Halloween at Elsewhere
photo by Amanda Hatfield

Elsewhere threw a Grand Opening Halloween Party w/ Battles & more (pics)

PopGun’s long-in-the-works new multi-room venue Elsewhere had its Grand Opening with a very festive Halloween Party (10/31) headlined by Battles. While there was lots of great music all night, it felt like most people were there to party and get a first look at the new place.

Having gotten a tour over the summer, I was impressed by the finished product, which is miles away (literally and figuratively) from the inherited DIY space that was their previous venue Glasslands. Both the main Hall, which holds nearly 700 people, and Zone One (200 capacity) looked and sounded great, The Hall especially so. The abstract, geometric illuminated stage backdrop was very cool to see in action, and the lighting in general impressed Amanda who took the photos in the gallery above. (There is also some neat neon art in The Hall if you look up.) Battles sounded good and loud for their headlining set, as did Combo Chimbita who played before them. The Hall’s sloping floor also made for good sightlines.

Zone One, which felt about the same size as Pianos to me, will be a nice room to see smaller acts and sounded good for both the blippy indie rock of The Wants (who dressed as the original Upright Citizens Brigade) and Future Punx (who played as “The Punksters” and opened with The Munsters theme), as well as the bass heavy sound of Cakes Da Killa (who performed in the middle of the crowd and repeatedly told us how hungover he was).

For those exploring the space, there is art all over Elsewhere — from some sculptures in the courtyard to a VR installation in The Loft which was created by visual artist David Lobser and soundtracked/sound designed by Noveller. There’s a live event happening based on the VR installation at Elsewhere on November 7 (tickets).

With it being almost everyone’s first time there, there were some bottlenecks as people tried to figure out where they were and where they needed to go, and it was maybe just a little too chilly for people to hang out in the courtyard. Those who were out there were either smoking or chowing down on grub from one of the welcome food trucks parked outside (the branch of Mission Chinese that will share Elsewhere’s address is not open yet). All in all, Elsewhere’s opening night seemed to go smoothly. Welcome to the neighborhood.

On Thursday (11/2) at Elsewhere it’s ADULT. and more in the Hall (tickets) while Guantanamo Baywatch, Surfbort and Sloppy Jane play Zone One (tickets). Other upcoming shows include an Anamanaguchi venue takeover on 11/10 (tickets), Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters on 11/12 (tickets), plus Parquet Courts, Heems, No Age, ADULT., Anamanaguchi, No Age, Jlin, Sunflower Bean and more.

photos by Amanda Hatfield