Why is the concert scene always so dead in Jacksonville?

[Anti redneck]

P.S............... What led to the Milk Bar closing and what happened to that scene?

There was word about the then Fire Marshal going all around the city, shutting down clubs and bars for "not complying with fire code". There's also more information about him doing it for certain reasons. Who he had ties with, I will not say, just to not start controversy.

Read accounts of night club fires and you'll appreciate an active fire marshall.

You don't think it's a little fishy that 80% of all clubs in Jacksonville got shut down for the same reason?

[floridaforester]

Its reality. Sorry for not sugarcoating it (like I tried to). Would you like to engage in the argument that Korn and Evanescence are widely listened to by the educated and young professionals that the city has a hard time attracting and retaining? I'd love to hear that.

Perhaps you could provide a small playlist of bands we are missing out on... you know... a young and educated playlist.  Something NOT Rockville... or country, or Korn and Evanescence... or etc...

1.___________
2.___________
3.___________

Are you insinuating that Korn and Evanesence are the cream of the crop? 

I'll list bands some of the biggest bands of the 2000's that off the top of my head that haven't been to Jax or St. Augie. I probably don't remember every show, so please correct me if I'm wrong on any. Most if not all of the bands listed are headliners or near headliners at Bonnarroo, Coachella, Austin City Limits, and all the huge music festivals that go in around the country.

Arcade Fire
Radiohead       Probably the 3 biggest bands of the past 10 or so years
The Strokes

Black Keys
White Stripes
The Shins
Band Of Horses
Coldplay
Kanye West
Jack Johnson
Ryan Adams
Red Hot Chili Peppers? Have they ever been?
Bon Iver
Muse
Arctic Monkeys
LCD Soundsytem
Sufjan Stevens
The Decemberists
Animal Collective
MGMT
Beirut
The National
Jay Z
Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The 2000's is probably one of the deepest decades ever for quality music. There are just an insane amount of fairly good quality bands. I could probably name another 100 or so quality bands that play in mid sized venues in Atlanta and other large cities that we miss out on.

Traveller is correct that Ryan Adams played Florida Theatre, Decemberists played St Aug amphitheatre and Bon Iver opened for Wilco at Fl theatre several years ago.

I see your point, but we get some pretty good shows despite the lack of mid-sized venues.  Also, there was a great festival played at Met Park some years ago called Talleyrand fest.  Just off the top of my head here are several bands that played; Polyphonic Spree, Keller Williams, Arrested Development, Spoon, Perpetual Groove, Whole Wheat Bread, Pat Dinizio (great intimate solo set with maybe 20 in the crowd and all of Smithereens' hits), The Bravery and several more that I wasn't familiar with.  I was bummed to see this didn't continue after the first year.  Could've been a great festival to build on for years to come.

[simms3]

Anyone who criticizes other peoples' music and then says "there's nothing wrong with Coldplay" has just lost that argument for themselves. They've lost it so bad that not even non sequiturs about their ticket prices and the supposed educational attainment of their fanbase can save it.

Seriously though, individual tastes aside, if we suddenly woke up and started attracting acts like Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Radiohead, etc., at the same time we'd also start attracting various different acts of various different styles, including ones that suck. CityLife (who appears to have pretty good taste IMO) mentioned several good bands playing in San Francisco. I can guarantee that Korn and Slipknot have also played big shows in San Francisco. As have Enrique Iglecias, 8Ball & MJG, and Hank Williams III. A strong music scene brings variety. Terrible, terrible variety.

To each their own...I wouldn't have bought tickets to Coldplay by itself, but it wrapped up a music festival in the park whereby some local bands, Cage the Elephant, Black Keys and Young the Giant played.  This year the same festival will be headlined by Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Joan Jett, Florence & the Machine, TI, O'Brother, Ludacris, LP, Civil Twilight, Girl Talk, Avett Brothers and Van Hunt.  Apparently one year in the past it was headlined by Sheryl Crow, Def Leppard and Tony Bennett along with 150 other acts over three days.  My point about Cold Play tickets being expensive was analogous to what everyone else's point was, too, and that was one of desire and demand.  They may rip off bands that are better and bands I like as well, but they put on a good show and attract a very good looking crowd.  I'm sure the Slipknot fans can beat up any of the Coldplay concert goers (as was stated before).  That's real nice.

I do think CityLife has posted the most decent and well-rounded list of shows that have not made it to Jacksonville.  I happen to like most of the groups on that list (my taste is not all that bad and I have seen a number live), and I happen to really like Animal Collective, who I have seen in Atlanta.

I have also been one of the biggest defenders of Jville's music scene on this thread, ironically, as it is not all that bad, was a lot better, and could improve.

A real popular consortium of groups right now amongst the 18-27 year old demographic includes STS9, Big Gigantic, Bassnectar, Avett Brothers, Thievery Corporation, Pretty Lights, Umphreys McGee, Lotus, Michael Franti, Ghostland Observatory, Shpongle (who I have seen 3 times now...most bizarre/nuts show I've ever see), Skrillex, etc etc.  Big Gigantic came to Freebird, but other than that I think the "now" trends miss Jacksonville altogether.  Perpetual Groove played Center Stage a block from my apartment a month or so ago, but I didn't go.  That was fun in early college and even before (young crowd).

What I foresee for Jacksonville (warehouse re-use) is something like the new King Plow West:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/terminalwest

This is in a warehouse district on the westside, and I believe it is well over a century old.  They really did a good job fixing it up as a concert venue and nightclub.  This is one of many many similar venues in Atlanta, but a city like Jacksonville just needs one.  This is the scene that is missing in Jacksonville.  I'm getting to be too old for that scene, and I hate being around under age people, but it is a youth movement.  Any given night from Tuesday-Saturday 15 similar venues are having crazy shows and young people are turning out in droves.  In Nashville it's even better because on top of venues you have live music in 100 bars all concentrated downtown and West End, going 7 days a week.  That's a music scene.

[Jason]

Wow a lot of you people have horrible taste in music.  Korn?  5 Finger Death Punch?  Slipknot?  Those are the big bands?  Not to be insulting, but the people I see listening to that stuff, at least publicly, are kind of...

And there is nothing wrong with Coldplay...tickets to Coldplay are some of the most expensive around.  I saw them last year in Piedmont Park and it was a good looking crowd.  The average income level and educational attainment of that crowd is probably 5x that of the crowd that goes to a Slipknot concert.

Simms I still think you're missing the point.  The price of the ticket has nothing to do with the "types of people" listening to the music but everything to do with the size of the venue and the QUANTITY of people listening.

Linking "types of people" to certain genres or bands does nothing for your argument.  You'd come off a lot better opening your post with "Metal Sucks! I want more Coldplay & Britney Spears!" 

And trust me on this, I know PLENTY of young clean cut financially competent people that love to jump into a mosh pit from time to time.

Yeah, but the Slipknot crowd would kick your ass, take away your overpriced Coldplay tickets and toss them in the urinal.  The next morning, they'll put on thier suit, sit in their corner office and watch the market.

I guess everyone who rides a Harley and wears leather must be poor white trash as well. 

Poor white trash just know how to have a good time! 

[BridgeTroll]

Agree... and I urge you to attend the upcoming Jazzfest and see the young and educated mingling freely with the diverse masses that attend that great event...

[Jason]

Do they sell cold Natty Light and funnel cakes?!

Just joking    I love Jazz fest and can't wait for it to get here.

[simms3]

Wow I meant ticket price in awhole different way.  I meant it in terms of demand.

Obviously my last post was ignored, that's ok.  People are always looking for certain cues...so predictable.

Also maybe in Jax Slipknot and Korn and Evergreen Terrace and all those bands are in major demand by the clean cut crowd (I actually went to a few shows like that my soph/junior year in HS when I was trying to be punk...yea right for me...had gauged ears the summer in between HS and college when I went to Spain for summer), but where I am now the most sought after shows are the jam bands and the more mellow shows where most of the crowd chills out on mo____ and organic beers and then returns to their white collar/artistic jobs on Monday.  I'm only referencing where I am, but a totally different crowd goes to the crazy heavy shit (a neo-nazi looking crowd to me).

And once again I'll say that on this topic I have been one of the biggest defenders of Jax, which is rare for me and ironic.  I think Jacksonville's music scene is alright compared to many places.  COuld always be better (there are few places that literally can't be any better).

[Anti redneck]

I love Slipknot and Five Finger Death Punch (not as big into Korn as I was) and I don't consider myself to be poor white trash in the least bit.

[blizz01]

I've noticed another nice mix/run of bookings in St. Augustine again this year - how long before they outgrow the venue?

A few upcoming:
Matchbox Twenty
Chicago
Willie Nelson
The Smashing Pumpkins
Styx/REO Speedwagon/Ted Nugent
Bob Dylan
Third Day
Alan Jackson
Billy Idol
LL Cool J/Ice Cube/Public Enemy/De La Soul

[Shwaz]

St Augustine must being doing something right... or just better than Jax. They also have the 'Gentlemen of the Road" later this summer.

America’s oldest city welcomes the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover on September 13th and 14th, featuring Mumford & Sons, Fun., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and more.

Settled in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida boasts an unparalleled history, from the Fountain of Youth to the Castillo de San Marcos (whose iconic shape adorns the Stopover badge).  The final Stopover of 2013 will take place at Francis Field, in the heart of downtown. The event will begin the evening of Friday September 13th, and continue with a day-long concert on Saturday September 14th.

The bars, shops, and restaurants of downtown St. Augustine will host a series of events and aftershows throughout the weekend.

Confirmed lineup includes: Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Friday), Fun., The Vaccines, Half Moon Run, Willy Mason (Friday), Those Darlins and Bear’s Den, with more to be announced.

Can't believe they pulled this show to Francis Field. I was just down there for that wretched "sea food festival" and couldn't believe how boring the concert space is. It's just a field for christ sake! No stage and beat-up grass somehow beats out Met-Park?!

[fsujax]

Guess they have better promoters than jax.

[cline]

St Augustine must being doing something right... or just better than Jax. They also have the 'Gentlemen of the Road" later this summer.

America’s oldest city welcomes the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover on September 13th and 14th, featuring Mumford & Sons, Fun., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and more.

Settled in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida boasts an unparalleled history, from the Fountain of Youth to the Castillo de San Marcos (whose iconic shape adorns the Stopover badge).  The final Stopover of 2013 will take place at Francis Field, in the heart of downtown. The event will begin the evening of Friday September 13th, and continue with a day-long concert on Saturday September 14th.

The bars, shops, and restaurants of downtown St. Augustine will host a series of events and aftershows throughout the weekend.

Confirmed lineup includes: Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Friday), Fun., The Vaccines, Half Moon Run, Willy Mason (Friday), Those Darlins and Bear’s Den, with more to be announced.

Can't believe they pulled this show to Francis Field. I was just down there for that wretched "sea food festival" and couldn't believe how boring the concert space is. It's just a field for christ sake! No stage and beat-up grass somehow beats out Met-Park?!

The whole premise of the GOTR tour is to go to small, unique cities.  That's why there only other stops in the US are Troy and Guthrie.  They wouldn't have come to Met Park.

[Shwaz]

St Augustine must being doing something right... or just better than Jax. They also have the 'Gentlemen of the Road" later this summer.

America’s oldest city welcomes the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover on September 13th and 14th, featuring Mumford & Sons, Fun., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and more.

Settled in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida boasts an unparalleled history, from the Fountain of Youth to the Castillo de San Marcos (whose iconic shape adorns the Stopover badge).  The final Stopover of 2013 will take place at Francis Field, in the heart of downtown. The event will begin the evening of Friday September 13th, and continue with a day-long concert on Saturday September 14th.

The bars, shops, and restaurants of downtown St. Augustine will host a series of events and aftershows throughout the weekend.

Confirmed lineup includes: Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Friday), Fun., The Vaccines, Half Moon Run, Willy Mason (Friday), Those Darlins and Bear’s Den, with more to be announced.

Can't believe they pulled this show to Francis Field. I was just down there for that wretched "sea food festival" and couldn't believe how boring the concert space is. It's just a field for christ sake! No stage and beat-up grass somehow beats out Met-Park?!

The whole premise of the GOTR tour is to go to small, unique cities.  That's why there only other stops in the US are Troy and Guthrie.  They wouldn't have come to Met Park.

Fair point.

[I-10east]

The upcoming events at Jax's  Florida Theatre, Arena, and Performing Arts respectively, and it's not that shabby esp when you consider the sporting events at the Arena.

www.boxofficeticketsales.com/venue/florida_theatre_jacksonville-tickets-for-sale.aspx?gclid=CK-2lOi1ibYCFQexnQod2TQAow

www.jaxevents.com/venues/veterans-memorial-arena/

www.jaxevents.com/venues/times-union-center-for-the-performing-arts/

Oh man, that arduous 40 mile trek down I-95 is so grueling! Quit looking at St Augustine as comp to Jax, and look at it as an extension, geez man. Hell, those St Auggie acts probably won't come here for the simple fact that the two cities are so freaking close! It's not like you're driving to Winter Park or something. I personally don't see what all of the fuss is about, but I'm not least bit surprised that people on MJ will find a way to complain about anything, even a short lil' trip down the highway to see your favorite act...

[Tacachale]

St. Augustine Amphitheater has good promotion but above all, they have a modern mid-sized venue that attracts those acts and doesn't exist in Jax. Also, it's really part of the same market, so a lot of their ticket sales are to people from Jax. A trip to Anastasia Island from Jax doesn't really require loading the wagon for the Oregon Trail. It's a great venue, but it would be nice to have something comparable in Jacksonville; we'd definitely start seeing a lot more of the shows that pass us by.