Most people have bucket lists of things they want to do or places they want to see before they can't anymore. I, however, have a bucket list of venues I want to go to concerts in. Each and every venue on this list has something that stands out and makes them unique from every other venue in the world.
1. Rocketown- Nashville, TN
Rocketown is a venue, café and after school program center in Nashville. It includes an indoor skate park and skate shop, three live entertainment venues, a recording studio and an arts summer camp for kids and teens. It was founded as a drug and alcohol free, faith friendly environment for teens to express themselves. There is a second location in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Bands who have performed here include Panic! At the Disco, Of Mice & Men, August Burns Red and Demon Hunter even filmed a live concert DVD here.
2. Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an outdoor venue in the mountains of Colorado. The surrounding mountains create astounding acoustics that have lead to live versions of songs like “You & Tequila” by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, as well as “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons to be recorded here. Artists who have performed here include Grace Potter, O.A.R., twentyonepilots, Incubus, and The Beatles. OneRepublic’s “I Lived” music video was filmed at Red Rocks in 2014.
3. SteelStacks- Bethlehem, PA (also known as Sand’s Steel Stage)
The former Bethlehem Steel plant is now the home of a unique music venue with the backdrop of the steel factory for the outdoor stage. The plant was closed for nearly sixteen years before SteelStacks opened in 2011, and has been the home to concerts and festivals even since. Every summer, the venue hosts more than 50 free concerts. SteelStacks is also one of the many stages that hosts Musikfest, one of Pennsylvania’s biggest festivals. All American Rejects, Weezer, Avenged Sevenfold, Young the Giant and Jane’s Addiction.
4. Brooklyn Bowl, New York (also locations in London and Las Vegas)
There are three of these beauties around the world; one in Brooklyn, one in Vegas and one in London. They breathe Brooklyn pride, serving only food chains and beers brewed in Brooklyn. They are known for how green they are, as most of the venues are built using recycled materials. On top of good food and a great venue, the locations also offer bowling alleys for additional entertainment. The venues have hosted events for former president Bill Clinton’s charity foundation and performances from the likes of August Burns Red to Elvis Costello.
5. iPlay America- Freehold, NJ
iPlay America is an indoor theme park in Freehold, New Jersey that has a go kart course, rides, a music venue and over 200 games. The location includes a two story laser tag arena, a 4D movie theater, an arcade, bumper cars, a bowling alley, a laser maze, a music venue, seven food locations and so much more. Artists such as R5, Hollywood Ending and Boyce Avenue have taken the stage at this amazing location.
6. Bowery Ballroom- New York City, NY
The Bowery Ballroom in the Lower East Side of Manhattan is a smaller venue with a smaller capacity of just under 600 people. It opened in 1998, and has appeared in films such as "Coyote Ugly" and "Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist". Bowery Ballroom is also the location that Joan Baez recorded her live album in 2004, using the venue as the namesake in Bowery Songs.
