While unique venues across America entice people to travel from all over, like Red Rocks in Colorado and the Caverns in Tennessee, each city holds a locus for hosting music and honoring community. Here are 4 of our many dearest underground venues - not in order of favoritism, of course!
Located off of highway 75 north of the popular Lower Greenville neighborhood is a glowing green bastion: The Green Elephant. Of course, on the weekends, they host electronic music events across genres, including wave, drum and bass, dubstep, and more. But, they always stay true to Texas artists and book a swath of local DJs and producers to open, even hosting nights showcasing entirely Texas talent! Furthermore, every Wednesday, music lovers and fire spinners alike converge at The Green Elephant for their community Drum Djam! Held in their large outdoor space, vendors sell snacks and handmade goods while people make new friends.
On the east side of East Williamsburg lies a metal, half-cylinder warehouse on the corner of Scott Avenue. Perhaps unsuspecting at first glance, SILO is a club that has captured the hearts of New Yorkers and its incredibly vibrant music scene. Touted for their simple yet effective laser production, delectable acoustics, and the iconic aerial dancer stage, SILO attracts audiophiles from across electronic music genres. Indeed, part of SILO’s mission statement includes representing the innumerable cultures and communities in electronic music. Not only that, but they dissolve typical club hierarchies by having gender neutral bathrooms and eliminating tables and bottle service. One pleasant surprise about SILO was the selling of various snacks (chips, candy, granola bars) and earplugs! We love a venue that shows its love for us in these little ways.
Just south of highway 287 in Denver, an ominous black building with an ornate door sits quietly next to a Domino’s Pizza. Indeed, in the bass music capital of America, The Black Box is a monument for sound system culture and the experimental side of electronic music. Their shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays boast two lineups: one for the main room, and another in The Lounge, allowing for the crowd to ebb and flow, discovering new music along the way. Also, each week they host Electronic Tuesdays with Sub.mission, allowing a midweek break to showcase smaller talents and offer open decks. The Black Box caters to the local visual artists by often inviting live painters to their shows, and several frequent attendees cite their love for the extensive mocktail menu!
Right outside the heart of downtown Los Angeles within the warehouse district lies 1720, a venue styled similarly to a warehouse itself. One of its immediate standouts from most other local music venues is its kitchen. Serving light bites and snacks, 1720 finally answers the call that many concert-goers shout for: french fries in the club. This hub also invites a true spectrum of music. While most other venues featured here highlight electronic music, as well, 1720 features subgenres of rock (including ska, punk, and several kinds of metal), hip-hop, and pop. And anyone can get their fill of fun at one of 1720’s artist/aesthetic themed nights!
This is by no means an exhaustive list of amazing local venues! Each major city holds these gems that have unique characteristics and the ability to foster a genuine, supportive community.
