I love going to concerts and always feel super lucky when big name acts take a quick trip through Oklahoma. Sure we have a low cost of living, but ticket prices are getting expensive enough to put those shows out of reach for a lot of us.
That's why I’ve been such a huge fan of our smaller venues over the decades. With experience both on and off the stage, I know these local music spots are the lifeline many locals depend upon for community and entertainment.
If you tend to stick to the larger venues such as Paycom, Criterion, or Zoo Amphitheater, let this be your guide – and your challenge – to go support our local music scene.
Here are my five favorite places to start...
89th Street | 8911 N. Western Ave. (OKC)
We can’t start this list off without the granddaddy of them all, 89th Street Collective. Operating out of the old Conservatory, this venue has come so far since those days. For those who can or dare to remember, the Conservatory was renowned for its wild shows and atmosphere, but equally legendary were the horribly neglected bathrooms and subpar stage situation.
All that has changed with a stage worthy of national touring acts, bathrooms you trust to not pass on any diseases, some of the best sound and ample room to see the band. You still get that big-concert feel in a smaller room with a recessed part of the floor, so you don’t get tall-manned or hit from the pit – all while paying reasonable prices for tickets and drinks.
The only downside would be the parking; a small pothole-ridden back lot or a risky adjacent parking, where you are liable to get towed or, in my situation, get exactly one tire stolen and have to take an expensive 1 a.m. Uber home. I still love it.
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Resonant Head | 400 SW 25th St., Suite A (OKC)
This spot, located at the old Oklahoma Opry House in the Capitol District, is a recent addition to the scene. If you haven’t been inside, it is an absolutely stunning venue with a golden hour mirrored vibe that this writer cannot accurately put into sufficient words.
In the short time it has been open, Resonant Head has hosted many up and coming national touring acts that move on to larger stages the next time they come to town.
Alongside those (usually) evening concerts they also host a variety of events during the daytime, such as Chess Brunches, Skate Jams, Effects Pedal pop ups and Arm Wrestling tournaments! All of these are awesome ways to interact with your community members without having to shout over music and be an asshole.
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The Sanctuary | 2828 NW 10th St. (OKC)
This little venue that could has become the home of everything heavy, hardcore and loud. It’s so amazing to see how far they’ve come, and the way they’ve made a space for younger audiences is truly inspiring. They offer Pay it Forward tickets for those in need and work with community resource providers like the Regional Food Bank, holding food & clothing drives.
Pairing with Beloved Bones, a unique boutique for those with dark tastes, The Sanctuary has helped launch one of the most unique and unnerving acts to come out of Oklahoma, Chat Pile. If you haven’t heard these hometown heroes scream into the void over the cruelty of this world, you absolutely should.
If you’re not into mosh pits, flying karate kicks and a good chance of being hit in some form or fashion, I would stick to the back.
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The Blue Note | 2408 N Robinson Ave. (OKC)
After years of being one of Oklahoma City's best dive bars, the pandemic changed the Note, for better or worse, as well as changing ownership. Gone are the days of smoking inside on the sticky floors, walls adorned with metal and punk iconography.
Now the Blue Note aims for a more eclectic, refined and modern clientele. They host live jazz bands every Sunday night and frequently have burlesque acts like Cha Cha Nova and BangBang QueerPunk VarietyShow among a few. They do karaoke and still have concerts featuring rock, R&B, indie and hip hop acts all while giving the joint a much needed facelift for that crowd.
The back patio has been totally transformed into one of the best places to get some air and catch up with friends over a cold drink. Just watch out for the rain, it gets very slick, and I have personally seen many tipsy concert goers slip and eat shit.
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Opolis | 113 N Crawford Ave. (Norman)
I hate to be biased, but I saved the best for last. This gem of a venue has become the beating heart of Norman’s live music scene. The new co-owners of the operation have really outdone themselves in crafting a welcoming stage for artists of all genres and a cozy space for people of any age and gender to relax and feel accepted.
From the eclectic lineups featured every week to their long-running collaboration with Weirder Wednesdays hosted by Jarvix and Make Oklahoma Weirder to the newly started Monthly Metal by Keep Oklahoma Heavy, the Opolis has always been the best place to discover some of the best local musicians.
Add in a vegan kitchen and their school of music, and you’ve got the makings for a community staple that I am proud to call my favorite venue.
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Drop your favorite stages for live local music in the comments...
