Music means different things to different people. Anyone who travels around the United States will find that the people of different states often have very different ideas about how culture, and music, in particular, should be appreciated. The following music venues all encapsulate a different attitude and philosophy towards the experience of live music. Next time you and your family find yourself traveling the US, should the opportunity present itself, be sure to pay one of these venues a visit.
Severance Hall, Cleveland
Severance Hall in Cleveland is regarded by many as being the most beautiful concert hall in the United States. You only need to spend a short amount of time there to understand what all the fuss is about. Not only does the hall offer an incredible experience architecturally, but it is so well crafted acoustically that it’s hard not to find oneself in awe of the achievement.
Originally opened in 1931, Severance Hall underwent a major restoration in the year 2000, which not only bought back the beauty and majesty of the original structure, but it subtly enhanced it in a number of ways. The foyer alone is a work of art, with soaring columns that dominate the space.
Schubas, Chicago
Regarded as one of the best music venues in Chicago, a city that knows its stuff in this regard, Schubas has been in operation for a little over 20 years now. In that time, it has been instrumental (get it?) in launching the careers of a number of major acts, including My Morning Jacket, Dave Matthews, and Feist. It is a small venue, in fact, it’s little more than a tavern once you get down to it. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in quality.
Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn is the first and original Brooklyn Bowl, but the venue has now gone international. There are several Brooklyn Bowls in the USA, including one in Las Vegas which is, well, everything you would expect of a music venue in Vegas.
The setup of the Brooklyn Bowl in Manhattan isn’t to everyone’s tastes. The venue combines a restaurant, a music venue, and a bowling alley into a single package. The Bowl made headlines earlier in the year when Coran Capshaw, the legendary yet enigmatic owner of Red Light Management purchased a minority stake in the venue. If you’re looking for a venue that’s a little different to the rest, this is a fine choice.
The United States has produced many of the biggest and most influential artists in the history of music. It is, therefore, only fitting that we should also host some of the world’s most impressive music venues. The three venues above aren’t necessarily the places to go to see the biggest names, but they are the places to go if you want to understand the experience of live music, according to different corners of American society. If you get the opportunity to check any of these venues out, make sure to do so.
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