When the historic Roseland Ballroom closed in April, the New York music scene took a hit, as it was forced to relinquish a venue that was a favorite for many artists since 1958. The iconic venue may have been shut down, but Live Nation, the same company that owned Roseland Ballroom, recovered from its brief absence in the New York music scene in July with the opening of its latest Manhattan venue — JBL Live at Pier 97.
With a 6,000-person capacity, Pier 97 nearly doubles the capacity limitation that Roseland Ballroom had with an added bonus — it is an outdoor venue. Located on 57th Street and the West Side Highway, the venue will be open throughout September.
While acts like The Fray performed at Pier 97 earlier this summer, the new outdoor venue will hold a handful of shows throughout September.
On Sept. 13, electronic rock duo Phantogram will perform there, and on Sept. 14, “Royals” singer Lorde and the Canadian indie pop band Majical Cloudz perform together in conjunction with Lorde’s two other New York performances at the United Palace Theatre on Sept. 15 and 16.
The Hudson River Park partnered with Live Nation to provide these strictly general admission concerts, which are usually more expensive than Terminal 5’s concerts — no seating will be available, and lawn chairs are prohibited. Picnics are not allowed either, and outside food and drink as well as blankets are not allowed into the venue. All concerts throughout the Pier 97 concert series will be over by 10 p.m., and all will happen rain or shine.
In competition with the riverside venue is a fan-favorite and artist-favorite venue, Terminal 5, located only a few blocks away from Pier 97.
Terminal 5, however, has a capacity half that of Pier 97 and is indoors.
Last summer, a partnership had emerged with New York City’s Hudson River Park and Live Nation to create the other riverside venue, Pier 26, which was located in Tribeca.
According to an April 9 Billboard article, noise complaints from neighboring residents forced the riverside venue to close for the summer.
Pier 26’s sold-out performances from such popular artists as fun. and OneRepublic had made it a successful venue until then.
Pier 97’s future seems brighter than Pier 26’s, however, as it faces the Hudson River and is mostly surrounded by industrial buildings.
When Billboard spoke with Jason Miller, the president of Live Nation New York, he noted that Pier 97 strives to provide something different for New Yorkers and has already been embraced by the marketplace.
Recent complaints from New Jersey residents indicate that the outdoor venue may not be as successful as Miller believes it is, because it has the unexpected effect of sending sound waves across the Hudson.
Until Live Nation fixes that problem, JBL Live at Pier 97 is going to have to deal with annoyed New Jerseyans — as well as a flood of performers who will surely give lively shows at this up-and-coming venue.
Alexa Spieler is music editor. Email her at [email protected].
