

I was wondering about that also. Why isn't Live Nation putting acts there? How are they still in business with 3 events a month? No wonder mixed drink was $8 and a water was $4

[Pete]

I was wondering about that also. Why isn't Live Nation putting acts there? How are they still in business with 3 events a month?

Because the owner / promoter has to come up with a lot of money up front, and these people don't have it.

I've heard they are way behind on their mortgage payments.

[kukblue1]

Because the owner / promoter has to come up with a lot of money up front, and these people don't have it.

I've heard they are way behind on their mortgage payments.

So build it and they will come isn't always true.

[pw405]

Because the owner / promoter has to come up with a lot of money up front, and these people don't have it.

I've heard they are way behind on their mortgage payments.

Oh lord.... assuming this doesn't get remedied, I really hope we aren't in a situation where this has to sit vacant for months/years on end while in auction/tied up in bankruptcy. I mean, I don't really have much personal preference, just gives a bad image if one of the newest music venues in central OKC closes so soon after opening.

[Pete]

Given their absurdly low booking rate, I don't think we have much to lose at this point.

[Laramie]

Oh lord.... assuming this doesn't get remedied, I really hope we aren't in a situation where this has to sit vacant for months/years on end while in auction/tied up in bankruptcy. I mean, I don't really have much personal preference, just gives a bad image if one of the newest music venues in central OKC closes so soon after opening.

The Criterion Concert Hall was a risk from the start. Think about all the venues available in OKC like Civic Center Music Hall; not to mention the Chevy Bricktown Events Center's massive renovation (with paved parking), The Diamond and the new Jones Assembly--OKC's market is over saturated.

The CC Hall venue could be re-purposed with the 39,000 sq. ft. you have to work with--the place does have potential; how about a comedy club with tables, dining & seats?

It was never going to compete with an established & reputable venue like Cain's in Tulsa. You also have the various casinos like Grand's (Shawnee) and Winstar (Thackerville) with their own concert venues--why not enjoy a little gambling along with entertainment.

[BDP]

It was never going to compete with an established & reputable venue like Cain's in Tulsa.

Oh, I think it could, but even then it's a little big to be compared to Cain's. Either way, management always matters and it seems they overreached on this one.

The Tower Theater and Jones assembly are probably more positioned in the same circuit as Cain's and they're both doing a pretty good job. The Tower seems to be smart about cash flowing it with other events that don't keep it dark until a concert booking and I think the Jones Assembly has done very well given that their model from the beginning is to only do 2-3 main stage shows a month, at most. Like everyone else, I was hoping that the Criterion would fill a concert void in the city, and the state, really, but I haven't really been missing it with the additions of the Tower and Jones.

[TheTravellers]

The Criterion Concert Hall was a risk from the start. Think about all the venues available in OKC like Civic Center Music Hall; not to mention the Chevy Bricktown Events Center's massive renovation (with paved parking), The Diamond and the new Jones Assembly--OKC's market is over saturated.

...

Not really. All of those are completely different types of venues, and they all have different types of audiences, capacities, and types of shows going to each one (for the most part). BTW, if you're claiming OKC's market is over-saturated, you forgot the Tower.

[gopokes88]

It does sorta feel like the competition for the entertainment/alcohol/food dollar is becoming incredibly high.

The criterion seems to interested in hitting 2-3 home runs a month and hope it works. Whereas the Jones and Tower get home runs but also singles and doubles by staying busy the other nights.

[TheTravellers]

It does sorta feel like the competition for the entertainment/alcohol/food dollar is becoming incredibly high.

The criterion seems to interested in hitting 2-3 home runs a month and hope it works. Whereas the Jones and Tower get home runs but also singles and doubles by staying busy the other nights.

TBH, I don't think the Criterion is interested in anything at this point except staying in business. As Pete said, they're out of money, so they just can't get any big acts on a regular basis, and it probably won't change until Levelland gets their crappy a** out of the Criterion and somebody with deeper pockets/connections comes in (which we all hope happens instead of it just sitting there empty).

[kukblue1]

Wow just checked Tower's website. They have a lot of events going on. 2-3 a week in May. Nothing I would be interested but at least they get people in the door. I kind of would again with the over saturation of the music scene. Bricktown event center sits empty most of the time. You could even do concerts at the cox center also for those kind of name brand acts but where chesapeake is too big but other venues too small.

[HOT ROD]

OKC is definitely NOT saturated. Maybe is closer to the number of venues it should have but is not anywhere close to saturated for events.

Now, if OKC had multiple acts, multiple nights in a row at Tower, Criterion, Chevy Bricktown, Blue Garten, the Diamond, Jones, Uptown Theatre, Chesapeake, Cox, State Fair Norick, Civic Center, Zoo Ampitheatre, Yale, Myriad Gardens, and Frontier City (in addition to Lloyd Noble, Rose State, and other metro area venues) - then I'd say OKC would be saturated.

Today OKC isn't even meeting demand of its market but it surely is much better than years past. One thing's for sure, OKC surely does have a nice diversity of venues with room for a few more.

[soonerguru]

Just returned from a magical weekend in Tulsa seeing Beach House at the Cain’s. Unbelievable show with a great crowd. Meanwhile, Cain’s has about a dozen shows announced in the next few months I would consider attending. Criterion has one or two. Skip the mindless boosterism. It’s not doing our city any good. Our concert scene is a joke compared to Tulsa. Hoping for change and willing to buy tickets. Since I’m not a millionaire who can change anything that’s all I can do.

[Urbanized]

Nobody has said Criterion is doing a good job, a few bright spots such as David Byrne and The XX notwithstanding. But as a whole the NON-ARENA scene in OKC is currently at least the equal of Tulsa’s, this is a fact. Nearly every act worth caring about which has played Cain’s or Brady in the past couple of years has now played or is on the books at one of OKC’s venues (example: the just-announced Father John Misty at Jones Assembly).

I was astounded recently when I went and broke this down for myself, knowing who has played where in the past few years. I need to find the time to cut and paste the comparisons, but it is inarguable once you see it side by side. I didn’t believe it myself until I did the comparison.

The only place where Tulsa is currently emphatically beating our scene is in arena shows, and it’s not even close there. For that I blame the Thunder’s vise-like arena control.

[BDK]

See all you "glass half full" types tonight at the Criteron for Primus/Mastodon (i.e., another great show not making it up to Tulsa).

[jonny d]

See all you "glass half full" types tonight at the Criteron for Primus/Mastodon (i.e., another great show not making it up to Tulsa).

Those bands are too mainstream for the people on here (the Father John Misty types). I have nothing whatsoever against those types of bands (indie-ish). Just not my cup of tea. If I were not travelling for work, I would be front row for Mastadon!