Tri-Cities, WA
Located 225 miles southeast of Seattle and 215 miles east of Portland, the Tri-Cities community of Richland, Pasco and Kennewick is the largest metropolitan area in southeast Washington. Located in the Columbia Basin where the Yakima, Snake and Columbia rivers converge, the Tri-Cities area not only boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, but a healthy, all-ages music scene and a reputation for the most enthusiastic crowds in the state. Hardcore, metal and punk are making a comeback in the Tri-Cities, and hip-hop, indie rock, folk and jazz abound. Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland packs the local venues with plenty of young music devotees, and music festivals like the Yakima Folklife Festival and the Untapped Blues Festival spice up the summer months. For Seattle and Portland bands looking for a more energetic crowd, the Tri-Cities area is the perfect nearby destination; for those touring the West Coast, it is a natural midway point between Spokane and Seattle.
GUIDE TO GIGGING IN TRI-CITIES
Book a Gig: Venues
RAY'S GOLDEN LION
1353 GEORGE WASHINGTON WAY
RICHLAND, WA 99352
(509) 946-0606
www.myspace.com/raysgoldenlion
This popular, 350-person venue is predominantly all-ages and one of the best in the area for hardcore, punk, rock and metal, though it hosts hip-hop, dub and mellower indie rock shows as well. Prior to a show, Ella will post a band Q & A on Ray's MySpace page. To book, email Dustin a link two months in advance at booking@atomiccityrecords.com.
321
321 W. KENNEWICK AVENUE
KENNEWICK, WA 99336
www.funkytonkrecords.com
A small community art space, 321 is always all-ages and welcomes indie rock, folk, experimental and jazz any night of the week. Shows are organized by local record label Funkytonk Records. To book, send a music link to Tim Leingang or Mallory London at booking@funkytonkrecords.com two to three months in advance. Bands can promote their upcoming shows on the Funkytonk Records message board.
PARKADE BAR AND GRILL
207 W. KENNEWICK AVENUE
KENNEWICK, WA 99336
(509) 586-6006
www.myspace.com/parkadebarandgrill
Located in downtown Kennewick, the Parkade is a favorite amongst the 21-and-up crowd. The 100-person capacity venue hosts live rock, alt-country and punk every Friday night, and open mic nights every Wednesday. To book, contact Dustin at booking@atomiccityrecords.com two months in advance.
IVORY JAZZ
101 W. KENNEWICK AVENUE
KENNEWICK, WA 99336
(509) 585-8877
www.ivoryjazz.com
Located in downtown Kennewick, this trendy, all-ages jazz/art/wine bar hosts live jazz and bluegrass Tuesday through Saturday nights. To book, send Rick Eaton a link at rick@ivoryjazz.com two months in advance.
THE JAM SHACK
2270 TEAR ROAD
GRANDVIEW, WA 98930
(509) 949-6797
www.myspace.com/asoberbreath
The area's newest all-ages venue, located in nearby Grandview, the Shack hosts live metal, punk and rock shows every Friday night. To book, contact Brian through MySpace or by phone three months in advance. The non-profit organization that puts on shows here also hosts the Evergreen Musicfest - a three-day, all-ages rock fest in September.
YAKIMA SPORTS CENTER
214 E. YAKIMA AVENUE
YAKIMA, CA 98901
(509) 453-4647
www.yakimasportscenter.com
The Yakima Sports Center, 75 miles away in the heart of downtown Yakima, is a hot spot for indie rock, folk and pop every Friday and Saturday night. To book, send a CD with contact info and a basic one-sheet to Dan Craig at the address above well in advance.
Promote a Gig: Media
TRI-CITY HERALD
P.O. BOX 2608
PASCO, WA 99302
(509) 582-1514
www.tri-cityherald.com
This local daily serves all of southeastern Washington and has an A&E section, a local music blog, "Bethzilla," and an entertainment website, atomictown.com, that features music reviews, interviews and an upcoming show calendar. Submit CDs to Dori O'Neal at the address above, and event info to doneal@tricityherald.com.
KTCV 88.1 FM
5929 W. METALINE AVENUE
KENNEWICK, WA 99336
(509) 222-5670
This independent, student-run radio station hosts frequent in-studio interviews and performances, and announces upcoming shows on the air. Send CDs to the address above for airplay, and call Ed Dailey at the phone number above at least a week in advance about events and in-studios.
REACTOR MAGAZINE
POB 2163
RICHLAND, WA 99352
www.reactormag.com
This free quarterly mag has an online music bulletin where bands can post their upcoming shows. Send CDs to the address above for review consideration and email Aaron at word@reactormag.com to request a live show review.
Gear/ Repairs
TED BROWN MUSIC
2600 N. COLUMBIA CTR BLVD #102
RICHLAND, WA 99352
(509) 783-3481
www.tedbrownmusic.com
Ted Brown Music has a wide selection of guitars, keyboards, drums, amps and pro audio gear, and offers instrument rentals and emergency walk-in repair on guitars and electronics. Open weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays.
MUSIC MACHINE
212 W. KENNEWICK AVENUE
KENNEWICK, WA 99336
(509) 582-3568
www.musicmachineguitars.com
Music Machine has a huge selection of new and used acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, amps and accessories. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays.
|
