Matt Says: The Blue Gator's upstairs is the largest venue in Athens. As such, they have a particular need to fill the venue with bands that draw well. Bands that are just starting out will more than likely not be able to get booked here on a weekend unless it is a special event or part of a larger bill. Bands like Red Wanting Blue, Guest, Ordinary Peoples, The Recipe, Tab Benoit, OAR, Ekoostik Hookah and others have played the Gator upstairs. If you're not from the region and these names don't ring a bell, all you need to know is that Jam, Funk, Blues, Hip-Hop, radio friendly Pop, or any mixture of the above seem to do well at this venue. Original music is favored over cover bands. The sound system is excellent and is easily the best in town, with separate monitor mixes for each monitor, a huge subwoofer under the stage, and the ability to record shows (ask the soundman ahead of time). The stage is a little small for a venue this large, and visually bland. Black tiles above and a plain wall behind you. If you play, you may want to spice it up with something interesting to look at or bring some lights. Smaller bands can try getting a Wednesday gig at the Gator. They have a dollar cover charge night modeled closely after another local bar in town, the Union, which also features new acts on Wednesday. The owners of this bar also own a few other store fronts in town. They plaster flyers for Gator Shows all over these properties. You're show will be well publicized if you get them material on time and don't change things around on them. Despite the large name acts, or because of it, the upstairs doesn't have a "built in crowd" yet. This may change over time. In the mean time, your band should make some effort to promote the show beyond just the fliers.

Random AMN User Comments:
This bar is sweet, the sound is good, it's not falling apart, and its one of the only large live music venues. But, I wish that such a nice venue would support their local music scene and allow local bands to book shows. It seems like the bookers only want to book jam bands or blues acts from far off lands that no one has ever heard of.
Comment By: LG
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