re: The Varsity's talent buyer quit to book casinos

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People didn't show up for the shows

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Which shows?

I think there is a place for a new venue in BR, that has a 150-200 capacity tops... That has a good talent buyer for more rock, rootsy, acoustic type of music...

It was awesome to go to the Mag and see Alejandro Escovedo, The Bottle Rockets and Chuck Prophet... o one books those bands in BR... (I know John got AE at Manship)

Now, there may not be an audience for that... I've lost touch with the music scene in BR and most I know that are into that are married w/kids... Not exactly the type audience that keeps a place alive...

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Now, there may not be an audience for that... I've lost touch with the music scene in BR and most I know that are into that are married w/kids... Not exactly the type audience that keeps a place alive...

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Audiences for that kind of music in BR have dried up because the music venues abandoned them for years. Sure, there is money to be made around LSU with cover bands, DJ's, and novelty acts. Most of those people are there hoping to get laid and not to listen to music anyway. Universal truths are hard to ignore.

But the rest of the music lovers in BR have forgotten what it's like to go out and hear live music because so few places book artists and run venues that they could enjoy.

The Red Dragon has attracted people who have given up on the other venues around town. It's not a perfect venue by a long shot, but they book quality artists and maintain a setting that is built around the music. It's a not-for-profit house concert setup, but no one on the commercial side of the business is willing to copy or build on its success. And if one does try to follow the Red Dragon's lead, they'd better be sure to avoid the kind of atmosphere and audiences that the large untapped audience of music lovers prefer not to patronize.

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Chelsea's has brought them in to over the years, but I don't think Dave's heart is in booking live music anymore and it hasn't been for some time...

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Dave is great guy and great businessman. He obviously loves and supports live music. He's done a hell of a lot for the BR music scene. But Chelsea's setup only works for a narrow group of bands.

Too crowded, too much foot traffic passing in front of the stage, too many patrons in the back bar that are there for things other than the music, but wandering through the stage area. Like the girl on roller skates and an afro wig skating through the audience at a Kelly Willis show. The hard drinkers in the back bar pay a lot of bills, but mixing them with the music audience for certain kinds of artists is hard to pull off.

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A place for music lovers would be great...

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Hartley vey studio is the best venue in town IMO. No smoking, has a bar, is all ages and the sound is really great.

Cory Branan is playing there with Audra Mae next month.

My favorite songwriter!

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Dave is great guy and great businessman. He obviously loves and supports live music. He's done a hell of a lot for the BR music scene. But Chelsea's setup only works for a narrow group of bands.

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Dave's problem is the radio bar took a ton of Chelsea's regulars away. But radio bar stays packed on the weekends.

I guess it's not that bad of a problem.

Good thread. Lot's of interesting stuff here.

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All i know is that the new talent buyer knows his shite and will be bringing lots of good, NEW stuff to Baton Rouge.

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:ijustpeedalittle:

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gjackx

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Trust me man i feel you, i've always wondered why the Varsity never pulled more touring acts.

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BR peeps just have terrible taste is REAL music, and they think the Molly Ringwald's is actually a good show

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The flaming lips sold out in 30 minutes