By Andy Foltz
NKyTribune Correspondent
From arena shows to one-person acoustic sets and everything in between, if you’re looking for live music, Northern Kentucky is home to some of the most unique and popular venues around.
“In general, I think there are more bands than there have been, and there are more places that feature live music,” said Morrella Raleigh, who runs the Southgate House Revival in Newport. Her venue, which opened in October of 2012, has three different rooms to accommodate a variety of acts and crowds.
Raleigh has seen the changes in the way Northern Kentucky takes in music over the years. Her family used to run the Southgate House, which is now hosting concerts under the name Thompson House. There is no doubt to her that live music is growing in popularity in the area.
“There is a diversity in styles, a diversity in venues, and a love of music,” contributing to the growth of the music scene, she said. “It just keeps getting stronger.”
Northern Kentucky can handle large acts thanks to the Bank of Kentucky Center, which opened in 2008. The arena has hosted such acts as Carrie Underwood, Jay-Z and Bob Dylan. In November, prior to basketball season, Grammy winners Little Big Town performed at the BOK Center. The next concert being held there is Smokey Robinson, on April 3. Tickets for that show go on sale this Saturday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m.
Venues such as the Thompson House and the Madison Theater run a variety of acts. The Thompson House, located on Third Street in Newport, has four distinct stages suited for a variety of acts. The venue is historic, having once been the home to General John Thompson, the namesake of the building and inventor of the Tommygun.
The Madison is a former movie theater located on Madison Avenue in Covington. The marquee outside still has the feel of a movie theater from yesteryear, although the acts that play there run the gamut from old to the very new. For example, this past week the Madison ran the first round of their annual Band Challenge on Thursday and Friday prior to hosting country phenom Sturgill Simpson Saturday. The Band Challenge Second Round continues this week Feb. 5 and 6.
The Thompson House will feature the Bob Marley Birthday Bash, in honor of the late musician’s 70th birthday. Featured bands include The Cliftones, The Flex Crew, and Know Prisoners. During the Friday event, Elementree Livity Project will be holding a CD release party.
Southgate House Revival, located in the former The Grace Methodist Episcopal Church on Sixth Street in Newport, has three different rooms that feature live music. There is the lounge, which features free live music Tuesday-Saturday.
“It’s a way for people to sample things without a big investment,” said Raleigh. The revival room upstairs is bigger, but still intimate. The sanctuary is the biggest room and hosts the biggest acts. Occasionally, an all-venue event will haves acts going on in all rooms simultaneously with one pass good for all.
“Southgate House Revival has been extremely good to us, offering us opportunities to open for national acts and for local shows,” said Kelly Thomas of the band Wilder, a local alt-country group.
“That venue is one of the best in the region for great original acts. I have been involved in two recording projects that tracked up in The Revival Room because of its wonderful acoustics!”
“I’ve had good experiences at The Madison Theater as well. One of my favorites was opening for Junior Brown,” she added.
For full schedules at each venue, check out Thompson House, Bank of Kentucky Center Southgate House, and Madison Theater.