I want to Rock and Roll and Party Every Day
Jennifer Bennett
Issue date: 8/20/05 Section: opinion
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Versus Magazine Online [Image based format]
Nashville is known as Music City USA, and this of course means not only really great music, but really great places to showcase all of it as well. So here's a little guide to some of the "need to know" places for great concerts in Nashville.
The Exit/In 2208 Elliston Place
A great place for all sorts of music, The Exit/In gets plenty of bands that are small but definitely well-known, like Jump Little children, Vertical Horizon, Straylight Run, Vanessa Carlton, and The Stereophonics. The place is pretty much just one large room: a stage directly in front, and an open area for concert go-ers to stand right below their favorite lead singer. Depending on the band the crowd can range from the trendiest punk-rockers with Mohawks and safety pins, to local college kids in their hoodies and flip flops. Tickets are generally cheap, and can be bought at the door, or ahead of time. It's a fast 5-minute walk from Vandy, which is also good because parking can sometimes be hard to find. After the concert, most head straight behind the Exit/In to Coco's, open 24 hours, to refuel on coffee, and go over the "face-melting" qualities of the concert.
The End 2219 Elliston Place
The Exit/In's smaller counterpart is directly across the street. It's a smoky, tiny venue that mostly gets up and comers, and local acts. You never know if that band on the stage will soon be on the cover of Rolling Stone. Famous acts that have passed through The End are featured in glow in the dark paint on their wall of fame. This wall includes, The White Stripes, Counting Crows, Cat Power, and GooGoo Dolls. The place is very dark and basement-like with a teeny stage, which guarantees you an up close and personal show. It's very lax so don't be surprised if a show starts 1 or 2 hours behind the time posted, and runs early into the morning. The End is the best place to go for local acts, hanging out with the band members, and being a part of the true rock "scene"