What are the iconic music venues?

[Tye 1on]

Great list Mo!! I see you didn't hit Idaho, so here's a couple of my favorites.

The Knotty Pine in Victor is small, maxes out at 300 peeps or less. In the next few months we have Antibalas, Galactic, two-nights of Leftover Salmon and Spafford.

In July we have Targhee Fest up at Grand Targhee ski area, in August is Bluegrass fest, which has the best vibe i've ever seen at a festival outside of JF. Yes, i'm a bit biased...

[AFew2Many]

You indeed have had a "few two many" if you have anything good to say about Merriweather.

LOL... I did say it wasn't especially scenic but I have seen some great shows there. You have to realize it was designed in the 1960's but after the latest renovations, it has improved. I think it is a favorite of the artists because I'm told backstage is great, now with a pool.

[20/20]

In Maryland between Baltimore and DC is Merriweather Post Pavilion. It opened in 1967 and has held everything from presidential rallies by the likes of George Wallace and Eugene McCarthy to the National Symphony Orchestra. It was originally built to be the summer home of that orchestra. It’s a nice setting in the woods but not an especially scenic setting. It has held performances by Hendrix, Joplin, The Doors and The Dead. It hosted the one and only time The Who opened for Zeppelin. Jackson Browne recorded a few songs for Running on Empty at Merriweather. In 2010, Merriweather was named the second best amphitheater in the US by Billboard magazine and ranked as the fourth best in the US by Rolling Stone in 2013. (** info stolen from Wiki).

You indeed have had a "few two many" if you have anything good to say about Merriweather. Those reviewers must have been compted some special seats.
Of no particular import, my wife saw Hendrix there. She was a big fan.

[AFew2Many]

In Maryland between Baltimore and DC is Merriweather Post Pavilion. It opened in 1967 and has held everything from presidential rallies by the likes of George Wallace and Eugene McCarthy to the National Symphony Orchestra. It was originally built to be the summer home of that orchestra. It’s a nice setting in the woods but not an especially scenic setting. It has held performances by Hendrix, Joplin, The Doors and The Dead. It hosted the one and only time The Who opened for Zeppelin. Jackson Browne recorded a few songs for Running on Empty at Merriweather. In 2010, Merriweather was named the second best amphitheater in the US by Billboard magazine and ranked as the fourth best in the US by Rolling Stone in 2013. (** info stolen from Wiki).

[Quint]

A second for Red's in Clarksdale, Miss. I'd also add the Blue Front in Bentonia.

[fichadelphia]

I’m due for both:
a) another car trip that passes through Galax and
b) it’s been three years since I was last in Austin so it’s probably time to fix that.

I love the continental club. I owe the threadheads a debt for recommending Toni Price a number of years ago.

[duende]

I read Redd Volkaert is leaving Austin for North Carolina. Walking into that free Saturday afternoon show he did at the Continental Club not knowing anything was a total mind blower. What a great musician!

That one hit pretty hard... but Galax? I guess it's a cheaper, quieter, more-fiddlers-per-square-mile kind of place - and Redd'll certainly wind up debt-free if he's selling in Austin to move there (median home price in Galax = $95K). I'll hold out hope that he'll fly back for the occasional show and fondly hold on to my memories of HeyBale! & his solo sets at the Continental. And before you give up on South Austin, go see a couple of shows at Sam's Town Point - I wouldn't call it iconic, but anachronistic wouldn't be a stretch.

[netdrew]

Macon City Auditorium with a visit to Grant's Lounge post show.

Slims in SF, Cafe Du Nord and the Boom Boom Room as well.

Fox in St Louis and whatever they call Kiel Opera House these days.

Mishawaka Amphitheater in Poudre Canyon west of Ft. Collins

[chopitulas]

I read Redd Volkaert is leaving Austin for North Carolina. Walking into that free Saturday afternoon show he did at the Continental Club not knowing anything was a total mind blower. What a great musician!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Knuckleheads Kansas City

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

[QUOTE=duende;n844657]I missed the days of the Armadillo (good country music from Amarillo & Abilene)


Also miss the Soap Creek Saloon
The Continental Club is my home base during SXSW. (South Congress)

Gruene Hall for sure!

San Antonio music venues:
Sam's Burger Joint

Floore's Country Store (Helotes TX)

[duende]

I missed the days of the Armadillo (good country music from Amarillo & Abilene), made it to Keystone Corner & Wolfgang's in SF, and I've been to some venues that my memory has elevated beyond the shabby decor/ambience. Some I'd put on the list for the range of listening tastes here:

• Continental Club - Austin (I'd put the Broken Spoke up there, but it's really a dancing hall - not so great to stand'n'listen like we tried to do at a Jr. Brown shoe)
• Gruene Hall - Gruene, TX
• Greek at UC Berkeley
• Mountain Winery in Saratoga (Nevilles + Dr. John show is on my all-time best-10-list)

I'd love to see a similar state-by-state/international list of "listening/player's rooms" for my bucket-list makin', like the Baked-Potato, Max's Kansas City, McCabe's, Ronnie Scott's, etc.

[Gards]

A few years ago, after returning from Europe yet again, I was asked if I had been to all 50 states yet. I hadn't, so I decided to see concerts in all 50 states. Still have five to go. Anyway, I'll mention some of my favorites and what I saw to give you an idea of what acts play there.

First, Europe quickly: #1. Dahalla, Sweden (https://www.dalhalla.se/en/om-dalhalla/). Venue is a former quarry. Hard to get to, but worth it. I saw Swedish band The Sounds, but acts like Neil Young, John Fogerty, etc have played there. Other great places. The PARADISO in Amsterdam ( Gregg Allman, George Clinton's P-Funk ), Royal Albert Hall in London ( Eric Clapton ), will see Clapton and Friends Ginger Baker Tribute at Eventim Apollo in Feb., so I can report back on that venue later. WHELAN's in Dublin is a good smaller joint ( Badly Drawn Boy).

Now my favorite spots in the U.S. ( many great ones have already been mentioned ) - I won't name every state, because I still have five to see shows in and some places were good but standard concert affair.
ARKANSAS ( Fayetteville ) - GEORGE'S MAJESTIC is a great venue ( Reverend Horton Heat/Red Elvises ).
CALIFORNIA - ( I still have to hit San Fran, so Fillmore of course, but in L.A. ) - HOLLYWOOD BOWL for sure, ( Jeff Lynne's ELO) and The TROUBADOUR ( Joseph Arthur ).
COLORADO (Denver ) - Must hit RED ROCKS ( Jackson Browne, Head & The Heart ), Bluebird and Cervantes are nice, but OPHELIA'S ELECTRIC SOAPBOX has been one of my favorite stops in the U.S. Saw Orgy of Rhythym, a Motet, Eddie Roberts of NMS mash-up.
FLORIDA - I'm always partial to The GREEN PARROT in Key West. Great hang with Honey Island Swamp Band there a few years ago.
GEORGIA - ( Atlanta ) - The TABERNACLE is fantastic ( Sting ), EARL's ( JD McPhearson ) is another great stop. In (Athens, GA) -The GEORGIA THEATER ( Joseph ) and 40 Watt Club.
ILLNOIS - ( Chicago ) - CHICAGO THEATER is a must stop ( Tedeschi Trucks Band ), BUDDY GUY's LEGENDS ( Buddy Guy with Earl Slick drop in ). My other two favorite stops are CALIFORNIA CLIPPER and the amazing GREEN MILL LOUNGE ( which someone already mentioned ) One of my favorite bars.
IOWA - ( Clear Lake ) - First visit Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, Big Bopper's crash site in the corn fields and then hit the historic SURF BALLROOM ( The Wallfowers, Beter Than Ezra ). There's an updated sound and light systems, but not much else has changed there since the 50's. Great museum attached to venue. Must stop on history of Rock and Roll tour !
KENTUCKY - LOUISVILLE PALACE ( Jason Isbell / Josh Ritter ) - This beautiful Theater is worth a stop.
LOUISIANA - Everything and very place in New Orleans, but you all already know that ! My favorite music city ( where I lived for short time ).
MINNEASOTA - ( Minneapolis ) - Must stops included FIRST AVENUE and BUNKERs music Bar & Grill. Also saw a show at Prince's PAISLEY PARK, which occasionally has shows.
MISSOURI - ( Kansas City ) - UPTOWN THEATER ( Amos Lee / Leon Bridges ) is nice, but better and smaller is the GREEN LADY LOUNGE. A great Jazz Club !
NEW JERSEY- Most shows will be in Atlantic City, but I hate shows in Casinos; so I won't mention any. Instead try BOARDWALK HALL on the AC Boardwalk ( The Who ). Also in NJ, try COUNT BASIE THEATER in Red Bank ( Steely Dan ). For a small hideaway spot that sometimes has good shows is The VAULT at Victor Records (U.S. Rails) in Berlin, NJ. You'll get some the phonograph's history there. The BB&T PAVILION in Camden, NJ has a great view of Philadelphia (otherwise not a favorite place of mine. Full disclosure - I live in Philly, so too many acts to mention that I've seen there). A great time to go there is in July for XPN Festival, which starts next door at Wiggins Park and finishes in the evening at BB&T. It's always the same weekend as the Newport Folk Festival in RI and usually features many of the same acts. You can go the XPN fest on day and then drive to Newport Folk fest the next or vice versa.
NEW HAMPSHIRE - In Portsmouth during the summer, go to PRESCOTT PARK for free concerts ( normally an $8 suggested donation though ). Nice park along the river and great summer shows. I saw Iron & Wine and Aaron Neville. Line ups are always impressive and beautifully town to see.
NEW YORK - ( Woodstock ) - LEVON HELM's BARN ( Amy Helm ) is a must stop of music lovers. in (NYC), the BEACON Theater is an absolute must visit and one of my top spots on U.S. tour. Was there this past Monday for Sting's Rainforest show with his pals Springsteen, Mellencamp, James Taylor, Blondie, Eurythmics and more. In March, Love Rocks NYC takes place. Last year it features R. Plant, S, Crow, Hozier, M. Stalpes, Heart, B, Guy, Taj Mahal, Marcus King, Ken Mo, and many more. Just go to The Beacon for any show. And if you like jazz, hit Village Vanguard and/or Blue Note in the Village.
NORTH CAROLINA - ( Asheville ) Orange Peel ( Rusted Root) and they sometimes have concerts at the Biltmore Estate, which would be a great place to see a show; so look out for events there.
OHIO - After you visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, if it's summer try JACOB's PAVILION ( John Fogerty ) for small outdoor venue with nice views of the city.
OKLAHOMA - ( Tulsa ) - CAIN's BALLROOM is the place and a must see stop for anyone into music history. They call it the Home of Bob Wills. I took in a Allstar tribute to Leon Russell there. Every time I wear my Cain's t-shirt to a concert somewhere else, the artist I went to see stop me to talk about Cain's ! While in Tulsa, must stop, only a few blocks from Cain's, is the Woody Guthrie Center. Highly recommend a visit.
OREGON - Portland is a great music and BEER town ! Some nice venues include DANTE's ( Marshall Crenshaw w/Los Straitjackts ), DOUG FIR LOUNGE, Star and Crystal Ballroom.
PENNSYLVANIA - ( Bethlehem ) - STEEL STACKS ( Ben Folds ) is a great outdoor venue well worth a visit. The old steel mill looks amazing lit up at night ! ( Philadelphia ) I live in Philly across the street from Underground Arts venue and blocks from UNION TRANSFER ( Galactic, Old 97's Indie rock ). Union would be one of my top spots. For smaller and hip, try Johnny Brendas ( local and smaller touring bands like War on Drugs and Andy Frasco,). For smaller yet and out-of-the way, hard to find, go to Dawson Street Pub in Manyunk section of the city. You never know who you'll meet at the bar. Most people in there are musicians. The D has hosted walk-ins like Eddie Roberts, Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, Charlie Sexton and hosted nights with Amos Lee, Anderson East, National Reserve etc.
RHODE ISLAND - Newport Folk Fest is a must. Newport Jazz Fest is a week after the Folk weekend. If you go to Jazz Fest, you should go to this one as well.
SOUTH CAROLINA - City alone is worth the visit, but for music POUR HOUSE ( New Mastersounds - thanks Eddie for the hospitality !) and Music Farm probably the top spots.
TEXAS -( Austin ) My favorite was the CONTINENTAL CLUB ( Dale Watson, Hotclub for Cowtown ). Also tour and then see show at The Moody THEater, home of Austin Cute Limits TV show. Stubbs is another top spot and of course Bob Schneider's Lonelyland at Saxon's Pub. Many great spots in Austin, my second favorite music city after NOLA.
TENNESSE - (McMinnville) - The CAVERNS is a bucket list type of venue. Amazing ! A must visit for sure ! I have to go again, because from what I understand ,they have switched the Cavern. I went to a PBS taping with St Paul & Brokens Bones, Lone Bellow, The Suffers and JJ Grey and Mofro in the Volcano room. I believe there is a new venue area now.
(Memphis) Memphis is more about the music tours than venues for me. Graceland, Sun Studios, Gibson, Stax etc. Take in a show on Beale or elsewheand take the tours.
( Nashville ) RYMAN THEATER is the first and top stop for me ( Dr, Dog, Grand Ole Opry ) and a place any music lover should see. The STATION INN for Bluegrass music and Bluebird for songwriters. Just took in The Last Waltz with Robbie Robertson last month at Bridgestone Arena. Great show, but standard hockey arena.
UTAH - Another one of my favorite venues on my tour has been O.P. ROCKWELL'S ( Turkuaz ) in Park City. They thought of everything in this venue. Super cozy and great site lines, relaxing areas. It had it all !
VIRGINIA - The NORVA ( Squeeze ) in Norfolk is a nice spot as is the National in Richmond is also nice.
WISCONSIN - Pabst Theater and Shank Hall (named after Spinal Tap ) in Milwaukee are nice, but I'd recommend The MAJESTIC THEATER ( New Pornogrphers ) in Madison for shows first.
WYOMING - (Jackson Hole ) Beautiful scenery. In March, Jackson Hole have ' spring break ' shows. On Friday night ,the show is held in the town square ( I saw The Mavericks ), then on Saturday, the shows are held a short bus ride away, at the Teton Ski area with the mountains in the background. ( I saw Micheal Franti & Spearhead and Portugal The Man ). Each year the bands are different. Best part is that the shows are FREE!!!

Happy traveling and enjoy retirement !

Great stuff

[Mo Man]

I found these two old links that helped me plan some trips to some of the great venues I mentioned in my last long winded post. They are fun to look over at least.

https://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-concert-venues-around-the-world-2015-7#the-ancestral-home-of-the-conyngham-family-and-the-frequent-roaming-grounds-of-king-george-iv-irelands-slane-castle-located-in-county-meath-has-been-staging-concerts-throughout-the-year-since-1981-it-has-hosted-some-of-musics-biggest-names-including-the-rolling-stones-bob-dylan-queen-and-david-bowie-111114

and

https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/04/the-100-greatest-american-music-venues/

[chopitulas]

Due to extreme "Jet Lag" (yeah, that's right, Jet Lag) I have the dubious distinction of accidently nodding off and sleeping thru of a substantial part of The Radiators' show at Paradiso sometime back in 2000 or 2001. Not one of my finer moments, but I was as absolutely physically exhausted as I can ever remember being, and I somehow found a place to sit for a moment or two in the back, and within a few seconds, well, that was that.

As luck would have it, I just last week grabbed tickets to see Los Lobos back there this coming May, so I will be on my guard against a repeat performance.

The Paradiso is a nice venue though my Amsterdam fav would have to be the Melkweg.