Portland is having a moment. Actually, it’s more like a decade. The craft beer scene continues to expand, our food choices are varied and delicious, and music venues are keeping pace as this Rolling Stone article highlights in “Inside Portland, Maine’s Wildly Ambitious Music Scene“.
I have been passionate about Bruce Springsteen’s music since my college days. We got tickets to his Tunnel of Love Tour at the Worcester Centrum. This was back in the day when you had to call for tickets. Redialing again and again until that magic moment when you heard ringing instead of the fast buzz of the busy signal. We got our tickets. They did happen to be in the very last row at the back of the 38,000 seat arena. While Springsteen always puts on a great show, we watched that one on the large video monitors setup throughout the concert space.
I have seldom returned to stadium shows since that one. It’s not an enjoyable musical experience. I prefer a more intimate one. Fortunately, I live in the right state.
Goldilocks would have loved Portland. It’s the perfect size city: not too big, not too small, but just right. It has everything you need, but it’s not so big as to be overwhelming. Our music scene is the same, with intimate venues that allow you be a part of the musical experience instead of an observer.
Here are some local venues to check out:
State Theatre
I’m partial to the State Theatre dressed up in all her Art Deco charm. They always get an amazing lineup of shows. I’ve seen Nate Ruess during his solo tour for Grand Romantic, gone to a few comedy shows, one of which I blogged about previously in my post Standup Comedy with Chris Hardwick and his ID10T Tour at State Theatre, and attended the live tour for the Stuff You Should Know podcast. They always have an interesting line up of shows. Next up for us is Whose Live Anyway? An improve show with the current cast members of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Port City Music Hall
This smaller venue is primarily standing room only with a small ring of seating off to the sides. I’ve seem both music and comedy at this venue too, including T.J. Miller, JoJo, and a Bruce Springsteen cover band. It’s a nice, small intimate space.
Maine State Pier
This outside venue is on one of the piers in Portland harbor which a coastal vibe and stunning ocean views. I’ve only been to one show at the pier, Bare Naked Ladies. I remember a little girl at the show dancing and swaying to the music with such joy. It was a high energy performance. Watching the band while simultaneously watching the sunset over the harbor was wonderful.
Thompson’s Point
This is another outside venue that hosts concerts in the summer. While a little larger than the other sites, it still maintains a casual, festival like atmosphere with food trucks and a large back lawn to spread out your blanket and enjoy the show. We went to see moe. here a few summers back.
There are of course many other venues throughout the state, but these are a few of my favorites in Portland.
Why does this bring me bliss? Smaller venues offer a more intimate experience and really allow you to connect with the performance. I’ve found that especially as I age it is a much more blissful musical experience to see a show in a smaller setting.
Do you have a favorite concert venue?
I’m participating in a Blogging A-Z Challenge for April 2020. I will be posting new content every day this month except most Sundays. Each post is associated with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. My theme for the challenge is Bliss. To read more of my A to Z posts from this year, click HERE.
Weekends in Maine 
I love Bruce Springsteen! And absolutely yes…smaller settings are far more fun.
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It’s such a better, more enjoyable experience in a smaller setting.
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What lovely venues. Will we ever get to see a live performance again?
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It does feel like it will be a long time before it happens. Our June show was pushed to August and I suspect there will be other date changes.
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Like you, I too prefer smaller musical venues Karen and luckily we have a couple of beautiful theatres in Doha that host musical talents from all over the world. We are lucky to be able to enjoy such a range.
I like your Goldilocks’ measurements of your city. It sounds perfect.
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That’s great that you have some theatres close by to you too that pull in lots of different musical talent.
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I am with you there: not a fan of huge crowds, and the venues you describe (especially at the pier) sound very nice. Goldilocks would approve for sure 🙂
My S is for our airline Swissair that later became Swiss:
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-z-2020-switzerland-swiss-and-swissair.html
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Outside venues are wonderful especially on beautiful summer nights. Weekends In Maine
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I just remembered… I attended a memorable outdoor concert while living in California. There is a place called Humphrey’s Bay, at Shelter Island, San Diego. Wonderful place, even without an event. That night Christopher Cross and Air Supply played 🙂
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Sounds like a gorgeous place to see a concert. How long did you live in California?
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I hope you get to show or 2 this summer. Nothing better than a evening with music and little dance and lots of laughs.
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It’s such a great way to spend an evening. I agree!
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🙂 your post made me smile…so many memories of Maine. I misread Thompson’s Point for Thomas Point in Brunswick and recalled many bluegrass festivals. Thank you for the walk down memory lane. I actually finally got to see Bruce in 2008 for the first time!
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There are some great venues beyond the Portland area. I’ve never been to Thomas Point in Brunswick but it looks like a fun place to see a show too.
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Awesome – yes will their ever be live venues???
Searching
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Eventually, but not likely this summer 😦
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I’m really missing the theatre since lockdown.
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Me too and unfortunately many summer events and shows have already been cancelled too.
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I have been to a live concert only once. It was Daler Mehndi’s (Indian Singer) show. It was a large audience concert and our seats were at the back, so wasnt a great experience. Agree about smaller venues!
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It’s always so tough in those larger venues. Stadium tours are big in the US but I think smaller venues are making a comeback. It’s so much more enjoyable.
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I hope those venues are doing virtual concerts, as some of ours are in NYC. Will likely be awhile before we can visit them in person.
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Yes, they have started offering some virtual shows which is so great.
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As long as I don’t have to stand at the smaller venues, we’re good. Too many knee surgeries. lol But definitely prefer them over an arena any day.
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I’ve done a few shows with standing room only. It can be tough.
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We literally have no concert venues here. The casinos across the state line do, but they aren’t ideal, and we never go. Back when we lived in real cities, we went to concerts and live events often (we were also in the music business and never had to pay for them and that’s another reason we never go now). I grew up in Kansas City, though, and there are some beautiful venues there!
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I dated someone years ago who worked at a record store and he was always able to get us into shows. We saw a lot of great acts together. Being in the music business definitely increases show attendance!
Have you ever gone to The Big Slick in Kansas City? I want to check that out sometime although sadly they had to cancel it this year.
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