TBMC now... The Button Factory?

BarbaraC · 25-09-2007 11:42AM

I link in with TBMC alot with my music events, and I was surprised that they chose The "Button Factory" as a name, but personally I think it will go far.... its very amercianized and i just had a tour around and it is very impressive....

though on a negative note.... what is up with the logo??? ROSEY PINK??

see attached

B

bryston · 25-09-2007 05:03PM

We have been doing some work on it and trust me, I'm sure you will be impressed.

The works to the balcony and the inclusion of the rear bar into the performance space have made it a much nicer space. Plenty of wood finishes and carpet to break away from the "concrete bunker" feel it had before.

With the clout of the guys running it now, I think it'll be a great success.

Mental Mickey · 25-09-2007 10:16PM

bryston wrote:

We have been doing some work on it and trust me, I'm sure you will be impressed.

The works to the balcony and the inclusion of the rear bar into the performance space have made it a much nicer space. Plenty of wood finishes and carpet to break away from the "concrete bunker" feel it had before.

With the clout of the guys running it now, I think it'll be a great success.

What's it gonna be like for wheelchair access?? It was pretty s***e before!!!:mad:

JJ · 26-09-2007 04:39PM

Was wheelchair access bad before? I would've thought that you could just wheel in and get into the main part of the venue by the side entrance. Seated gigs might've been a different matter though.

Are there any pics of the renovations? I think the new logo looks alright. It looks more red than roesy pink.

bryston · 26-09-2007 08:04PM

I'm down there on Fri so might get a piccie.

They are doing something cool in the balcony. It has been pushed forward about 5 metres and the rear section now has a small sunken bar area that has partial height partitions between it and the seated area. Hard to describe, you have to see it to appreciate.

You access the balcony from the rear (bar area) by walking up central steps. The balcony seats will be "bench" type seating instead of individual seats. It has a much more relaxed feel to it overall.

Mental Mickey · 27-09-2007 09:37PM

JJ wrote:

Was wheelchair access bad before? I would've thought that you could just wheel in and get into the main part of the venue by the side entrance. Seated gigs might've been a different matter though.

Are there any pics of the renovations? I think the new logo looks alright. It looks more red than roesy pink.

Getting in and out of the venue wasn't a problem(apart from the f**king cobblestones), but for viewing purposes, the place is f**kin disastrous. And, you risk getting flattened in a moshpit!!!!:(

kilinick · 28-09-2007 03:06PM

As far as i know Wheelchair access will be pretty good. There is a section at the back at the bar level just before the steps which should help viewing. It has been earmarked as a wheelchair area

Mental Mickey · 28-09-2007 09:49PM

kilinick wrote:

As far as i know Wheelchair access will be pretty good. There is a section at the back at the bar level just before the steps which should help viewing. It has been earmarked as a wheelchair area

Y'see, this is what p****s me off!!?? We're always f**kin shoved to the back of an arena where the view is s***e, and we constantly have little f**kers climbing up onto the bar of the platform getting in our way!!!??? I like being up near the front, but I try to keep out of the way of the moshers!!!!

lordgoat · 28-09-2007 11:22PM

Mental Mickey wrote:

Y'see, this is what p****s me off!!?? We're always f**kin shoved to the back of an arena where the view is s***e, and we constantly have little f**kers climbing up onto the bar of the platform getting in our way!!!??? I like being up near the front, but I try to keep out of the way of the moshers!!!!

I agree completely, i've often wondered why the section is always at the back of the room?

bryston · 29-09-2007 02:04AM

Here's some shots. The lighting is bad but you can see they have broken through to what used to be the separate rear bar.

TBMC 007.jpg

TBMC 008.jpg

Mickey...the new ground floor area is formed over three "stepped" levels (the rear bar is the highest point. I guess you have a slightly better chance of getting a decent vantage point compared to the old layout.

Ro: maaan! · 29-09-2007 05:28PM

So there are two steps going the whole way across? Sounds like death trap tbh. Are there going to be barriers or anything on them? Balcony looks good though.

As for the wheelchair thing, they can't really put it anywhere other than the back. Maybe at either side right up beside the stage, but that would probably mean the speakers would be in the way. Back of TBMC isn't that far from the stage anyway.

Mental Mickey · 29-09-2007 06:59PM

Ro: maaan! wrote:

So there are two steps going the whole way across? Sounds like death trap tbh. Are there going to be barriers or anything on them? Balcony looks good though.

As for the wheelchair thing, they can't really put it anywhere other than the back. Maybe at either side right up beside the stage, but that would probably mean the speakers would be in the way. Back of TBMC isn't that far from the stage anyway.

Maybe not......? I'll probably be going to the Mayhem gig with a mate, so I'll check it out then.

If I don't like it, I won't be goin back.:mad:

bryston · 29-09-2007 11:23PM

Ro: maaan! wrote:

So there are two steps going the whole way across? Sounds like death trap tbh. Are there going to be barriers or anything on them?

I am not sure about a death trap. The first step mirrors the front of the balcony above and the second one is at the location of the half wall between the bar and venue. I guess if you were drunk enough you could trip

The steps really make the ground floor work. The bar area is designed for casual listening but you will still get good sight lines to the stage.

Ro: maaan! · 30-09-2007 12:25AM

Death trap may have been a bit extreme. I actually quite like the idea of steps like that. I often quite like to stand nearer the back at gigs. Always liked the Ambassador for that as it's on a slope and the view is very good. But I still think that a step without a barrier across it or something is likely to be very hard to see when it's dark. Probably isn't so bad if the one closest to the front is just under the beginning of the balcony though.

bryston · 30-09-2007 12:52AM

I think the first stepped section under the balcony will be a good spot to watch gigs (if you're no into moshing). The floor to ceiling height is actually much higher than it may appear in the photo.

I tried to get a decent photo looking from the bar to the stage but the lights were still being rigged and that end of the venue was dark.

This photo shows what you see as you walk in the main entrance and turn right into the bar/venue.

TBMC 010.jpg

FunkZ · 30-09-2007 01:03AM

That's a loada bollocks, it should just be renamed the Temple Bar Center of Music...

honru · 30-09-2007 08:31PM

Had a look 'round the venue during El-P last night... I believe it was the opening gig.

REALLY nice job, the place looks and feels much bigger and the whole setup is perfect. Clearly the second floor still had work to be done, either that or it was closed off.

If I had any gripes, it's pretty much lost it's down n' dirty concrete vibe. Beforehand the venue was the apt place to host most sweaty rock/metal gigs. Now the place looks more like The Village or something. Except about ten times better.

I'm all for evolution though. Bring on the buttons.

bryston · 30-09-2007 08:42PM

The balcony area is still being finished. There was a change of plans from conventional individual seating to "bench" type seating and that's held things up.
There's also a rear standing platform behind the balcony seating.

The balcony will be a really useable space (it was rubbish before). With the bench seating, you could even have a lie down if it wasn't too busy.

Freak - How did the venue sound??

JJ · 01-10-2007 12:06PM

Is the sound still good even if you're under the balcony? Also, is there good ventilation? Venues like Tripod seem to have dropped the ball when it comes to climate control.

bryston · 01-10-2007 12:59PM

The early indications are that the under balcony sound is indeed very good. One key element of the design was to maintain a good floor to ceiling height in that area which helps a lot (the ceilings even coffered to max out the height).

There's still much tweaking to be done in the coming weeks.

honru · 01-10-2007 10:51PM

bryston wrote:

Freak - How did the venue sound??

I never had problems with the sound when it was TBMC and there was no dip in the quality I've come to expect.

Soundman · 02-10-2007 01:44AM

f®eak s&#169 wrote: »

I never had problems with the sound when it was TBMC and there was no dip in the quality I've come to expect.

Cheers!

Bryston? Who are you? Andy or Brian?

JJ · 02-10-2007 01:28PM

|Cookies wrote:

well i was right up at the stage i could feel a nice breeze from time to time;)

Good to know, now I just need a gig to come along at TBF that I'd be interested in going to.

eth0_ · 02-10-2007 01:48PM

f®eak s&#169 wrote: »

I never had problems with the sound when it was TBMC and there was no dip in the quality I've come to expect.

Jaysus...i've often found the sound at gigs in TBMC to be quite muddy. Not atrocious like the sound in the Village (whoever designed that venue should be shot), but not brilliant. I blamed this on the design of the room.

It looks really nice now, just hope the sound isn't any worse :P

Oh, did they do up the toilets? The ladies' toilets there was always really vile.

JJ · 02-10-2007 01:57PM

I think the sound at the old TBMC depended on the soundman. That's kinda the situation at most gigs but at the old TBMC, I think you needed an exceptional soundman to make sure the sound was good. I remember seeing one band play there and they told me their soundman worked all day tweeking everything and the gig turned out most excellent.

The toilets is another good question. The men's toilet was pretty vile too.

honru · 02-10-2007 08:17PM

I'm not an expert but I can usually tell if the sound is ****e, perfect or somewhere inbetween. TBMC was no Vicar Street, but I can't recall a gig sounding atrocious there.

Zombienosh · 02-10-2007 11:06PM

Ive always really liked the music centre for gigs, good sound and a good size.

so whats it called now?

Soundman · 02-10-2007 11:21PM

AlcoholicA wrote:

so whats it called now?

I hope you are being funny.

bryston · 02-10-2007 11:32PM

Soundman wrote:

Bryston? Who are you? Andy or Brian?

http://www.bryston.ca/28bsst_m.html

Soundman · 03-10-2007 01:56AM

Fine then. Don't reveal your identity. I WILL find out though!

TBMC now... The Button Factory?

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