Category: Concert Venues

Set amongst the scenic beauty of Hollywood’s Griffith Park, the Greek Theatre is one of the premier concert venues in Los Angeles. Its size and layout make for a comfortable, almost intimate concert going experience, and its sound will leave you wondering what all the other theatres in town are doing. The Greek also has one of the best backstage areas I’ve been to in my career. All in all, The Greek offers concert goers a unique view of Hollywood and a damn fine concert (well I guess that depends on who you see).

My first experience at the Greek was seeing Oingo Boingo’s Halloween spectacular in 2006. Besides a fabulous performance, the night was made all the more enjoyable by the appearance of my friend Paul, who just so happened to be playing with the band. He was able to get me and my friends backstage passes for the show. So we partied like rock stars, with the rock stars in the backstage. Free beer, and fun, what more could you ask for?

The Greek also offer a number of meal packages and a fantastic picnic environment. Since it’s located in the middle of the vast Griffith Park, you know you’re going to be surrounded by natural beauty. I would even suggest making a day of it by spending some time in the park before the show.

But let’s get back to venue. I’ve sat in a few different sections and I’m here to say that the sound does not diminish anywhere in the venue. It’s built to make every seat as enjoyable an experience as the next, a rarity amongst venues these days (most music venues choose size over comfort; the more the merrier mentality). The stage is the perfect size for any band, and the caliber of artists who choose the Greek as their Los Angeles tour stop cannot be ignored. Anyone from George Clinton to The Fray, The Greek has it all.

So with that being said, if your favorite artist comes to the Greek, you know you’re in for a good show. So keep your eyes peeled!

The Knitting Factory is many things. On one hand it is a first rate concert facility stocked with three stages (all of which have their own sound and bars). On the other, it is a little small and barely manages to hold all of its occupants. Yet overall, the Knitting Factory is a fine place to spend an evening with friends and catch Hollywood’s finest local talent.

Being a musician myself, I’d like to begin by saying that playing the Knitting Factory has always been a pleasant and enjoyable experience. That being said, the quality of the music that graces the stages is usually as good as it gets. Because of the Knitting Factory’s relatively small size, most people get full view of everything that’s happening on stage. This intimate atmosphere adds major points to the appeal of the Knitting Factory.

Once you enter through the front door your eyes will be greeted by some very comfortable plush couches, and the first of three bars. Treat yourself first to one of many over priced drinks, that is if you can squeeze your way through the mob of people. If you make a right you’ll see the second stage. This is where the lesser bands, and touring indie bands play. This stage is nice, but there is not a lot of room to stand and it can get annoying if you find yourself in the path of traffic from the other rooms to the bars.

Next I would recommend making a quick stop by the Alterknit Lounge. This small little room is a haven for local singer songwriters looking to get their talent out there. If you need to, you can make your way to the second bar in the back of this room. Though it’s not as stocked as the one up front, you can still get an overpriced beer or two. This room doesn’t usually have as many people in it and is a nice place to get away and still enjoy the music.

If you leave this room, the only other place to go is the main stage. This is obviously where the larger bands come to play. The room is smaller than the House of Blues, but holds the same atmosphere. The visibility is pretty clear from all angles, and offers the same intimate feeling that the rest of the club has. Also, as with all the other rooms, the main stage room has a fully stocked bar. I would not recommend going to this bar due to the loud noise from the stage. It’s a lot easier to get what you want from the front room.

The Knitting Factory is even smoker friendly with the convenient exits in back of the room. Overall, I would say that the Knitting factory offers a good concert going experience, as well as just an old fashioned good time for everybody.