Criterion Concert Hall

[BDP]

I think the challenge right now is probably to get booking agents to consider Oklahoma a two-stop state. Meaning they are a limiting factor right off the bat. Once you decide Oklahoma only rates one tour stop, it's pretty easy to see how a booking agent would bet on Tulsa over OKC, since right now Tulsa has such a great record of supporting live music (thanks in part to OKC folks driving up the highway and bolstering their numbers).

And, really, Cain's and the Criterion should not be used in the comparison. They are not the same.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^
How so, other than capacity? Even when you are talking capacity, Criterion can be configured in such a way that a show with 700 or 800 doesn't feel tragic. I think the two rooms very much compete for the same shows.

[Anonymous.]

Apparently Criterion cancelled a Wednesday show last minute.

Per Criterion FB:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tomorrow's "Make America Rock Tour" performance on October 5th has been canceled. Refunds will be issued to all ticket buyers within the next 5 - 10 business days. We apologize for an inconveniences and appreciate your patience

A lot of questions in the comments and even some of the band members who were supposed to perform were notified at the same time while en route to OKC.

[White Peacock]

Apparently Criterion cancelled a Wednesday show last minute.

Per Criterion FB:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tomorrow's "Make America Rock Tour" performance on October 5th has been canceled. Refunds will be issued to all ticket buyers within the next 5 - 10 business days. We apologize for an inconveniences and appreciate your patience

A lot of questions in the comments and even some of the band members who were supposed to perform were notified at the same time while en route to OKC.

That doesn't look good for the venue.

[OSUFan]

It doesn't look good for the venue but we also don't know what went on behind the scenes. Apparently the tour has had issues other places.

[Swake]

And, really, Cain's and the Criterion should not be used in the comparison. They are not the same.

For one thing The Cains has the same number of shows booked this weekend as The Criterion has for the rest of the year.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^
We were discussing the buildings' relative potentials for bookings based on building type, not what they have on the books.

[BDP]

^^^^^^^
How so, other than capacity? Even when you are talking capacity, Criterion can be configured in such a way that a show with 700 or 800 doesn't feel tragic. I think the two rooms very much compete for the same shows.

Capacity for sure. And I agree criterion could do 700-800 and it would be okay. As for the feasibility of that, I just don't know, because I don't know their overhead, etc. As for cains, they frequently do shows even less than that that would be a travesty at the Criterion. There may be some crossover, here and there, but if I had someone who could draw to capacity of Criterion, I'd put them there over Cain's in an either / or situation for sure. Or if I wanted the Tulsa market, I'd put them in the Brady.

[OkieHornet]

flaming lips dec 16.

[GoThunder]

Just announced: Explosions in the Sky - April 29

[BG918]

Just announced: Explosions in the Sky - April 29

I've seen them a couple times they put on a great show!

[Anonymous.]

Man... Only two shows on the schedule through April. Meanwhile Cains in Tulsa has nearly 30 in the same timeframe.

What is it? Familiarity for acts? Costs? Market? I know the Capacity for Criterion is about twice as much as Cains, but with the Mezzanine closed it seems very similar.

I traveled from OKC twice in 2016 to see shows @ Cains. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

[Jeepnokc]

Man... Only two shows on the schedule through April. Meanwhile Cains in Tulsa has nearly 30 in the same timeframe.

What is it? Familiarity for acts? Costs? Market? I know the Capacity for Criterion is about twice as much as Cains, but with the Mezzanine closed it seems very similar.

I traveled from OKC twice in 2016 to see shows @ Cains. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

They have other events scheduled. The Police Athletic League is having their annual Fight Night there January 19, We are hosting the after party at Slaughter's Hall. Went last year and it was a great time but unfortunately will be out of town this year. http://okcfightnight.com/

[Jake]

Cain's was ranked 21st in the world among club sized venues based on ticket sales according to Pollstar.

Seems like they'd have a lot more shows than the majority of similar sized venues. It just stinks how Cain's is so close to OKC.

[dankrutka]

I wish they'd integrated a small bar with live music facing Sheridan into this building so it isn't just dead space 99% of the time. That would actually be a nice amenity for concert nights too.

[Swake]

Man... Only two shows on the schedule through April. Meanwhile Cains in Tulsa has nearly 30 in the same timeframe.

What is it? Familiarity for acts? Costs? Market? I know the Capacity for Criterion is about twice as much as Cains, but with the Mezzanine closed it seems very similar.

I traveled from OKC twice in 2016 to see shows @ Cains. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

Cains is even closed until February 4th for renovations.

http://www.newson6.com/story/3417942...ng-a-new-floor

[bradh]

I wish they'd integrated a small bar with live music facing Sheridan into this building so it isn't just dead space 99% of the time. That would actually be a nice amenity for concert nights too.

Woulda been a great idea, even could have partnered with ACM@UCO

[TheTravellers]

^^^ That would've been a great idea, especially since ACM@UCO's space isn't anything special (although when we saw Lucius there a little while back, they had lots of lumber inside, so maybe they're going to do some enhancements). Might have to check out EITS, was coincidentally just reading an article about them yesterday in an issue of Louder Than War that I bought a few months ago...

[Pete]

Remember the group booking/managing the Criterion is the same one booking for the Tower and absolutely zero has happened there to date.

They also own Wormy Dog and Savings & Loan and I'm sure they have just been overwhelmed.

They still have the booking agreement with Live Nation and I bet once they get their feet we'll start to see a lot more quality acts.

[TheTravellers]

Remember the group booking/managing the Criterion is the same one booking for the Tower and absolutely zero has happened there to date.

They also own Wormy Dog and Savings & Loan and I'm sure they have just been overwhelmed.

They still have the booking agreement with Live Nation and I bet once they get their feet we'll start to see a lot more quality acts.

It's been almost 10 months since the first show (not to mention the year or so before that the bldg was being constructed), how long should it take to "get their feet"?

[HangryHippo]

Remember the group booking/managing the Criterion is the same one booking for the Tower and absolutely zero has happened there to date.

They also own Wormy Dog and Savings & Loan and I'm sure they have just been overwhelmed.

They still have the booking agreement with Live Nation and I bet once they get their feet we'll start to see a lot more quality acts.

When do you think they'll get their feet? This is quite the streak of little to nothing booked and I already hear people out and about talking about what a failure the Criterion is. I'm not yet sure I agree, but they need to do something to stem the tide and get things turned around pretty quickly.

[Pete]

It's been almost 10 months since the first show (not to mention the year or so before that the bldg was being constructed), how long should it take to "get their feet"?

During that 10-month period they also opened Savings & Loan and are attempting to get the Tower up and running.

Not trying to make excuses, just providing a bit of perspective.

[GoThunder]

When do you think they'll get their feet? This is quite the streak of little to nothing booked and I already hear people out and about talking about what a failure the Criterion is. I'm not yet sure I agree, but they need to do something to stem the tide and get things turned around pretty quickly.

I know you said you didn't agree, but who is saying this? Seems like calling the Criterion a failure is extremely short-sighted and presumptive at this point, doesn't it? Restaurants get time to iron out the kinks and get going, and anyone who critiques them prematurely usually gets hounded for it. Besides, many of the acts the Criterion is targeting book their tours months in advance, making it difficult for them to just have 15 shows a month booked right off the bat. Again, not trying to make excuses and not saying the venue will be a wild success, but I think we should give it some more time.

[traxx]

I know you said you didn't agree, but who is saying this? Seems like calling the Criterion a failure is extremely short-sighted and presumptive at this point, doesn't it? Restaurants get time to iron out the kinks and get going, and anyone who critiques them prematurely usually gets hounded for it. Besides, many of the acts the Criterion is targeting book their tours months in advance, making it difficult for them to just have 15 shows a month booked right off the bat. Again, not trying to make excuses and not saying the venue will be a wild success, but I think we should give it some more time.

Yeah, but if a restaurant only served a handful of meals over a 10 month period, they'd be as good as dead. There's a difference between ironing out wrinkles and doing nothing.

[HangryHippo]

I know you said you didn't agree, but who is saying this? Seems like calling the Criterion a failure is extremely short-sighted and presumptive at this point, doesn't it? Restaurants get time to iron out the kinks and get going, and anyone who critiques them prematurely usually gets hounded for it. Besides, many of the acts the Criterion is targeting book their tours months in advance, making it difficult for them to just have 15 shows a month booked right off the bat. Again, not trying to make excuses and not saying the venue will be a wild success, but I think we should give it some more time.

I've just heard a few different groups talking about it from time to time. I overheard a couple of people at a Starbucks talking about how it never has many shows. A group at work was discussing how they thought it must have closed. Whatever is going on, it's bad business.