Charleston, SC

Charleston has had a tough time lately in the music scene, with a good number of reputable music venues closing. Within a year the city has seen Cumberland’s, Bert’s Bar, City Bar and Map Room close, with few popping up to take their place. It’s a trend which seems to be slowing down at last, and the live music scene is doing it’s best to recover. Larger venues like The Pour House and Music Farm have been doing their fair share to keep the scene alive, by hosting great regional and national acts. Being a beach town, there will be a good many tourists, but the locals are still lovers of music,

having welcomed Band of Horses from Seattle and spawned Lindsey Holler and John Pringle. Get in touch with the bands who have made the city’s music great to make a connection when it comes to booking a gig, so you can be sure to get the locals turning up to your show. Since the city has larger venues carrying the live music torch, finding a larger touring band’s show to jump onto could also be a plus. Though not on any direct tour route, the city is an easy five hours from Atlanta, two hours from Columbia, three hours from Charlotte and a pleasant coastal four-hour drive to Wilmington.

Book a Gig: Venues

Music Farm

32 Ann St.,

Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 722-8904

www.musicfarm.com

Having gone under a huge renovation with new owners John Ellison and MarshallLowe, this 850-capacity venue is the prime spot for larger shows. The construction has brought perks like new clean toilets which have had Charleston buzzing, though bands might be more interested in the expanded stage and cleared balcony. Bands have to be on par with The Drive-By Truckers to do the venue justice, so be prepared to bring the audience. Email Lowe at marshall@allinent.com to get a gig.

The Pour House

1977 Maybank Hwy.,

Charleston, SC 29412

(843) 571-4343

www.charlestonpourhouse.com

This all-ages, 450-capacity venue has its own way of booking, so fill out the form

linked to from the Contact page to get a gig. The genres reach across the board;

from funk to country, rock to reggae. An added bonus is the webcast that goes out with every show, which can be viewed on the Charleston Crystal Ball (www.

charlestoncrystalball.com).

The Black Cart

54 John St.,

Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 965-5254

www.myspace.com/theblackcart

Opened in the fall of 2007, The Black Cart hasn’t been around long but is a welcome

new addition to the dwindling number of venues in Charleston. The club is definitely

on the rough ‘n’ ready side, with acts like Joe Buck Yourself (bassist for Hank III) packing the place. To book a gig, send a message through the venue’s MySpace page.

The Mill

1026 East Montague Ave.,

North Charleston, SC 29405

(843) 225-2650

www.myspace.com/themilllounge

Though the club might be more known for it’s excellent BBQ and importance in the

revitalization of North Charleston’s old East Montague neighborhood, The Mill Lounge

also features an array of local music on the weekends and open mic nights on Monday.The Mill has only been open as this recent incarnation since last summer, but it’s already getting lots of great attention. The fact that it was also once a bar for blue collar workers from the neighboring factories and shipyard also adds to its great vibe, with much of the décor echoing the history of the area. To book a gig send a message via the MySpace.

Promote a Gig: Media

Charleston City Paper

1049 B Morrison Drive,

Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 577-5304 (ext. 118)

www.charlestoncitypaper.com

The free weekly alternative rag also has a great website with comprehensive listings. Both versions have calendars and spotlights on bands of all genres. Email music editor T. Ballard Lesemann at ballard@charlestoncitypaper.com to get a listing or a possible article. There is also the option of advertising online (blair@ charlestoncitypaper.com). The website is also a great source for musicians looking to book a gig.

College of Charleston Radio

172 Calhoun St,

Charleston, SC 29424

(843) 953-7252

www.cofcradio.com

Right now the station is online only, though it hopes to make the leap to the airwaves in the fall of 2008. To get your music played, send your CD to music director Tony Lauricella or email him at radioprogramming@cofc.edu or radiopr@cofc.edu to get your upcoming show listed on the site and on the station.

Gear/Repairs

Ye Olde Music Shop

1276 Yeamans Hall Road,

Hanahan, SC 29406

(843) 747-0014

www.yeoldemusicshop.com

Though the store stocks the usual guitars, bass, amps, drums and keyboards, Ye

Olde Music Shop supplies (as the name suggests) hard to find instruments. The

store is one of the oldest and reputable record shops in Charleston. The store offers repairs, lessons and free tuning, the latter of which is especially handy on the road. Chances are though, with lots of goodies available, you’ll probably end up buying something while the work is being done anyway. Check the online catalog for deals on deleted, demo, or overstocked items. Email michael@yeoldemusicshop.com to book an appointment.