14D
OFF THE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
ENTERTAINMENT
Lawrence offers fun music scene
From downtown to residence halls, students can't escape music-soaked culture
(top) Fall Out Boy's vocalist Patrick Stamp bets out a song while performing in Lawrence. (above) Fall Out Boy's bass-lyricist Pete Wentz performs in Lawrence. The band is one of many that performs locally.
BY NATALIE JOHNSON
You can't separate Lawrence from its music.
Music is the city's pride, entertainment and soul. Lawrence's inhabitants live in a music-soaked, music-cloaked world. Music leaks from venue doors and blasts from open residence hall room windows.
Streetcorner saxophone and guitar players provide a soundtrack to downtown evenings.
In September 2005, Spin magazine called Lawrence the "alwaysdependable indie rock haven," but the city has a lot more than indie rock.
There are open mic nights, poetry readings and karaoke. There are scores of local bands and frequent famous ones. Most shows cost $5 or less, and many are for 18-and-over patrons.
Countless venues around town plays host to a variety of music events on a nightly basis.
Music is on the radio, picked up from various Kansas City and Topeka stations and from the studentrun KJHK, a lesson in eclecticism via airwaves.
Fliers for wanted drummers and bassists cluster on bulletin boards, haphazardly pinned over layers and layers of glossy concert posters, open mic night ads and neon DJ filers.
For example, in a given week, the Jackpot Saloon, 943 Massachusetts St., has 16 bands, a DJ and a variety night — all for an 18-and-over audience. The highest cover for the week is $6.
Jared Gabel, 2004 graduate, started his band Gryphyn in 2003. He practiced with a few friends, and started playing with another band at the Jazzhaus, a well-known venue at
Lawrence has a great climate for burgeoning artists too.
The Granada, here since 1928 at 1020 Massachusetts St., has live music almost every night, always for those under 21, with tickets between $5 and $20. Past bands there include Something Corporate, Phantom Planet and Tech N9ne.
Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., is usually a movie theater, but about three times a month turns into a large venue for concerts, said manager Rob Fitzgerald. Liberty Hall rents the 1000-seat venue to concert promoters around town.
926 1/2 Massachusetts St.
Gabel says being in a band in college was a great experience.
"Sometimes I should have been studying," he said. "But it was awesome to be out partying, at a club, and sometimes people would recognize you."
Mike Tiffany is a promoter for Hunt Industries, a local music promotion company.
Tiffany said he finds support for various kinds of music here.
Downtown is
"We do everything from country to hip hop to metal to rock," he said. "It's a very friendly place to music. You've got downtown, with five main venues in three blocks."
annually right on campus.
On the books for the fall are two guest dance companies, two musicals, two chamber music concerts and a string quartet piece about civil rights leaders.
Downtown is just the beginning for the Lawrence music scene.
The University also has an excellent music program that offers frequent concerts, symphonies and opera.
The University of Kansas' Lied Center offers dozens of productions
"Sometimes I should have been studying. But it was awesome to be out partying, at a club,and sometimes people would recognize you."
ARED GABEL 2004 graduate
Lawrence is a haven for those who know a lot about music and an educator for those who don't.
Whether you like going to concerts three times a week, or prefer your music to be in the background, Lawrence music fits the bill.
"Lawrence is one of the great scenes. People are more aware of what's going on. People are more supportive," Tiffany said.
Kansan staff member Natalie Johnson can be reached at njohnson@kansan.com