- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: For the In-the-Know people, why did the Varsity in BR move away from live music?
Posted on 4/11/25 at 3:25 pm to tigeralum06
Posted on 4/11/25 at 3:25 pm to tigeralum06
quote:
He booked what people would pay to see. His job was to make the venue money, not get the best bands available.
Someone that is really good can do both... if the job/venue exists only to make money... like JW said, prob for the best...
0
Posted on 4/14/25 at 3:08 pm to BottomlandBrew
quote:
I saw what I consider to be a lot of good music throughout the 2000s in BR, and then it just died.
still have great bands/songwriters coming through BR, it's just all going to Chelseas.
Posted on 4/14/25 at 3:46 pm to monsterballads
quote:
still have great bands/songwriters coming through BR, it's just all going to Chelseas.
In my opinion, Chelsea's is getting the same tier of bands that used to frequent the Spanish Moon. The types of bands that The Varsity used to get regularly no longer play 2 dates in Louisiana. They either only stop at New Orleans or bypass the state entirely. Back in the 1980's-early 2010's, those same bands would play New Orleans AND Baton Rouge (and sometimes even Lafayette or Lake Charles). Now, the state frequently gets completely skipped.
Posted on 4/14/25 at 5:22 pm to Locoguan0
Honestly the best time I ever had at the Varsity was the 2014 World Cup. The matches there against Ghana and Portugal were insane. It was $10 all you can drink beer and everybody would launch their beer in the air anytime a goal was scored and the place would come unglued. Funnest World Cup ever. It sucked when we lost to Belgium in the knockout though lol, but at that point we were just happy to make it out the group of death
Posted on 4/14/25 at 7:09 pm to kingbob
I would say Chelsea's has done a much better job than Spanish Moon ever did of bringing in big names.
Posted on 4/14/25 at 8:05 pm to Brosef Stalin
quote:
I would say Chelsea's has done a much better job than Spanish Moon ever did of bringing in big names.
Nowhere near as good as the Varsity did, though. Chelsea's has pulled some great underground acts, but they don't pull the mainstream stuff like the Varsity did.
Posted on 4/15/25 at 12:50 pm to kingbob
quote:
Back in the 1980's-early 2010's, those same bands would play New Orleans AND Baton Rouge (and sometimes even Lafayette or Lake Charles). Now, the state frequently gets completely skipped.
I've notice this too. Seems the state is getting completely skipped more often than not. Is there any financial reason to this?
Posted on 4/15/25 at 1:56 pm to YungBuck
quote:
The Bends come May 2nd, great band can't wait
Saw them out in Austin recently after finding them on Spotify, glad to know they are gaining some stream. Trying to make it in for that show as well. They are just so brand new they barely have any original music, but I believe an EP is coming this summer
Posted on 4/15/25 at 2:14 pm to wildtigercat93
quote:
glad to know they are gaining some stream
It’s Gordon’s nephew
That’s where the steam is coming from
Cool radiohead name though
Posted on 4/15/25 at 2:16 pm to monsterballads
quote:
it's just all going to Chelseas.
You mean the emo night and karaoke place?
Posted on 4/15/25 at 2:28 pm to el Gaucho
Glenn balanced the the fine line between Art + Commerce by doing both -- making money and keeping a balanced and interesting calendar. Big difference from the eventual casino dude who would pass on bands like Stereolab for frick's sake.
Of course Chelsea's calendar is similar to the Spanish Moon when you have the same talent buyer. Not easy booking a venue that is destination only, so he's doing fine with the current climate from what I can observe from far away.
Of course Chelsea's calendar is similar to the Spanish Moon when you have the same talent buyer. Not easy booking a venue that is destination only, so he's doing fine with the current climate from what I can observe from far away.
Posted on 4/16/25 at 4:45 pm to el Gaucho
quote:
You mean the emo night and karaoke place?
That's every club venue in America.
Lucero used to come through the Varsity, now they go to Chelsea's. Same with Minus the Bear. Same with many others, I'm sure.
Posted on 5/6/25 at 9:16 am to Jay Are
Getting a spot on ACLs lineup is a nice step up for them 
Posted on 5/7/25 at 7:29 am to Locoguan0
It’s borderline criminal that they’re letting the Varsity go to waste. Easily the best venue in BR. I pretty much lived there when I was in college. The cleaning up of Chimes Street, and North Gate in general, probably didn’t help. At least with the vibe. Chimes Street was a culture and a community. You used to have the Bayou, Library, and Slinky’s. Now you have generic pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Chipotle.
The only show that I’ve seen there since they stopped having regular shows was Hayes and Heathens. Great show, but kind of depressing knowing what the place used to be and what it still should be.
And, who let that article go to print? It looks it was written for a middle school news paper. Toad and the Wet Sprocket?
PS- Hank Sucks.
The only show that I’ve seen there since they stopped having regular shows was Hayes and Heathens. Great show, but kind of depressing knowing what the place used to be and what it still should be.
And, who let that article go to print? It looks it was written for a middle school news paper. Toad and the Wet Sprocket?
PS- Hank Sucks.
Posted on 5/7/25 at 7:57 am to dinner roll
Many great shows there.
One of the best was SOAD open for Incubus in 98 before anyone knew anything about them. Was blown away.
The energy they had was incredible.
Got to play the Varsity a couple times too. Fond memories there for sure.
One of the best was SOAD open for Incubus in 98 before anyone knew anything about them. Was blown away.
The energy they had was incredible.
Got to play the Varsity a couple times too. Fond memories there for sure.
Posted on 5/7/25 at 8:17 am to TopWaterTiger
quote:
I've notice this too. Seems the state is getting completely skipped more often than not. Is there any financial reason to this?
Louisiana sucks. We went to American Aquarium at Chelsea’s last week. Probably sold less than 100 tickets. I think bands only stop here out of pity/obligation.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:11 am to kingbob
quote:
In my opinion, Chelsea's is getting the same tier of bands that used to frequent the Spanish Moon.
strong opinion because it's the same person doing the booking
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:13 am to DVA Tailgater
quote:
We went to American Aquarium at Chelsea’s last week. Probably sold less than 100 tickets. I think bands only stop here out of pity/obligation.
fist AA show i've missed in like 18 years. was wondering how it would do.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 11:49 am to Locoguan0
quote:
The Varsity used to book so many up-and-coming and established bands, but now their live music is few and far between. Does anyone have the inside info on why this happened?
Posted this in the other thread on the OT, but they switched ticketing platforms to a (former) crypto ticketing startup from the NY called Blocktickets sometime after COVID, and part of that deal apparently meant that Blocktickets was doing their booking for them as well which, IMO, left a lot to be desired as far as who was being booked, and ticket sales reportedly suffered as a result. Just not sure how some random startup from NYC would know the BR and LSU music scene more than someone local.
This is far from the only factor though. COVID, strong competition with the new Chelsea's Live, staffing issues, less bands coming through Louisiana/NOLA when they otherwise would have, tightening margins, and less students going out for nightlife are all very real headwinds that they've likely had to deal with as of late. I'd imagine they almost surely operated significantly in the red during/after COVID and has a lot to do with their decisions/booking over the last few years.
Hoping The Varsity gets their momentum back as it's a fun venue with a lot of nostalgia for myself and many of my friends.
(Oddly enough, it appears that that Blocktickets has abandoned the blockchain/crypto/music angle and is now only focusing on minor league sports teams, so not sure who the Varsity is now using for their booking, if anyone really as there aren't any upcoming shows as of this post.
https://blocktickets.xyz/
https://www.facebook.com/blocktickets.xyz)
This post was edited on 5/9/25 at 12:32 pm
Posted on 5/20/25 at 8:55 am to ansertiger
the varsity could book big shows. there IS a market for them. just has to be the right band/artist.
they could be booking all the bands that the freaking texas clubs books but they don't.
they could be booking all the bands that the freaking texas clubs books but they don't.
Page 3 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News