Great Scott

MA venue Great Scott will not reopen after coronavirus pandemic

Cancelled and postponed tours amid the coronavirus pandemic have been tough on musicians counting on income, and they’ve been tough on music venues, too, for the same reason. Sadly, it seems unlikely that all of our favorite venues will return once the dust settles from COVID-19, and one Allston, MA space has already made the announcement that they won’t be reopening. Great Scott‘s general manager, Tim Philbin, shared a message on Facebook announcing the venue’s closure. “For 44 years Great Scott has provided entertainment and more than a few beverages to a loyal group of customers,” he writes. Read the rest below:

It is with a heavy heart today that I announce that Great Scott will not reopen. For 44 years Great Scott has provided entertainment and more than a few beverages to a loyal group of customers. From its inception in 1976 as a local bar featuring Blues and Folk performers to the 1980’s and 1990’s as a beloved college dive featuring cover bands and DJ nights, to the 2000’s and its emergence as one of the best live music venues in the city, Great Scott has meant many things to many people. Through it all we’ve aspired to be a good neighbor to our community and a friend to all who walk through our doors. There is a sign that still hangs in the venue from the establishment that Great Scott replaced. The name of which was Brandy’s. That sign reads, “Where Incredible Friendships Begin”. I’m glad we never took it down because it explains Great Scott better than I ever could. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz paid tribute to the venue on Twitter:

Vanyaland paid tribute as well:

Hosting countless performers over the past decades, Great Scott became a fixture in the local music scene after Carl Lavin took over booking the 240-person capacity venue in the early 2000s. Booked by Lavin as part of Bowery Boston over the past decade, it was a launching pad for new bands on the local scene, like Passion Pit, Speedy Ortiz, and Pile, and national acts playing Boston before they blew up, like MGMT, Grimes, and Editors.

It was the longtime home to indie dance party the pill (disclaimer: this writer was involved with that), all-inclusive dance night Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and weekly Boston comedy showcase The Gas. The March 20 edition of The Gas was the last event held at Great Scott.

Here’s how you can support NYC venues while they’re closed.