Big City, Small Venue
I love going to concerts.
If I could go to one every weekend, I absolutely would. I know that sounds extremely cliché to write, but it’s true. I am a firm believer that having cool experiences and making memories are what life is all about.
Back in May, I went to a show at Richmond Raceway. I saw The 1975, and they were incredible. The venue was big, and we were in seats pretty far from the stage. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the concert and I love the band, but the experience itself was not top notch in my book. Being in an actual numbered seat, and dancing the night away with 250 of your closest friends in the hot and sweaty pit are two polar opposite experiences. At this point in my life, I definitely prefer being in the “standing room only” area, and that might be why I was such a fan of Emo’s Austin.
At the end of October, my friend Emma and I ventured into Austin to see one of our favorite bands, COIN. They played on October 24th at a venue called Emo’s. I had heard of the venue prior to moving to Texas, and I knew I would want to attend a concert there one day. As soon as I found out COIN was playing there, I was completely sold on the idea.
Upon arrival, we immediately noticed the size and location of the venue. Emo’s is located next to a couple shops on a strip, and the vibe is really laid back. Yes, it’s pretty small, but that’s the magic. It was a rainy and slightly chilly evening, and we waited outside for about 30 minutes before going in.
As I stated earlier, the club is quite small, and it’s a standing room only venue. It was very welcoming and intimate, and it felt like a scene out of a movie. Walking around waiting for the show to start was enjoyable. Some people were queued up in front of the stage ready to rock out, some were at the merch table that was located in the back, and some were hanging out by the bar. Every element was spaced out perfectly, and it never felt overcrowded (it definitely did after the concert started, but that was to be expected). It was clean, smelled good (again, before the concert started), and all of the employees were extremely pleasant. I’m not 21 yet, but the bar looked like it had a great drink selection with fair prices. We stood really close to the stage, and even at five foot three, I had a remarkable view. The sound system was great quality, and the band was amazing.
If you’re looking for a small venue that will allow you to get up close and personal with your favorite band, Emos is a good choice. I will never forget my experience there, and will definitely keep a look out for upcoming shows.