Tour Stop: Bangor, Maine
Located in central Maine, Bangor, the state’s third largest city, is well situated to serve as a short detour between Boston and Montreal, and is also just a two-hour drive from Portland. In keeping with Maine’s individualistic style, Bangor has a thriving local rock scene and a high volume of clubs and bars. In nearby Orono, the University of Maine hosts many shows throughout the year, in addition to providing an enthusiastic audience for live acts in the area. The region also boasts a wide range of independent media, and in late August, Bangor plays host to the American Folk Festival, a three-day extravaganza held on the city’s waterfront. If you’re touring in the summer, be sure to make the short trip southeast to the seaside resort town of Bar Harbor.
Guide to Gigging in Bangor
BOOK A GIG: VENUES
Club Underground
1606 Outer Hammond Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
www.myspace.com/clubug
Each Friday and Saturday night, Club Underground hosts all-ages, “chemical-free” punk, emo, indie, and noise shows in their low-budget warehouse location. Club Underground showcases four to six bands a night, and works to establish a good mix of local and touring bands. For booking, send a MySpace message to Mike.
Woodman’s Bar and Grill
31 Main Street
Orono, Maine 04473
(207) 866-4040
www.woodmansorono.com
Woodman’s Bar and Grill is an upscale restaurant and bar in downtown Orono, catering to a mature UMaine audience and older fans of good beer and music. On Saturday nights, performances range from rock to jazz to acoustic. Every Monday night the bar hosts a popular bluegrass jam session. Call Mark for booking.
Fuzion
123 Franklin Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 942-3112
www.myspace.com/clubfuzion_fzn
Fuzion is a downtown bar and nightclub with a good mix of local and touring rock acts almost every night of the week. The nightclub also runs differently-themed open mic nights. Call for booking.
Thistles Restaurant
175 Exchange Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 945-5480
www.thistlesrestaurant.com
This fine dining Latin American restaurant features live music Thursday through Saturday nights. Thistles Restaurant is a good venue for classical guitar and piano, Latin American and world music ensembles, and jazz groups.
Carmen Verandah
119 Main Street
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
(207) 288-2766
www.carmenverandah.com
This trendy restaurant/bar/concert venue hosts rock and acoustic acts, as well as open mics, every weekend during the April-November holiday season. For booking, mail a CD to PO Box 10, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Bear Brew Pub & Soma 36
36 Main Street
Orono, Maine
(207) 866-2739
www.myspace.com/clubsoma36
The Bear Brew Pub is a popular UMaine brewery and pizza joint. The large venue was renovated last year, adding trendy dance club Soma 36 upstairs from the main restaurant. Shows range from electronica DJ nights to hip-hop to indie rock and jam bands. Call
for booking.
Sports Café
19 Mill Street
Orono, Maine 04473
(207) 866-4061
This bar, restaurant, and concert venue used to be the beloved Blues Café, and re-opened in March as the renovated Sports Café. It is a popular live music destination throughout the week, especially with UMaine students, and hosts 21+ rock and folk shows. Call Mike for booking.
PROMOTE A GIG: MEDIA
WERU 102.9FM
1186 Acadia Hwy
Orland, Maine 04431
(207) 469-6600
www.weru.org
WERU serves Eastern Maine and boasts shows focusing on numerous genres. The “Artist of the Week” feature highlights under-the-radar musicians who will be in the area. Mail submissions, or check the website to contact a DJ directly.
WMEB 91.9FM
5748 Memorial Union
Orono, Maine 04469
(207) 581-4341
www.wmeb.umaine.edu
The University of Maine at Orono’s radio station actively recruits on-air performances, and with a huge variety of shows, it’s a great resource for all types of musicians to promote themselves.
Bangor Daily News
PO Box 1329
491 Main Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 990-8000
www.bangordailynews.com
Submit listing information via the website’s “Submit Your News” feature. The Daily News’ Emily Burnham covers local pop culture on “The Rock Blogster,” and her list of “The Five Things To Do This Weekend” revolves mainly around live shows. Email her with show info.
GEAR/ REPAIRS
Knapp’s Music Center
51 Main Street
Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 947-8888
www.knappsmusic.com
Knapp’s features a large selection of instruments and does repairs. Its hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Northern Kingdom Music
349 Harlow Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 947-6450
www.nkmusic.com
This large but locally owned music shop has a huge in-store stock of new and vintage instruments. They specialize in woodwind repairs, but can service all instruments and equipment.
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