The LA Times reports that Live Nation just signed a 20 year lease to opearate the Hollywood Palladium. They'll be dumping "millions" of dollars into the place to restore it. According to the Times, Live Nation currently operates the House of Blues on Sunset, the Wiltern and Verizon Wireless in Irvine. They also do a lot of shows at the Avalon.
I haven't been to the Palladium recently, and I honestly don't remember ever having a good time there. The last two times I was there was for a Black Flag reunion show in 2003 and a Gorrillaz show in 2002. I remember it being very cold, having shitty sound and a gymnasium vibe. Hopefully Live Nation can fix it without going too overboard and forcing ticket prices too high.
The capacity of the place is about 4,000 which puts it between the Wiltern (2,300) and the Greek (5,800). A lot of the bands that used to do two nights at the Wiltern will probably now do one night at the Palladium. Some of those random shows that pop up at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium might also go to the new Palladium.
Look for the all new Palladium in September 2008.
2 comments:
You know what? The sound at the Palladium did suck. But I have so many memories there...whether the shows were good or bad, so many were seminal for me. Primal Scream, the Stone Roses, The Smiths for chrissakes. The Smiths. I'm glad it's not gonna die, even though it'll probably be cheesed out and I won't see any bands there. I just don't want to lose another memory!
It's kind of sad. Whenever LiveNation has gotten hold of a venue in NYC, frequent concert-goers have gotten all up-and-arms about it, not wanting to desecrate a historical landmark. The Palladium, although it does suck, is one of L.A.'s and no one gives a damn about saving it except for the corporate monster that is LiveNation. Have you no historic pride, Angelenos?
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