Metro Chicago

Metro Chicago: A Hub for Live Music

Metro Chicago, located at 3730 N Clark St, Chicago, Illinois, is a renowned concert hall that has been a vital part of the city’s music scene since its inception in 1982. With a capacity of 1,100, the venue is split between a main floor and a balcony, offering an intimate setting for a diverse range of performances. The building also houses Smart Bar, a popular dance club located beneath the main venue.

The venue’s history is closely tied to its founder, Joe Shanahan, who was inspired by the vibrant art and music culture he experienced in New York City during the late 1970s. Seeking to bring a similar creative energy to Chicago, Shanahan discovered the Northside Auditorium Building, originally constructed in 1927 as a Swedish Community Center. At the time, it was home to a jazz/folk club called Stages.

In July 1982, Shanahan opened Smart Bar as a dance club, featuring a mix of emerging genres. Initially located on the fourth floor, Smart Bar was later moved to the basement, making way for Metro to occupy the main space. The venue, initially known as Stages Music Hall, quickly gained a reputation for hosting a variety of local and national acts.

Metro’s early years saw performances from local bands like Naked Raygun and Big Black, as well as national acts such as Sonic Youth, the Ramones, and Metallica. The venue became a key player in the industrial music scene, booking bands like Cabaret Voltaire and KMFDM. Over the years, Metro has maintained a strong relationship with Chicago’s Jam Productions, further solidifying its status as a premier live music venue.

In the 1990s, Metro embraced the grunge and alternative music movements, hosting bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam, who recorded a live album there in 1992. The venue also welcomed British bands such as Oasis and the Manic Street Preachers for their early US performances. Notably, the Smashing Pumpkins played both their first and last gigs at Metro, highlighting the venue’s significance in their career.

Metro has continued to be a cornerstone of Chicago’s music scene, hosting a wide array of artists from various genres. Its legacy is marked by memorable performances and recordings, including live albums by Pearl Jam and Braid. The venue celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007 with a public concert at Millennium Park and received recognition from the Recording Academy for its contributions to music.

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Sources

Wikipedia / Wikidata / Official website

Image: Joi Ito / CC BY 2.0 CC BY 2.0

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