Rant & Roll by Cory Blackwood

What's the first place you think of when you think of a concert venue? Is it someplace massive, like Riverport or Kiel, or someplace smaller and more intimate, more along the lines of the Galaxy?

I'm not sure how many concerts I have been to, but it is well over a hundred. That means I have been to shows at places of all different sizes, and though I may not be entitled to my opinion, here it is anyway.

Most would say big places are cool for their reasons, and small places are cool for theirs, but after a short list of the separate benefits, this column would be over, and boring at that. For the most part, I do not like large venues. Sure, Riverport can pack in 20 to 30,000 fans so everyone can go see a band. Admittedly, that is necessary, because a Beastie Boys concert at Mississippi Nights would sell out in minutes, and would be so overcrowded it would be ridiculous anyway.

Riverport, the land of opportunity, where everyone can go see a band. Some sort of Utopia, where there are at least 6 different places to buy beer, and even more to buy food and souvenirs. Great idea, huh? Nope, it is a joke. Everyone can go hear a band, and on a horrible sound system, at that. Back in the outer limits of the lawn, you are lucky if you can make out the stage, much less the people performing on it. Pick one of the six places to go get a beer Ñ it is five bucks anyway Ñ or go buy cold pizza at near the price of a CD. Parking is eight or ten dollars, which is a joke because the parking lot is owned by the same guy that owns Riverport, not some independent businessman. Parking downtown at the American Theatre costs half as much, and those are independent lots.

Small venues are called intimate oftentimes, a pretty accurate statement. Go to a show at the High Pointe, with 250 people packing the tiny place, and everywhere you go, you can STILL SEE THE BAND! Amazing! The last time I showed my face at Riverport was the last Pointfest installment (I am almost ashamed to admit it) and the P.A. kept going out. On top of that, 2 Skinnee J's played. 2 Skinnee J has one of the best live shows of any live band played, but we couldn't even see them from our spot on the lawn. When I saw them at the American, however, I could see every one of them clearly. I could even make out the details of the singer's dragonfly tattoo.

There are even concerts at the VFW halls around St. Louis, held for local bands, and no more than 100 people could ever fit in a hall like that. Parking is free, a ticket is usually 5 dollars, and you are guaranteed to meet one of the bands playing. Five dollars is worth one spilled beer at Riverport. I'd rather watch five or six local bands.

Look on the sidebar of this page for some alternatives to the arena rock, and go check something infinitely more original than anything seen at Riverport all summer. I can promise you that Moby, Cibo Matto, Tricky, and any of the others will not be appearing any time soon at Riverport, or Kiel, or even the Fox.