Venue Review: THE STUDIO @ WEBSTER HALL

http://www.websterhall.com/thestudio/new/

125 E 11th Street 

(between 3rd Avenue and Broadway)

Recommended Booker: 

Chip Su  (chipstarz@gmail.com)

Backline/Sound: Full backline; Better than average sound.

Vibe: A mini-basement version of Webster Hall's main floor, with hardwood floors and a giant bar. Rugged, but still clean looking. Think bowling alley... without bowling. 

Capacity: 400

Clout on the NYC Circuit: It's a staple 2nd tier venue. (1st Tier: 700+ capacity; 2nd tier: 300+; 3rd tier: 100-300; 4th tier: bars/cafes <100.) If you're a NYC band (hell, even if you're not), dropping the name "Webster Hall" may get everyone's panties in a ruffle - as well it should. The venue is one of the last that remain successful, with the mainstage frequently boasting sold out performances of its 1000+ capacity theatre. The "little sister" Studio has been doing equally well, and while its capacity is much smaller, it has been the choice spot for many big indie bands (Das Racist, Florence + The Machine, Girl in a Coma, Gogol Bordello) and big names (CMJ and MTV) to hold intimate events.

Internal Draw: It greatly depends on the draw of the bands you book with, but bands are strongly encouraged to pre-sell at least 50 tickets before the show, so expect a crowd of your fans and people sticking around for sets before and after yours. (~10, 7-9pm. ~25, 9-11pm)

Pros: If you want star treatment with all the fixin's, including a backstage area, a Marshall stack on stage, professional lighting/sound, and physical tickets with your name on them, by all means book here. When my band booked here, we thoroughly enjoyed the VIP/backstage area off the right wing of the stage, where we got to watch the action from a comfy couch. The venue even supplied us with a carton of free beer/water! From an audience's perspective, everything about the way the venue handles itself is pro and indicative of the upper tier of music venues - certainly makes an impression from a visual and promotional standpoint. Also, chances are that if you're booked with some other similar-genre'd bands, you'll be making some great connections that night.

Cons: You shouldn't - I repeat - you should not book here unless you can bring at LEAST (read: don't even think about less, B!) 30 people. Not the fluffy 30, not the 25-30 you claim on being able to bring when you're just starting out as a band and want to look like you have a draw. This is not for beginners or lazy self-promoters, so tread lightly. Not only will you not get paid, but the chances of being able to book here again are slim to none. ::cough cough:: blacklist ::cough:: Speaking about payment, also be prepared to not get paid much. The Studio @ WB has the suckiest payout of 2nd tier venues - again, based on a really good draw, you're still not getting more than $2-3 per ticket sold, and you're sure as hell not getting a percentage of the bar, so you better have some merch to sell or you won't have money for the ride home. Also, in order to make sure you sound great, I recommend you do a sound check with them...they like their sound checks VERY early in the day (say, oh, 3pm?) Reason being they run a very tight shift trying to get bands on and off stage quickly, and it's always better for them to know how you want your levels beforehand. Also, I've gotten numerous complaints from fans that the drinks are both expensive and watered down, so you might want to pre-game with them at the Pourhouse...if you wanna be nice.

     There's a conversation I've been having with other performing artists about whether booking bigger venues, where the effort to promote, get a good crowd out, and get paid, is ultimately worth it. (Honestly, I play into the name game without even meaning to do so. It's like someone asking you what you got on your SAT's or what college you went to, if you mention you've played this venue, you're sure to get props from the industry and noobs alike. Doesn't mean I like it, or I don't feel dirty. I feel very, very dirty. Yech.) 

     And it's true that the success of your night here at Webster is entirely up to you. You have to do all the leg work. But that being said, if you're willing to do it, you're going to have a memorable night. I'll say that about most of the other big venues that book indie, well, unless they don't stick to their word (and you have no idea how many venues do that!)...at least I can say that the people running Webster Hall won't screw you. At least, not unintentionally. A word of advice: if you do ask for pre-sale tix, make sure to hold on to every last one of them you DON'T sell, or you're going to be charged for the money you didn't give them in sales...

    This is a situation where you need to make friends with the booker and get the lowdown; better yet - check the Studio calendar and try to get on a like-minded bill. The best thing you can do is play a show with other bands whose fans could dig your sounds (This is of course, always true, but especially here!). Otherwise, you're gonna go home completely empty-handed. ::makes scrunchy-nose face::

  

Overall Impression: Go for broke or go home, rookies.

(SJATM at The Studio @ Webster Hall, 1/16/12. Lais Marchioro, photog.)

(backstage swag at The Studio. Sylvana Opris, photog.)