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Music - Venues & Open Mics
Recovered from the Internet Archive capture of 15 March 2018. Images not recovered: 8.
Music builds free on this Guide because of Artists 4 Life in the Sound
Music - Venues & Open Mics (for Gear Go Here)
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Tacoma's music culture has a strong, historic blue collar backbone grounded in the uncompromised encouragement and expression of the independent voice. We’re a diverse, accepting community that prizes individuality and provides a place for every genre of music from folk to classical to metal, flamenco, punk, garage rock, blues, rap, hip hop, experimental and country (for those that question this last category, go see TR Stewart at the Antique when he's in town). Bing Crosby was born here, Neko Case is from here and Colin Reynolds sings our theme song.
Click 4 Musician Evelyn Glennie on Listening & Interpretation Listen to Local Bands (pop out window)
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The National Music Museum = Sounds Like Tacoma
Click Pic, Learn More
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Our local voice is wide and varied with a rich history, lively texture and depth of experience you are likely to enjoy, from Victory Music at the Antique Sandwich Company to the independent voices at the Java Jive and the New Frontier.
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Where to Start & Who Started Where
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Live music we love here is original composition created by the musician(s) on stage. Cover bands exist here, but are not what our music scene is really about - for sound you've never heard before, check in with these guys and visit our festivals.
The Warehouse Group website facebook I love these guys. For years running they've hosted and advocated independent musicians from Tacoma, pairing them with exceptional musicians from all over the world. Victory Music website Decades running we've enjoyed music at the Antique Sandwich Company's radio-broadcast open mics. Every few months is the not-to-be-missed 'Old Timer's Open Mic.' Tacoma Musical Playhouse website NW Convergence Zone (Listen Online) website Tacoma.fm website Venues - Over 21
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The New Frontier Lounge
301 E 25th St website Tacoma, WA 98421 (253) 572-4020 One of the South Sound's last bastions of independent music, open jams rock Tuesday nights (musicians, bring your gear). Bring your appetite - best cheap bar food Tuesdays, too. Weekends expect some of the best live rock and independent sounds from flamenco to metal to indie rock to a cello project. Check their website for show dates, times and details. Google the bands, see what you like and attend. Be a classy cat here - tip the sound man, especially if it's Peter. Very dedicated music community staff - priestesses and priests - guardians of independent sound, and in the Bests Of what's around - our lives would not be the same without them. They've got Tacoma’s “Best White Russian” (really though it acheives the league), they have great tots and very worthy bar burritos. *Note: This is a music venue - if you don't like the sound turned up, you might . . well, I say try it out. Amocat Cafe Downtown 625 Saint Helens Avenue; Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 722-5373 http://amocatcafe.com/ Hours fluctuate - See website for details Some Friday nights Morgan and company liven things up with sounds of bands and acoustic musicians playing like they're in the company of friends and family. Enjoyable, relaxed and welcoming, enjoy a beer brewed in house. Bob’s World Famous Java Jive Southside 2102 South Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 475-9843 www.myspace.com/bobsjavajive Keanu Reeves is banned from the Jive for life - rumor is he attempted to purchase the place for an off-shore move to Hawaii: Hollywood subversion, FAIL. And the Jive continues rocking indie strong. Coffee here? Um, no, just don’t do it. But beer and hand made french fries make this historic cultural landmark worth the visit, especially if you catch it on a good rockin night. Shows here are rare - get in the loop. For more lore go here Harmon Tap Room 204 St Helens Ave; Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 212-2725 http://harmonbrewingco.com/taproom/ Many local bands have graced this stage, it's a scene staple and there's a good chance you'll be introduced to a band's new set - musicians use this as a familiar space to give us a taste of what to expect from them in the near future. Also, enjoy a good variety of in-house craft beer. Dorky’s Barcade (Bar + Arcade) Downtown 754 Pacfic Ave Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 627-4156 Air hockey and live bands - how can you go wrong? Add in pinball by the machines by the dozen, some bar food and a huge selection of old and new school arcade games . . if you're into it you're into it. Many of us love this place and it's great for getaway fun with friends. O’Malley’s Irish Pub 6th Ave 2403 6th Avenue Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 383-3144 myspace OTown's a bit of dive to some - I personally love this place and enjoy the gritty rockin' fun sounds this stage brings to us. It can be a ruckus, it can be a normal casual night. Make it what you want it - you're free here. Great place for pool. Jazzbones 6th Ave 2803 6th Avenue Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 396-9169 http://jazzbonestacoma.com Some of our town's biggest names come through here. A big stage and a good sound man make this place sound worthy - hit their website for a check of sounds in the cue, get ready for a wide mix of folk. *Note: The street crowd does not often come here, but that's not to say it lack the cred. The Swiss Downtown 1904 Jefferson Avenue Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 572-2821 www.theswisspub.com Live here can mean cover bands - if you're into that you'll like it here. Good bar, great staff - lots of military folk head here. The have a full kitchen. Doyle’s Public House Downtown 208 St Helens Ave Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 272-7468 www.doylespublichouse.com/ |
August 16, 2014 we began a petition at Tacoma's Music & Art in Wright Park to bring the National History Museum to our city.
Visit this page to learn more and support. Past to Present
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The seeds of Punk were here with The Sonics: With other bands like The Regents, The Kingsmen, Paul Revere & The Raiders and The Wailers (a Jimi Hendrix favorite), they helped set the stage for the hallmark garage rock sound of our region.
That was the late 60’s. We continue that rock-the-machine mentality to this day, and however deep you go, wherever you come from, whatever your background and regardless of your beliefs, your voice will be heard here. Listen to local music here. Worthy Festivals & 'The Loop'
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Squeak & Squawk Music Festival
The penultimate example of commuinty-organized, grass roots fantastica, Squeak & Squawk embodies the spirit of this generation's rich appreciation of original voice and sound. Experience perhaps the most unique annual expression of Tacoma's independent voice. Worth Supporting All Ages, Open Mics & Live Cafés
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Spaces WITH Open Mics
The New Frontier Lounge (See at Left) Metronome Coffee 3518 6th Avenue Tacoma 98406 (253) 301-2375 website Mon-Thu 7a-11p; Fri 7a-1a; Sat 8a-1a; Sun 8a-11p Dirty Oscar’s Annex (D.O.A.) 2309 6th Ave; Tacoma 98406 253-572-0588 *Must be 21+ Antique Sandwich Co. 5102 N Pearl St; Ruston, WA 98407 (253) 752.4069 Tacoma Tea & Co. Downtown (in Urban Xchange, at the back . .) 1932 Pacific Ave; Tacoma, WA 98402 (253)572-2280 http://www.myspace.com/thedentacoma Mon-Fri 10a-8p; Sat 11a-8p; Sun 12p-5p Amocat Cafe Downtown 625 Saint Helens Avenue; Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 722-5373 http://amocatcafe.com/ Mon 7a-3p; Tue-Fri 7a-5p; Sat 8am-2pm Gear, Service & Vinyl
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Tacoma loves her vinyl and knows where to go to get off on sound.
Get quality new gear or repair your current instruments here, too. |