Criterion Concert Hall

[midtownokcer]

I might be wrong, but don't arenas have to bid for concerts/shows? If so, I'm guessing BOK puts in a more lucrative and better deal for the artist/bookers and don't bother to book OKC unless there's a 2nd leg of the tour (see Justin Timberlake and Pink). It still doesn't excuse the lack of shows we get here, though. First world problems, but I'm sick of having to make that drive up to Tulsa and back when we have the venue and market for these types of shows.

For those of you who remember when the Ford Center/Chesapeake Arena first opened in 2002, it killed it with the concert schedule. I can think of Britney Spears (who was on the level of Beyonce/Gaga at the time), Rolling Stones, Cher, The Eagles, Paul McCartney coming to OKC all within a few months of opening. It was one of the Top 10 arenas in ticket sales for concerts that year. However, that all changed once the BOK Center opened, which also happened to be around the same time the Thunder came to OKC.

As far as The Criterion goes, it's an excellent venue. I've been to so many wonderful shows with acts I never thought I'd see in OKC such as the xx, Disclosure, and Glass Animals. I just wish it was booked more consistently like Cain's.

[Pete]

^

But both Chesapeake and BOK are both managed by SMG who would be doing the bidding.

SMG also manages the Cox Center and has been awarded the contract to manage OKC's new convention center.

[kukblue1]

Keep in mind the BOK center is slightly bigger and I think better built for concerts. Plus OKC is close enough to Dallas where if the artist books Dallas and Tulsa and even Wichita Ks they can bypass OKC cause they might think that the people that really want to go see those acts will drive under 3 hours to go. Tulsa can draw in crowds from Nw Ark, Sw Missouri, Ne Texas.

[Uptowner]

I went to the show last night. Got an e-mail or FB notice from Criterion that they were starting Mastodon at 7:50 instead of 8, which I didn't even see until after the show. Had a tough time getting my tab at the place we had beers before, so we were already getting in line shortly after 8 (Mastodon already playing). I'm not that cranky about it, even though I was mostly there to see Mastodon, because I'd just seen them a few months ago at Diamond and was feeling pretty laid back overall. But after I realized that I missed All Them Witches (a really great hard blues/stoner rock band from Nashville) entirely I was bummed. The ticket said show started at 8. So they had already played, stage had been reset and Mastodon already on before the published time on the ticket.

As far as the show was concerned, Mastodon was absolutely incredible, as they've been every time I've seen them. Just an absolutely scorching set. Like I said, I was there for them mostly. But Primus was also really, really excellent. And LOUD.

No, nono, no. The opening act was supposed to go on at 8. Not either headliner. So when they moved up the opening act to 7 without a minutes notice. Mastodon went on at least, if not more, than an hour early. So by the time I got there, which should have been plenty of time to see mastodon, they were done. It’s amateur and inexcusable. I was so upset I left Primus and booked tickets for south side rock club in Dallas tomorrow night.

I put in a request to live nation for a refund. And I suggest everyone else does too. At this point I’m praying for leveland to fold and a decent promoter, hopefully one that can organize shows through north Texas, to take over.

[Urbanized]

...I... ...booked tickets for south side rock club in Dallas tomorrow night...

About 20 minutes ago I discovered they are playing in Austin on Friday night. I'm leaving tomorrow morning on a ULI peer city trip to Austin and will be there Friday night. Legitimately considering skipping the social outing part of the ULI thing and going to Mastodon. Love this band so much.

[BDK]

Nothing really to add that you guys haven't already covered.

We got there around 7:30, which I had assumed would have been enough time to grab a drink and get a decent spot for All Them Witches. Instead, we only caught ATW's last song.

I feel for anyone who missed Mastodon. They're a blast. (Could have done without the dude making a pit of one for 3/4s the show, though.) Primus was awesome, too. I really like the Criterion as a venue. The promoters just keep pulling out all the stops on general incompetence.

[TheTravellers]

I'm not on FB or Twitter, but has anybody contacted Mastodon, Primus, and All Them Witches to see what their take is? Not sure if the Criterion ever gave an acceptable explanation for it (which I don't think there really is, but I could be wrong. Cancellation due to something horrible or weird is excusable, maybe, but not starting early), but it'd be interesting to see excuses/stories/explanations from everybody...

[Pete]

From https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps:

[TheTravellers]

Gee, that's so what I want one of our newest, best concert halls used for.... Oh well, as long as it brings in the $$$ and keeps it solvent until Levelland hopefully goes bankrupt and/or is kicked out of the Criterion and we can get a better operator and move on to bigger, better things.

[Colbafone]

Gee, that's so what I want one of our newest, best concert halls used for.... Oh well, as long as it brings in the $$$ and keeps it solvent until Levelland hopefully goes bankrupt and/or is kicked out of the Criterion and we can get a better operator and move on to bigger, better things.

Hey now, NXT is awesome. NXT is a niche thing and only performs in small venues. I was dying to go last night but wasn't able to make it, and I think it's awesome that it was held at The Criterion.

[TheTravellers]

Hey now, NXT is awesome. NXT is a niche thing and only performs in small venues. I was dying to go last night but wasn't able to make it, and I think it's awesome that it was held at The Criterion.

To each their own, I don't do any sports at all except for being in the room sometimes when the wife watches Thunder games (at least she doesn't want to listen and lets me play music during them ). Like I said, as long as it keeps it open until we get a decent promoter/operator and can get better concerts there (so pathetic that there are only 2 music shows scheduled there for the rest of the year).

[HOT ROD]

ya, seems like the Chevy would have been a better downtown venue for NXT.

[bluedogok]

Even in the 70's and 80's when it was The Myriad and the Lloyd Noble Center hosting a bunch of concerts most tours alternated between OKC/Norman and Tulsa. Rush when they were touring constantly would play in OKC on one tour and Tulsa the next. Of course the tickets for those shows were typically around $12.00 to $15.00.

[mugofbeer]

Even in the 70's and 80's when it was The Myriad and the Lloyd Noble Center hosting a bunch of concerts most tours alternated between OKC/Norman and Tulsa. Rush when they were touring constantly would play in OKC on one tour and Tulsa the next. Of course the tickets for those shows were typically around $12.00 to $15.00.

How I miss those days.

[OkieHornet]

Just announced: Buckcherry W/ Killer Strut, Saturday July 21st 2018

One step forward, two steps back...

[jonny d]

Just announced: Buckcherry W/ Killer Strut, Saturday July 21st 2018

One step forward, two steps back...

So because it isn't your type of music, it is a bad thing they are coming? It will sell well, so there is that.

[OkieHornet]

So because it isn't your type of music, it is a bad thing they are coming? It will sell well, so there is that.

Not a bad thing they're coming, because I couldn't care less about who likes what band and if their tastes align with mine... to each their own. It's just odd that it's at the Criterion. Will it really sell well there? They seem more of a Diamond Ballroom-level kind of band. The Criterion has just had some top-level bands come (and to come) in David Byrne and Arctic Monkeys, which both sold out. I've seen some shows at the Criterion with a few hundred people there and it had a very empty feel to it.

[PhiAlpha]

Not a bad thing they're coming, because I couldn't care less about who likes what band and if their tastes align with mine... to each their own. It's just odd that it's at the Criterion. Will it really sell well there? They seem more of a Diamond Ballroom-level kind of band. The Criterion has just had some top-level bands come (and to come) in David Byrne and Arctic Monkeys, which both sold out. I've seen some shows at the Criterion with a few hundred people there and it had a very empty feel to it.

You realize that a venue and it's crowd isn't restricted to one or two genre's of music, right? Some bands will sell better than others and the Criterion has been built to handle both large and smaller crowds. I think it's great that this show is coming to the Criterion instead of the Diamond Ballroom, just one more show that's in the core and not in the middle of an industrial area.

[Jake]

I'm just glad they're getting anybody to play, honestly.

[PhiAlpha]

I'm just glad they're getting anybody to play, honestly.

Yep

[OkieHornet]

You realize that a venue and it's crowd isn't restricted to one or two genre's of music, right? Some bands will sell better than others and the Criterion has been built to handle both large and smaller crowds. I think it's great that this show is coming to the Criterion instead of the Diamond Ballroom, just one more show that's in the core and not in the middle of an industrial area.

Yes, I 100% realize a venue can host whoever it wants to, and the Criterion certainly does, which is great. Did I offend you? Sorry if I did, wasn't trying to step on anybody's toes. I didn't realize there were a whole lot of Buckcherry fans in this city. Maybe I'm wrong about my perception of where this show should be. I also don't listen to KATT, so I'm not sure of the popularity of this band, other than didn't they have a hit or two back in the late 90s / early 00s?

I guess I should spell out what i actually meant - is this a show that will fill the Criterion? Even the lower level? I don't care who the band is - if they announced someone like John Moreland (who I like) I would've said the same thing. It just doesn't seem like a smart venue choice. Playing at the Diamond Ballroom or Tower Theatre, to me, makes more sense if you're wanting to fill the space with this band. Maybe my perception is wrong about Buckcherry - can you enlighten me to their popularity these days?

[Roger S]

I guess I should spell out what i actually meant - is this a show that will fill the Criterion? Even the lower level? I don't care who the band is - if they announced someone like John Moreland (who I like) I would've said the same thing. It just doesn't seem like a smart venue choice. Playing at the Diamond Ballroom or Tower Theatre, to me, makes more sense if you're wanting to fill the space with this band. Maybe my perception is wrong about Buckcherry - can you enlighten me to their popularity these days?

Based on Moreland selling out The Tower. I feel certain he could do very well filling The Criterion. Maybe not sell it out but it wouldn't be empty by any means.

[OkieHornet]

Based on Moreland selling out The Tower. I feel certain he could do very well filling The Criterion. Maybe not sell it out but it wouldn't be empty by any means.

How did his show with Deer Tick at the Diamond Ballroom last month sell, though?

OK, maybe I should go a different route... let's try Reverend Horton Heat at the Criterion. Would that makes sense? He could maybe fill the Diamond Ballroom and had about 3-400 at the Tower Theatre earlier this year. To me, that's how i equate Buckcherry - an older act that had a little bit of radio airplay back in the day, but not much now. Buckcherry fans, please correct me if I'm wrong!

One thing i did find funny when it was announced was that Levelland announced it as Buck Cherry on social media.

[Roger S]

How did his show with Deer Tick at the Diamond Ballroom last month sell, though?

I had other commitments and couldn't attend that show. So don't know the numbers but I know he has a good following here.

[OkieHornet]

I had other commitments and couldn't attend that show. So don't know the numbers but I know he has a good following here.

You are correct he has a good following here since he's sort of a local, which would skew the numbers upwards at an OKC/Tulsa show.