Venue Review: The Frequency
frequency.pngA few years ago I realized something: I didn’t really enjoy myself at big arena shows. Even if I really liked a band a lot, and even if they played well, the huge crowd, the hassle, and the distance between me and the band kept it from being a really excellent experience. There was never any personal connection with the performers. In a lot of ways, I felt like I was just checking something off a list or seeing it just so I’d be able to say I’d done so.
Small local shows are in many ways the opposite. When there are few dozen people in the room, the band is able to play to each of them. The personality and energy of the crowd becomes a meaningful part of the show in a way that could never happen in a larger venue. For a fraction of the cost of a big national tour at the Alliant Energy Center, I can see a show a mile from home that I’ll enjoy more. It’s an easy win.
I made it to The Frequency for the first time last weekend when I went to the Dane101 fundraiser. A local music scene thrives on venues like this that are small enough for a newer band’s friends to make a dent in filling the room, big enough to support a solid crowd for a popular event, and designed well to make it easy to have a good time.
The Slipper Club, the Frequency’s predecessor at 121 W. Main St, suffered a bit from layout problems. The stage was at an awkward angle, so the band wasn’t quite sure where to look; it’s hard to describe, but it impacted the dynamic for shows. In the current configuration, the stage is at the back of the rear room, as far back from the street as you can get. Adequate anechoic material on the speakers and walls keeps the not-too-large room from turning into a King Club-esque echo chamber. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring earplugs, but you won’t need them for an acoustic act.
The front half of the space is a separate bar with a curtained off choke point separating it from the room with the stage. Similar to the now-defunct Luther’s Blues, this means that people who want to have a drink at the bar don’t disturb folks watching the show and can hear each other talk.
The Frequency was a great location for last weekend’s show, and I look forward to seeing more there in the future.
Quite.
Agreed. I really dig the space, and look forward to seeing/playing shows there in the future.
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thelostalbatross.blogspot.com
I did notice on Saturday
I did notice on Saturday that Frequency does sell ear plugs at the bar for a dollar.
I'm glad that folks like the
I'm glad that folks like the space. I know that Darwin and the rest of the staff are doing everything that they can to make the place successful and to promote local live music. I enjoyed playing there with my band and I'm happy to spend a couple of nights a week there helping out, even if it does make getting to my day job at 8am tough.
another awesome thing about the frequency
from their website: "Anything made at the door is split amongst the bands equally"
are there any venues in madison that don't take most of the door? seriously. thats unreal fantastic.
quixoticgoat.blogspot.com
Yes...and that's the reason
Yes...and that's the reason why the fundraiser did so well. We just went downstairs, counted up the money from the door and that was it. It was that easy and based primarily on how many people we got in the door. It seems like the fair way to do business and am frankly surprised no other venues have done it like this way before.
I also kind of liked that the door guy was moved. It was a really a smart move on their side since now people can come in, listen to some local music and not have to pay in case they weren't going to see the band.
Me likey The Frequency
free preview
Yeah, I thought that was a good idea too. It takes out a little of the uncertainty if you're going to see a new act you've never heard before.
It may be the fair way to do
It may be the fair way to do business...but that doesn't mean that it is an easy thing to do. The Frequency pays the sound guy and the guy taking the money at the door out of money made selling drinks...every bit of money collected at the door goes to the bands. That essentially means that we have to sell that many more drinks to break even on paying staff. I understand why other bars do it differently...because the economics can be a hard reality. But The Frequency has a commitment to live music and to working musicians and I think that Darwin wants to do the right thing. Hopefully enough people will come out and buy drinks or a pizza so that we can continue to do business the way that seems fair. So tell your friends...
Sounds great,
Looking forward to checking it out. A small venue that has a separate space for those more interested in the bar than the band? A dream come true.
I've been playing there
I've been playing there every other Thursday with Marcus King & Thee Royalty and it's been a good experience. Good sound, good beer, nice space (haven't tried those pizzas yet).
(our last regular Thursday show is tomorrow!)
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