Seeing as there are no gigs to review for a long time, I thought as a way to keep the blog active I'd talk about 5 venues where I have attended concerts at in Manchester and give them a rating out of 10
(No photos used belong to me)
Please also feel free to email me at thejakerobinsonmusicblog@gmail.com for anything you'd wish me to add to the blog that isn't a band review as I want to keep this blog going as much as I possibly can.
Enjoy :)
1. O2 Ritz (Whitworth Street) (8/10)
The O2 Ritz (often shortened down as The Ritz) is a 1500 cap venue on Whitworth Street, Built in 1927 previous acts that performed at The Ritz consist of The Blinders, No Hot Ashes, Fontaines D.C., Liam Gallagher, and so many more! It is without a doubt one of my favourite venues to see shows at.
The Ritz was actually where I attended my first live music event (Years End Festival) The biggest pro I have about The Ritz is the size, a relatively large stage and a balcony with limited seating areas, quite similar but moderately larger to the Albert Hall. There is also a basement for smaller events or extra space. With it being a fairly large venue there are multiple bars on site and upstairs on the balcony.
The audio is also very clear and no matter where you are in the crowd or upstairs, you always get a good view of the band. Beverages are at good reasonable prices I would recommend The Ritz!
2. Gorilla (Whitworth Street) (6/10)
Now literally facing The Ritz across the road under the viaduct is Gorilla. Gorilla is what I would describe as a normal/basic but iconic venue. I have only been to Gorilla twice and the last time was well over a year ago so I can only vaguely talk about it. The one thing that surprises me is how small it is, If i could give any advice to anyone going to a show hosted at Gorilla; It's to get there at doors and get your space. Both times I've been getting through the middle of a support band, it's like hell on earth having to barge past people and then through the arch to get to the bar. Years End festival was also shared with Gorilla and the O2 Ritz which is great logistically when more space is needed. What I like about Gorilla is next door there is a diner which I don't see in a lot venues where it serves restaurant style food on the same property.
When I say basic but iconic, there isn't really anything special about Gorilla that I have noticed it just appears to be a basic gig venue, I say iconic because the stage walls are some sort of blue electricity boxes which I assume are amps? And I only see these at Gorilla. I am unsure if there is seating areas, there is an upstairs balcony where merchandise stands often are placed.
3. Deaf Institute (Grosvenor Street) (9/10)
Built in 1878 as an institute for the deaf and dumb, And derelict when ownership took place over a decade ago, The Deaf Institute is one of my favourite venues of all time. the building is made up of 3 floors, Downstairs Is where the toilets are allocated, Middle floor there is a bar and diner area which I like particularly because they serve IRN BRU and Dr Pepper which I don't see in many venues or restaurants in Manchester either! What I also like to do when before I see a show at Deaf Institute is have a sit down have a drink and some grub as it serves the meanest burgers in town!
Then finally you have the third floor which is where all the action takes place!
In retrospect, the venue itself isn't large at all, in fact I've seen pubs and bars bigger than the room as a whole. Allocated at the back is a fairly large seating area with a brilliant view of the stage, Past acts have consisted of The 1975, Indoor Pets, Freeda, Tame Impala, Cabbage and many more to follow! And for a small venue that is not bad at all.
The Deaf Institute also features a roof terrace which is literally a walk out the door past the main stage so it's handy to get some fresh air if needed.
4. Fairfield Social Club (Fairfield Street) (4/10)
I have a mixed bag of opinions about Fairfield Social Club and to be honest I've only enjoyed the event that Fairfield Social has hosted not much enjoyed about the venue. Fairfield Social is situated just a two minute walk from Piccadilly station.
The biggest pro is, It is a large venue with plenty of seating areas, One area which is styled a bit like a living room filled with sofas and armchairs so you don't have to sit on the floor or lean and the sofas are something I've only noticed at Fairfield and nowhere else. Fairfield is also very cold, It is the first and only venue so far I've been to where I've never left sweaty or taken my jacket off
A couple of cons are I've noticed especially when concerts and live events take place is when they serve drinks they don't serve them in plastic cups they serve them in ordinary pint glasses which is can be dangerous because you know at gigs people love to chuck drinks don't they but at all venues i've been to all drinks are served in plastic cups for safety because obviously it isn't going to end well if you chuck glass is it? I've also noticed at The Deaf Institute you can take your glass from the downstairs bar up to the main venue and a plastic cup is given to you upon entry and I think this is something Fairfield should take into account.
Another con I've noticed is they serve a poor choice in soft drinks typical brands such as Coca Cola, Sprite and Fanta are literally non existent they have a cola brand imported from Sierra Leone called Karma Kola which I don't think is very nice and very poor quality however they have a water fountain where visitors can help themselves which is what I usually go for seeing as the poor choice of soft drinks is a lot to be desired.
5. Albert Hall (Peter Street) (8/10)
Finally we have the Albert Hall! Situated on Peter Street and at first glance I didn't realise it was a venue I thought it was a cathedral or a church looking at the architecture and do you know why? Because that's what it was, built in 1908 as a Methodist central hall. In the 90s the lower two floors were converted into a nightclub called Brannigan's which closed in 2011 then the hall was refurbished and reopened a couple of years later. Quite similar to the O2 Ritz in size but has a lot more history to it and there are numerous bars are available on site to avoid overcrowding.
The Albert Hall has hosted a wide variety of artists such as IDLES, Mac DeMarco, Larkins, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Courteeners and many, many more to follow!
Not going to lie but in my opinion I've only been to two Albert Hall shows and one of the times where I've sat upstairs it feels like being in church and is quite fitting if you describe the artist your seeing as "biblical"
I also think Albert hall has the best sound for any venue I've been too however my opinion may change if I attend any more venues.
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