The live concert ’scene’ in Phoenix is a strange affair. We have a host of smaller intimate venues, and pubs masquerading as live clubs. At the other end of the spectrum there are a good number of large arenas for the rare dates when a U2 or a Britney comes to town. What Phoenix lacks is the clubs which can accommodate 700-1200 people and be centrally located in the valley.
There is only one contender ‘The Marquee Theater’ in Tempe on N Mill avenue at Washington. The Marquee is now 14 years old but has only served as a rock venue for about 5 years, it formerly operated as the ‘Red River Music Hall’ catering almost exclusively to Jazz and Country music.
So here is the perplexing issue: you have a venue with such a large number of attributes how could it all go wrong?
- Exclusivity – with a capacity of 1,050 it is the only game in town for audiences of 700-1500
- Location – Only 1/2 mile from downtown Tempe and 8 miles East of downtown Phoenix, the venue sits on the corner of where Phoenix/Tempe/Scottsdale meet on the map
- Access – Excellent freeway access, very close to the 202/101/51/10 – just yards away from light rail when it opens next year
- Space – Ample parking throughout the surrounding area
So faced with all these positives – how could the owners get it all so wrong? Let me count the ways….
1. Identity: I agree that Phoenix is a hard town to gauge, I’ve been to shows expecting a sell out to find less than 20% of tickets sold and also events which are not on the radar that are packed. For a large city concert attendance is spotty and seemingly can be effected by weather, the Phoenix Suns, the latest episode of “The Biggest Loser” – you name it. But, that’s no excuse – The Marquee doesn’t (even after 5 years) have an identity of any sort. I never hear anyone excited when an act announces they are playing there, coupled with the chameleon status of the venues promoters. Heavy Metal, Indie, Alternative, Funk, Emo, you name it, Nothing wrong with diversity – but I see it as chaotic booking strategies. The venue seems content to try and appeal to everyone and offend them all simultaneously.
2. Staff: I’ve seen concerts at venues and cities around the world – never before have I seen a venue as overstaffed as this one. On nights where the audience barely reaches 200 it’s easy to hand count 40-50 employees just milling around trying to look busy. To add to the illusion they also select staff who seem to have zero interest in music or customer service. The security lines make the airport seem efficient and the ‘bar’ makes you wonder if they are just trying to keep the streets safe for others. Slow disinterested service is the order of the day
3. Apathy – In five years not one discernible positive change has been made to the venue. Access, lighting, sound, cleanliness, marketing, staffing all remain as they were. I would estimate I’ve been to about 30-35 concerts at the venue over that span and the feeling that the venue just ‘doesn’t care’ could not be more pronounced. I’m not looking for Wi-Fi access in the lobby or the best bottles of Belgian Ale in the bar – just a feeling that the club will occasionally get out a paintbrush, or better enable the audiences access to the ticket booth, security checks etc.
4. Greed – I am fully conversant with the fact that tickets to shows have risen by 40-100% since the decade began. This being due to higher travel costs, downloaded music and general inflation. I’ve no issue with that – I will always support live music. The venue – which should be feel like ‘our’ venue further alienate their customers by seemingly squeezing every last dollar out of the wallets of it’s clientele. Parking – there must be 1200 spaces within 300 yards of the venue that are not in use. When the Marquee opened it cost nothing to park – now it costs $5 – the only other thing in the lots are empty beer bottles and Jack Rabbits. Ticket fees – again, when the venue opened fees would make up a 7-15% surcharge – now its 20-30%. Here comes the masterstroke: I saw Art Brut at the Marquee last Friday night – at the T-Shirt stand the band had written a sign that said the following “Art Brut regret we are not selling any T-Shirts or other concert merchandise due to the 28% (!!!) addition being collected by the venue on every item, Art Brut do not want to abuse our audience in this fashion.” 28% ? for what ?? Writing the songs? Organizing the tour? Conceiving the artwork? No…for allowing a dirty table in the lobby to be used to sell these items. I was offended but won’t punish the band as the same items are available online for more normal rates.
As for the future of the Marquee….I want it to succeed….I like the size of it, I like the location of it and I sincerely feel Phoenix needs it. Based on the evidence of ever dwindling audiences, terrible promotion/booking and advertising coupled with the desire to rip off the paying customers I see tough days ahead. I hope I’m wrong, I hope the public can show more than the same apathy that the venue displays, I hope live music in Phoenix can have a medium sized venue it can be proud of. I don’t need the Hammersmith Palais, just a place to see a band.
Cheers
