5 of the Best Independent Music Venues to See Shows
Audio Ink Radio is naming five of our favorite independent music venues to see live entertainment and go local. – Author: Anne Erickson, Powerman 5000 photo from Audio Ink Radio
The music industry is filled with large venues that are owned and run by big corporations, and there’s certainly a place in the musical landscape for those spots. The biggest shows demand a certain level of capitol investment, and that makes it impossible for smaller operations to deal with those kinds of shows.
But, there’s something magical about a small, independent music venue that’s truly the heart of its community. It’s comforting to have these small, independent music venues where going to shows almost feels like a little chapter from the past.
Small, independent venues are such an important part of the music industry, and many of them are still thriving across the country. In honor, Audio Ink Radio is naming five of our favorite independent music venues in the United States.
Top Independent Music Venues
The Complex
Located in downtown Salt Lake City, The Complex is an independent venue that brings in big names. Some of their upcoming concerts include The Architects, The Arcadia Strain, Goldfinger, Neon Trees and Blessthefall with Miss May I. It’s one of the top spots to see live music in Salt Lake City and is fully independent, which is a beautiful thing.
The Grog Shop
The Grog Shop is a famed small venue in Cleveland Heights and offers every genre of live music imaginable. It’s refreshing to have a spot that hosts such a range of music, including punk, hip-hop, reggae and alternative rock, among other genres. The venue also brings in both national touring acts and local artists. Located in Cleveland, Grog Shop is a big part of the city’s local music scene.
The Machine Shop
Even those who haven’t been to The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan, have probably seen some band members wearing Machine Shop gear, because the venue is legendary. The Shop has been hosting rock, metal and outlaw country music since 2002 and is stronger than ever. Shows there regularly sell out, including Powerman 5000 and El Nino, which took place on Wednesday, July 23, at the venue and is pictured above. Upcoming shows include Shaman’s Harvest, Plush, Earshot, Dorothy and No Resolve, to name a handful.
The Nick
Those who rock out in Birmingham, Alabama, know all about The Nick. The place, called “Birmingham’s Little Secret,” has been a local favorite for decades. The Nick was actually once a convenience store, and now, it’s an intimate venue that welcomes a range of bands, as well as theme nights. Looking at their upcoming shows, they have karaoke nights, metal nights, songwriters nights and various acts booked.
Nublu Classic and Nublu 151
New York has a lot of great indie music venues, and one of the top picks is Nublu Classic & Nublu 151, located in East Village in New York City. The venue opened in 2002 and features a bevy of world music, such as jazz, African, South American and more, as well as electronic and EDM music. They also have a record label and festival. It’s a thriving establishment that is one of the brightest spots in the area.
Also check out Audio Ink Radio’s feature on the best music cities in the U.S.
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