Concert Venue Entertainment Nightlife
-
A
Guildhall
Hosts music and theatre, especially during the St Ives September Festival.
reviewed
-
B
Auditorium Parco della Musica
Rome's premier concert venue, and one of Europe's most popular arts centres, this state-of-the-art modernist complex combines architectural innovation with perfect acoustics. Designed by Renzo Piano, its three concert halls and 3000-seater open-air arena stage everything from classical music concerts to tango exhibitions, book readings and film screenings. The auditorium is also home to Rome's top orchestra, the world-class Orchestra dell' Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (www.santacecilia.it). To get to the auditorium, take tram 2 from Piazzale Flaminio or bus M from Stazione Termini, which departs every 15 minutes between 5pm and the end of the last performance.
reviewed
-
C
Verizon Center
DC's great big sports arena-cum-big-name-band venue.
reviewed
-
D
World Financial Center
Although the World Financial Center is best known as an office and retail complex, its palm-fringed Winter Garden hosts free concerts, theater and dance performances, as well as art exhibits, throughout the year. Head to the website to see what's on.
reviewed
-
E
Troldhaugen
Bergen has a busy programme of concerts throughout summer, many of them classical performances focusing on Bergen’s favourite son, composer Edvard Grieg. Most of the concerts take place at evocative open-air venues such as Troldhaugen and Siljustøl, atop Mt Fløyen and in the park adjacent to Håkonshallen. For details and schedules, contact the tourist office. Tickets are sold by the tourist office or at the venue. There are free buses to the concerts from outside the tourist office, leaving one hour before starting time. From mid-June until late August, Grieg concerts also take place in the Grand Hotel Terminus at 9pm.
reviewed
-
F
Borderline
Through the Tex-Mex entrance off Orange Yard and down into the basement you’ll find a packed, 275-capacity venue that really punches above its weight. Read the writing on the walls (literally, there’s a gig list): Crowded House, REM, Blur, Counting Crows, PJ Harvey, Lenny Kravitz, Debbie Harry, plus many anonymous indie outfits, have all played here. The crowd’s equally diverse but full of music journos and talent-spotting record-company A&Rs.
reviewed
-
G
Berwaldhallen
Named after the Swedish composer Franz Berwald, this late-1970s concert hall is at the top of its game, despite being mostly underground. It’s home to the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and world-renowned Radiokören (Swedish Radio Choir), and it also hosts the annual August Baltic Sea Festival, a classical music extravaganza featuring orchestras, choirs and soloists from several Baltic countries, including Russia.
reviewed
-
H
Konzerthaus
The Konzerthaus is a major venue in classical-music circles, but throughout the year ethnic music, rock, pop or jazz can also be heard in its hallowed halls. Up to three simultaneous performances, in the Grosser Saal, the Mozart Saal and the Schubert Saal, can be staged; this massive complex also features another four concert halls. Students can pick up €14 tickets 30 minutes before performances; children receive 50% discount.
reviewed
-
I
Volksoper
The Volksoper (People’s Opera) specialises in operettas, dance performances, musicals and a handful of standard, heavier operas. Standing tickets go for €2 to €6 and, like many venues, there are a plethora of discounts and reduced tickets for sale 30 minutes before performances. It might come second place in comparison to the Staatsoper, but some feel the smaller space lends itself to a more intimate, and better, listening experience. The Volksoper closes for July and August.
reviewed
-
J
Musikverein
The Musikverein holds the proud title of the best acoustics of any concert hall in Austria, which the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra makes excellent use of. The interior is suitably lavish and can be visited on the occasional guided tour. Standing-room tickets in the main hall cost €4 to €6; there are no student tickets. Smaller-scale performances are held in the Brahms Saal.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Citibank Hall
Rio's largest concert house tends to change names every few years, but continues to host top international and Brazilian bands. As well as music shows, Citibank Hall stages ballet, opera and an occasional circus. The hall, which seats around 6000, is in the Via Parque Shopping Center in Barra. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.
reviewed
-
L
Metropolis
Housed in a former art-deco cinema, this beautiful old space (capacity 2300) features live bands and hip touring concerts, and is one of our favorite venues to see a rock show. It’s sometimes used as a party or rave venue with DJs and dancing. Buy tickets at the box office (1413 Rue St-Dominique) around the corner.
reviewed
-
M
Jannus Live
The Tampa Bay area's most beloved concert venue received a welcome face-lift in 2009, improving the bathrooms and bar areas. Unchanged is the intimate stage hidden in a cozy open-air courtyard in the middle of the block, where national and local bands reverberate downtown.
reviewed
-
Concertgebouw
Bruges’ stunning 21st-century concert hall is the work of architects Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem and takes its design cues from the city’s three famous towers and red bricks. Theatre, classical music and dance are regularly staged. The tourist office is situated at street level.
reviewed
-
N
Columbiahalle
Just opposite Tempelhof airport, this unfancy former American military sports centre hosts up to 3500 fans for everything from international artists to punk festivals and metal gigs. Next door, the smaller Columbia Club in a former cinema is more geared towards party nights.
reviewed
-
O
Konserthuset
Designed by Ivar Tengbom in 1926 and decked out in Carl Milles sculptures, Stockholm’s Concert Hall is home to the brilliant Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Pick up a schedule at the office inside Konserthuset (entrance on Kungsgatan) or check the website.
reviewed
-
P
Espace 400
Revamped in 2008 to the tune of $24 million to create a fresh public venue for the city’s 400th-birthday festivities, this Old Port waterfront pavilion is an official Parks Canada discovery center. Concerts, shows and performances of all sorts are held here.
reviewed
-
deSingel
This striking, concrete box houses two concert halls, which between them form Antwerp’s main venue for classical music, international theatre and modern dance. From Centraal Station or Groenplaats, take tram 2 in the direction of Hoboken to the deSingel stop.
reviewed
-
Q
Bridgewater Hall
The world-renowned Hallé Orchestra has its home at this enormous and impressive concert hall, which hosts up to 250 concerts and events a year. It has a widespread program that includes opera, folk music, children's shows, comedy and contemporary music.
reviewed
-
R
Paramount Theatre
Lots of red velvet and gold trimming deck out the Paramount, one of the premiere midsized theaters in the West. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recent acts include Rufus Wainwright, Margaret Cho and ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Hong Kong Coliseum
Big concerts are usually held at either the 12,500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum, behind the MTR station, and Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The sound is abysmal in the former, and you’d get better acoustics in an empty aircraft hanger than at the latter.
reviewed
-
T
Grand Concert Hall
This massive complex near pl Vosstaniya still often goes by its former name, Oktyabrsky. Seating almost 4000 people, this is the venue for Russian ‘stars’ with a national following, whether they are pop singers or ballet dancers.
reviewed
-
U
Queen Elizabeth Stadium
Big concerts are usually held at either the 12,500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum, behind the MTR station, and Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The sound is abysmal in the former, and you’d get better acoustics in an empty aircraft hanger than at the latter.
reviewed
-
V
BOZAR
Designed by Victor Horta in 1928, this Art Deco venue (formerly the Palais des Beaux-Arts) is the HQ of Belgium’s National Orchestra and the Philharmonic Society, and is internationally renowned for its acoustics. It also hosts art exhibits.
reviewed
-
W
Pollack Concert Hall
McGill University’s main music hall features concerts and recitals from its students and faculty, notably the McGill Chamber Orchestra. It’s in the stately 19th-century building behind the statue of Queen Victoria.
reviewed