Tour Stop: Tuscaloosa, AL

Tuscaloosa is best known as the home of the University of Alabama, the crimson crown jewel of West Alabama. Tuscaloosa residents can always be found in their regular haunts everywhere, especially down the length of University Boulevard, affectionately known as the Strip. In this big college town, the nightlife is alive and well. The same goes for the music scene, which covers and impressive range of genres from jazz and bluegrass to punk and metal. In recent years, new cafes have started to feature live acts on a regular basis. Other changes for the better include the reincarnation of the Concourse site into a new all-ages space designed explicitly for shows. Old and cherished hangouts continue to attract big crowds, so an audience is rarely hard to come by, especially for the likes of rising Tuscaloosa bands such as The Dexateens, Leaderdog and Baak Gwai.

Book a Gig: Venues
Capture Studio Cafe
2217 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(866) 413-0756
www.capturestudiocafe.com
Capture is a studio and cafe dedicated to promoting local music, art and film. Management favors various genres of music from jazz to rock, but tends to book locally, and the capacity is small at 50. For booking, leave a message for the booking manager on Capture's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/capturestudiocafe) with a link to a band webpage or bio with song samples.

Egan's Pub
1207 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 758-9413
Located on the Strip, Egan's Pub is a favorite hangout that patrons have often praised for its familiar atmosphere, as well as for the indie rock music played there. The space is narrow and relatively small for a venue, but so much the better for the band to be up close and personal with the audience. Egan's does not have a website, so call the number listed above for more information about booking.

Jupiter's Bar and Grill
1307 University Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 248-6611
www.jupiteronthestrip.com
Jupiter's Bar and Grill features two large rooms with an overall capacity of 900 that can host large music acts and movies, making it great for big groups of people to hang out. Jupiter features everything from country to rap, but definitely no techno. For booking, contact Jeremiah Jones at jeremiah@jupiterontheestrip.com, following the booking guidelines listed on the venue website.

Little Willie's Blues and Jazz
2209 4th St.
(205) 366-0913
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
www.myspace.com/littlewillies
Little Willie's features live jazz and blues and has seen crowds larger than 100. There is live music from Tuesday through Saturday, and sometimes improv or events such as College Night on other nights of the week. The venue is located in Temerson Square next to Wilhagen's. The interior has a New Orleans-style shotgun layout with a great bar.

Swayze's Tuscaloosa
730 22nd Ave.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
www.myspace.com/swayzestuscaloosa
Formerly The Concourse, Swayze's is an all-ages show space with a capacity of 80 that specializes in punk, indie, hardcore, metal and experimental music. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited. For booking, Swayze's prefers messaging via MySpace. This venue primarily focuses on local acts unless a band's tour has traveled through Swayze's other location in Marietta, Georgia or owner Lee Hatterfield has worked with the band's promoter or agent before, so keep this in mind when planning.

Promote a Gig: Media
WVUA/90.7FM The Capstone
Rm. 288 Reese Phifer
The University of Alabama_
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
(205) 348-6461
www.wvuafm.ua.edu
The Capstone is the University of Alabama's only student-operated radio station. To promote an upcoming show, email the program director at wvuapd@sa.ua.edu or call the station. To get airtime from The Capstone, send them your music and they will decide if you fit their profile: modern, alternative, contemporary rock. If you do not fit one of their profiles, the station has many specialty shows during the night, such as Indie Blender.

Druid City Online
www.druidcityonline.com
Druid City Online is an online gateway to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and the Deep South. The calendar includes community-wide events, as well as concerts and shows. Send an email to publisher@druidcityonline.com and make sure to include a subject line in order to dodge the SPAM filters.

The Planet Weekly
www.theplanetweekly.com
This free publication is published every other Thursday and is West Alabama's most widely read publication. To promote your upcoming show, email music@theplanetweekly.com.

Gear/Repair:
Tuscaloosa Music Service, Inc.
1408 2nd Ave.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 752-7524
www.tuscaloosamusicservice.com
tusmus@bellsouth.net
Tuscaloosa Music Service is a large, popular music store that carries a wide selection of instruments, equipment and accessories. Most of the personnel are working musicians or have some kind of musical background. Depending on the severity of the problem, TMS offers emergency gear repair (excluding electronic repair). The store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Decade Music Exchange
620 14th St. #F
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 750-0095
Also a guitar pawnshop, Decade Music Exchange has a big selection of first-class string instruments and accessories, such as amp cords, pick guards, faceplates, etc. Decade can perform minor instrument repair and some emergency electronic repair, depending on the situation. Decade Music Exchange is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.