Good Venues for Dublin CD Launch?

bluevoice

Hiya -

My band and I will be launching our debut album soon, and I want to have a bi-coastal launch. One in the West (in Galway, venue already sorted) - and one in Dublin. I'm up in The Pale today, looking around, and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for venues?

Specs: We are a 5 piece, roots rock band. Bigger sound. For the launch I'm looking for affordable, central and medium sized. A PA would be great, but we do have our own. A bar would be good to attract more listeners.

Thanks for any help!

unclebill98

Workmansclub and grand social. Both located on the keys near the hapenny bridge.

Just did work in both of them and found them good. Grand social PA is far better but up stairs is an issue.

Both have sub par lights in them.

Phazer

+1 for the Grand Social.
Was there for an ep launch about a month ago and was pretty good!

bluevoice

Phazer wrote: »

+1 for the Grand Social.
Was there for an ep launch about a month ago and was pretty good!

Thanks a mil. I took a look at their website, and I think they might be a bit big for our current needs. Someday we'll pack a 300 capacity venue but for now we might want to go smaller.

I took a look at The Twisted Pepper, the venue in back looks good. Anyone played there? What's it like?

What size room are you looking for?

bluevoice

Pappa Dolla wrote: »

What size room are you looking for?

Smallish, I'd say. I think we can get 100 people in. I be really happy with that actually, but it's always better, as they say to book small and look big than the other way around.

I also need affordable, as my budget is small and we'll be travelling up from the west.

Hmmm... Off the top of my head:

Upstairs in Whelan's 80-100 peeps (I think)
Upstairs in Anseo max 60 peeps
Sweeney Mongrel 100-120 peeps (You could have your launch as part of one of their regular nights - Thursday's are usually pretty busy)
I dunno how rocky you are, but there's Gypsy Rose on the quays (140-180ish, smaller upstairs)
I like the Workmans, but I'd say it could be too big for you (Around 160-200 peeps)
Oh and The Pint. But I haven't actually been there, so no idea what it's like.

unclebill98

Out of all those mentioned the grand social is the better.

One thing to note is the on stage monitoring is not on the same level as foh. So spend time making sure you get the most of them.

From my point of view everyone was a pleasure to deal with. I'm not in a band but was doing work for a band playing there.

Grand Social is great. But from my experience it's better to play to a packed room that holds 80 than to play a 300 seater room that's only a third full with 100 people.

unclebill98

Very true. 80-100 in there would give a good vibe.

Not a fan of the layout of up stairs in whealans. There's been previous treads about the point! A for the others, no idea of the spec of gear which some bands don't worry about.

Malice

What about The Mercantile on Dame Street where Boardstock happened last year?

raindog.promo

Deleted User wrote: »

Upstairs in Anseo max 60 peeps

Has Anseo got a PA?

bluevoice

Thanks a mil guys - I'm back in the west now, and wasn't able to physically check out as many of the venues as if hoped, but I've got a few ideas now at least and will begin inquiries!

Any more ideas are welcome- I'll be booking this week.

stevood

If your looking to do it this side of chrsitmas I would get booking this week. A lot of places are booked up till the new year bar the odd few mon tues and wed.

mehfesto

unclebill98 wrote: »

Both have sub par lights in them.

Speaking as a photographer, other than the Olympia and the O2 (and perhaps the Button Factory at a push), every venue in this country has sub-par lighting. The Academy is perhaps the worst of the lot. They have the equipment, but refuse to use it.

Anyway, Sweeneys would be good for this. Get a good crowd there - good mix of passers by and music nuts.

Steer clear of the Button Factory though - it's a great venue, but i've seen some bands launch there and even though about 100 turned up, it looked dead.

saffron22

If you are give me a shout. Could boost your numbers a bit maybe and we'd be happy just to play. Wouldn't expect anything

www.reverbnation.com/10yearlull

30 / 35 min set

bluevoice

saffron22 wrote: »

If you are give me a shout. Could boost your numbers a bit maybe and we'd be happy just to play. Wouldn't expect anything

www.reverbnation.com/10yearlull

30 / 35 min set

I think we're sorted already - but I will PM you if the person we have ends up unable to play - thanks a mil for the offer!

unclebill98

mehfesto wrote: »

Speaking as a photographer, other than the Olympia and the O2 (and perhaps the Button Factory at a push), every venue in this country has sub-par lighting. The Academy is perhaps the worst of the lot. They have the equipment, but refuse to use it.

Very true. A few led par cans and that's your lot. Some bands under estimate what a proper light show can give your performance.

benestoria2

For what you are looking to do i would suggest the pint....it holds about 80-100 people nice size stage great sound and its pretty cheap...and if you are looking for a support band to bring a few more heads my band are always looking to play