By: Jaxen Swank
With Twenty One Pilots recording one of their biggest sold out Columbus concerts to date at Nationwide Arena alongside the announcement of the Buckeye Country Superfest this past October, music may be the only thing on your mind right now. Experiencing live music as a college student doesn’t have to be difficult when Columbus offers several accessible venues near campus.
As an obsessed music fan, I have spent my time as an Ohio State student going to concerts and exploring concert venues on and off campus. For those looking to explore more opportunities of live music, here is a list of concert venues that you should know about while attending OSU.
Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups located in Old North Columbus, just north of campus at 2619 North High St. is within walking distance and offers a unique concert experience. This small 300 size capacity venue makes you feel as if you are standing on stage next to your favorite artists.
The venue also acts as a bar with covered outdoor patio space where you can grab dinner and experience a taste of Ray Ray’s Barbecue before a show. You can expect to see local and national acts to be hosted throughout the year and can find a show by viewing their upcoming events page.
KEMBA Live!
KEMBA Live!, formed by PromoWest Productions, is Columbus’ only fully functional indoor and outdoor concert venue providing you with unique concert experiences all year round. This venue is perfect for midsize and developing acts, having hosted everyone from The Smashing Pumpkins to Coldplay.
The concert calendar is consistently updated throughout the year making it easier than ever to find a show to attend. While the venue is located in the downtown Arena District, it is easily accessible through your BuckID COTA access. For those looking to drive to the venue, there are plenty of parking options located just behind the venue or at the McConnell Garage directly across the street. The Arena District ParkMobile website is great for finding a parking option.
A&R Music Bar
The A&R Music Bar is conveniently located next to KEMBA Live’s indoor and outdoor venues. Here you can hangout, sip on a great drink, or grab something to eat from Mikey’s Late Night Slice before catching a show at KEMBA Live.
The A&R Music Bar is also a fully functional concert venue which is much smaller in size, catering to up-and-coming acts. Here are some of the artists who played the A&R Music Bar while working on growing a fanbase.
The Basement
As the name implies, The Basement is located directly under the A&R Music Bar and is an even smaller venue to support local, up-and-coming acts. With a full bar and several couches placed around the venue, The Basement is a place where you could only dream of attending a show, and this venue gives you one of the most personal concert experiences in the city.
You can take a virtual tour to get an idea of what the venue has to offer. However, this won’t compare to the feeling of the soundwaves hitting you in this underground venue until the early hours of the morning.
Newport Music Hall
The Newport Music Hall, located on North High Street directly across from the Ohio Union, is one of America’s oldest running concert venues. Placed directly across from campus, you are presented with easy access to see an upcoming show.
Stepping into Newport provides you with an intimate concert experience alongside a crash course in music history. Some of the most famous acts in music have played the Newport throughout the venue’s operation.
If you are looking to dive deeper into the history of the Newport Music Hall I recommend watching the “If These Walls Could Talk” documentary produced by PromoWest Productions. The documentary provides a detailed history of the venue and successful bands that have played there throughout the last few decades.
Columbus is very fortunate to have a large amount of concert venues to support the local music scene and national touring acts. With so many venues to choose from, it can be overwhelming if you’re looking to attend a concert but aren’t necessarily sure where to begin. I hope this list of venues inspires you to attend your first concert or to check out a venue you haven’t been to before. Where are you going to see a show?