Portland, Maine
As Maine’s largest city, Portland is the state’s cultural, social and economic capital. Tourists are drawn year round to the city’s historic Old Port district, which features an eclectic array of restaurants, bars and stores. Currently experiencing a building boom, the popular Congress Street has become home to even more stores and eateries, spurred on by the expanding Maine College of Art, making it an essential stop for any tour. Offering a wide demographic and great variety of venues, this city is well worth the trip up north, especially if you are on the road to Augusta and Bangor.
Guide to Gigging in Portland
Book a Gig: Venues
Geno’s Rock Club
625 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 221-2382
www.myspace.com/genosrockclub
A real rock venue smack dab in the center of the arts district. FYI: Geno’s books months in advance and gets a lot of submissions. Read through their MySpace blog to get a feel for the place, and then contact genosrockclub@yahoo.com.
Strange Maine
578 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 771-9997
www.kraag.org/strange
This offbeat, used items store doubles as a music venue on weekend evenings. Strange Maine welcomes performances from unique, experimental and marginalized musicians. For booking, call Brendan at the number above between noon and 9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.
Space / Alternative Arts Venue
538 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 828-5600
www.space538.org
This venue — which also functions as a visual arts and film gallery — was named one of “America’s 40 Best Music Venues” by Paste Magazine. Visit the website for booking guidelines.
The Big Easy
55 Market Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-2266
www.bigeasyportland.com
This downtown club hosts bands seven days a week. For booking, contact Justin Hendrickson at booking@bigeasyportland.com or call (207) 232-9767.
The Soundpost
108 High Street
Blue Door, 2nd Floor
Portland, ME 04101
www.myspace.com/thesoundpost
This underground venue presents original (and often experimental) music, film and visual art. For booking, contact thesoundpost@gmail.com.
The Dogfish Bar and Grille
128 Free Street
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 772-5483
www.thedogfishbarandgrille.com
This informal restaurant books local and national blues, acoustic and jazz performers most days of the week. Their Wednesday open mic is a great way to get acquainted with the venue. For booking, contact Michele Arcand at marcand@thedogfishbarandgrille.com or call (207) 772-5483.
The North Star Café
225 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 699-2994
www.northstarmusiccafe.com
Just a few months old, this restaurant/café/pub was created with musicians in mind. Located on the up-and-coming Munjoy Hill, this neighborhood gathering space hosts acoustic musicians from Maine and away. For booking, contact Anna Maria at booking@northstarcafe.net.
Blue
650A Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-4111
www.portcityblue.com
This intimate nightclub has built a reputation as a community-oriented venue. Live music tends to be of the roots variety, with genres spanning from jazz and blues to Celtic to Middle Eastern. For booking, contact the number above.
Promote a Gig: Media
WMPG 90.9 FM, 104.1 FM
University of Southern Maine
96 Falmouth Street
Portland, ME 04104
www.wmpg.org
WMPG is a community radio station operated at the University of Southern Maine. Subscribe to their online newsletter to receive advance announcements of their on-air open mics. For contact information, visit the website above.
The Bollard
11 Cushman Street
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 871-1006
www.thebollard.com
This independent online magazine’s thorough coverage of Portland music includes event listings, a club guide and CD reviews. Contact the editor at the number listed above or at editor@thebollard.com.
The Portland Phoenix
16 York Street, Suite 102
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 773-8900
www.thephoenix.com/portland
This free weekly covers arts and entertainment in the greater Portland area. To register as an artist on their online band guide, visit www.thephoenix.com/
bandguide. Send event listings to submit@phx.com.
Gear/ Repairs
Guitar Grave
441 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-4414
www.guitargrave.com
This funky, independent, downtown retailer welcomes special orders and consignments. The owner also runs an eBay store of the same name.
Buckdancer’s Choice
24B St. John Street
Union Station Plaza
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 774-2219
www.buckdancers.com
Maine’s largest musical instrument retail store, Buckdancer’s Choice offers new and used instruments for beginners and professionals. This all-service store also offers lessons and repairs, as well as a custom line of string instruments.
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