Criterion Concert Hall

[sooner88]

It seems like the shows they have booked so far have been so varied that they should appeal to all age groups. From Gregg Allman/Rick Springfield to bands that have been around since the 90s (Third Eye Blind, Widespread Panic, Deftones, etc.) all the way to brand new bands. I think they've done a great job so far.

[Pete]

Okay, seriously? Lol. Deftones is not in the same category as all these other names I've never heard one iota about.... I'd say I'm old and the other two posters are young.

I'm older than you and know almost all the acts they've booked.

[bradh]

Man I haven't listed to Deftones since junior year of HS

[Urbanized]

I'm older than you and know almost all the acts they've booked.

Yeah same here. These acts are hardly unknowns, obscure or youth-oriented acts. I would say the average age for all of the shows, aggregated, will probably be in the mid-30s. If you haven't heard of them it probably just means your tastes run a little more mainstream - not that there's anything wrong with that - or heavily in a genre that has yet to be booked much there, i.e. commercially-oriented country, metal or classic rock.

There are tons of, for instance, jazz acts, hip hop acts and country artists that I'm not really familiar with, but that doesn't meant that they don't have huge fan bases or that they are somehow lesser acts, just because I'M not a fan. And if I were being dismissive of those acts just because I'm not familiar with them, I'm sorry, it would come off as pretty arrogant and closed-minded.

The hole this building is filling in the market is for shows that are going to bring great crowds but that can't justify an arena. If you're looking mostly for the type of acts that CAN fill an arena, you're right; this building (mostly) isn't going to have a lot of shows you're interested in. But occasionally they will probably book one that you are super excited about and weren't going to see, otherwise.

Meanwhile, a huge section of the population that is tired of and stifled by the same-old same-old Eagles, Elton John, Keith Urban routine finally has a place that is booking shows THEY like. Believe it or not, diversity of entertainment options is actually a GOOD thing.

[John Knight]

It is amazing that they have their first show next Saturday (3/26). Surely there will still be a few things unfinished right (i.e. sidewalks, landscaping, etc...)?

[Pete]

I went by there late last night and there were a bunch of people in there working.

[John Knight]

That's awesome! It'a crazy how fast things can get finished sometimes.

[OSUFan]

Okay, seriously? Lol. Deftones is not in the same category as all these other names I've never heard one iota about.... I'd say I'm old and the other two posters are young.

Dead serious and I didn't mean it as some kind of slam. I'm just saying these are well known acts. If you haven't even heard of most of these bands then I doubt there are going to be a lot of shows that come through that would interest you.

[Pete]

Marquee is up and there are about 100 guys working there today:

[Andrew4OU]

It is amazing that they have their first show next Saturday (3/26). Surely there will still be a few things unfinished right (i.e. sidewalks, landscaping, etc...)?

Super excited about it. I'm going to that show and will hopefully have a positive report back after the show. Good to see you on here, John! #COYS

[jccouger]

The marquee & sign look a lot cheaper than I imagined. Has a dated feel which I guess fits in with the district. The building itself looks great though.

Also, just want to point out Urbanized's post was great. There hasn't been a single show I've been interested in but I love the diversity & the niche it is feeding. Sooner or later there will be shows I want to go to & that is good enough for me. Heck, I'm kind of glad I don't want to go to that many shows or I'd go broke.

[elitespy]

Yeah, I like the diversity of shows being booked. There are only two shows that have my interest (Disclosure and the Taste of Chaos show). I had to google a few of the bands because I've never heard of em, not a bad thing just not my cup of tea. Can't wait to see what else is in store for the future.

[sooner88]

Like has been said, diversity is good... They're dipping into different pockets instead of the same group over and over.

[HangryHippo]

The marquee & sign look a lot cheaper than I imagined.

I like the sign but that marquee looks pretty cheap. I hope that's not the complete end product.

[Pete]

I wouldn't judge the signage just yet.

[ourulz2000]

I like the sign but that marquee looks pretty cheap. I hope that's not the complete end product.

I don't think it looks cheap, just the wrong font if they are going for the old school look.

[Pete]

This is not the finished product.

[Urbanized]

Thanks for the kind words, jccougar. I will also say that taking a chance on emerging artists is never a bad thing. I have caught a bunch of artists at MUCH smaller shows - some of them artists who I wasn't familiar with - and they ended up knocking my socks off and/or turning into much bigger acts. There will be a lot of bands going through this place who you WILL have heard of in another year or two. My all-time favorite last-minute small show decision was maybe a decade ago when I was working in my old office overlooking the Bricktown canal, when I heard a loud sound check going on, right on the other side of the brick wall behind my desk. That was when there were regular shows happening upstairs in what is now the Jim Brewer Building.

So, I fired up OklahomaRock.com - Oklahoma music news, concerts, bands and more to see who was in town and was pleased to see the band was someone who I had heard of and had a bit of interest in (even though I didn't know their music well), so when showtime came around, I closed the office, went around to the venue entrance on the other side of the building, was waved in by Brent Brewer, walked upstairs and - along with about 75 other people - proceeded to have my face rocked the **** off by The Black Keys. I think most everybody knows THAT band these days. Some of the best concert experiences you'll ever have is when you are watching hungry bands on the upswing, as opposed to the jaded rock stars who sell out arenas.

[Eddie1]

Thanks for the kind words, jccougar. I will also say that taking a chance on emerging artists is never a bad thing. I have caught a bunch of artists at MUCH smaller shows - some of them artists who I wasn't familiar with - and they ended up knocking my socks off and/or turning into much bigger acts. There will be a lot of bands going through this place who you WILL have heard of in another year or two. My all-time favorite last-minute small show decision was maybe a decade ago when I was working in my old office overlooking the Bricktown canal, when I heard a loud sound check going on, right on the other side of the brick wall behind my desk. That was when there were regular shows happening upstairs in what is now the Jim Brewer Building.

So, I fired up OklahomaRock.com - Oklahoma music news, concerts, bands and more to see who was in town and was pleased to see the band was someone who I had heard of and had a bit of interest in (even though I didn't know their music well), so when showtime came around, I closed the office, went around to the venue entrance on the other side of the building, was waved in by Brent Brewer, walked upstairs and - along with about 75 other people - proceeded to have my face rocked the **** off by The Black Keys. I think most everybody knows THAT band these days. Some of the best concert experiences you'll ever have is when you are watching hungry bands on the upswing, as opposed to the jaded rock stars who sell out arenas.

That's a cool story ^ I would have loved to have seen U2 in 1978, Nirvana circa 1990, Interpol around 2000, and so on...

[Urbanized]

I've seen all three, but not during those nascent years, unfortunately. U2 in 1992 (with Frittergirl!) and 2009, Nirvana in 1993, and Interpol in 2005 and 2011.

The Nirvana and Interpol shows still would have fit inside The Criterion, though. The Nirvana show was the biggest of the three and probably still was sub-5K. It's hard to believe, really. As big as Nirvana was they were still never really an arena act.

[Eddie1]

I bet that '92 show with U2 was so exciting...touring, imo, the finest rock album ever made. Awesome Acting Baby.

[OkieHornet]

Thanks for the kind words, jccougar. I will also say that taking a chance on emerging artists is never a bad thing. I have caught a bunch of artists at MUCH smaller shows - some of them artists who I wasn't familiar with - and they ended up knocking my socks off and/or turning into much bigger acts. There will be a lot of bands going through this place who you WILL have heard of in another year or two. My all-time favorite last-minute small show decision was maybe a decade ago when I was working in my old office overlooking the Bricktown canal, when I heard a loud sound check going on, right on the other side of the brick wall behind my desk. That was when there were regular shows happening upstairs in what is now the Jim Brewer Building.

So, I fired up OklahomaRock.com - Oklahoma music news, concerts, bands and more to see who was in town and was pleased to see the band was someone who I had heard of and had a bit of interest in (even though I didn't know their music well), so when showtime came around, I closed the office, went around to the venue entrance on the other side of the building, was waved in by Brent Brewer, walked upstairs and - along with about 75 other people - proceeded to have my face rocked the **** off by The Black Keys. I think most everybody knows THAT band these days. Some of the best concert experiences you'll ever have is when you are watching hungry bands on the upswing, as opposed to the jaded rock stars who sell out arenas.

i was at that black keys show... dr. dog opened. i was also at the black keys show at the green door in bricktown a year or so earlier. i think they're best when they're in a small venue.

[Urbanized]

Just added: Grace Potter, April 30. I've seen her a couple of times and she's great. Honestly would love to see her play/tour with Gregg Allman.

[Paseofreak]

First show they've booked that I WILL go see. Not that all the other shows won't be great, but further evidence of my increasing irrelevance.

[sooner88]

Just added: Grace Potter, April 30. I've seen her a couple of times and she's great. Honestly would love to see her play/tour with Gregg Allman.

Potter/Allman with a little Tedeschi Trucks??