Fan of all ages can find places to rock

As a perpetually growing city, Boise’s entertainment scene has had no trouble with increasing its live musical entertainment. The live shows downtown reflect a variety of progressive musical styles and forms that vary from venue to venue.

While Boise’s downtown entertainment scene showcases a large amount of concerts and other forms of entertainment for those 21 and older, it is much easier than many people think to find all-age shows. Venues including the Knitting Factory Concert House (formerly known as the Big Easy), the Record Exchange and the Venue hold all-age shows and provide an opportunity for Boise State University students to find live music.

The Knitting Factory Concert House is potentially Boise’s most far-reaching venue. With shows ranging from indie rock to rap and from mainstream bands to underground hip hop, the Knitting Factory Concert House’s variety of music appeals to all audiences. Since the venue’s days as the Big Easy, the Knitting Factory has made several improvements, including a new and higher quality sound system, new lighting and interior remodeling to allow for a warmer and more inviting feel.

The upstairs portion of the venue has been transformed into the Bourbon Street Uptown Food and Spirits Restaurant, which will still offer a full menu and bar. The Knitting Factory Concert House is located at 416 S. 9th Street. For ticket information and an event calendar, visit myspace.com/knittingfactoryboise.

The Record Exchange carries Boise’s most extensive variety of recorded music, promotional items and a gift shop with anything and everything a music fan could ever desire. The Record Exchange also holds live shows, which include both local and mainstream bands. Live in-store shows at the Record Exchange are always free. 

The Record Exchange also sells tickets for almost all of Boise’s upcoming shows. The Record Exchange is located at 1105 W. Idaho Street. For information on upcoming albums, indie store exclusives, tickets and other information visit therecordexchange.com.

The Venue is Boise’s premiere all-ages punk rock venue. Shows at the Venue appeal to underground rock and emo, often showcasing local bands. With bands such as Poison the Well, the Spill Canvas and the Mad Caddies, the scene at the Venue appeals to a younger crowd and allows for music fans to find new and progressive music.

For fans with musical tastes outside of general punk rock, the Venue also showcases indie rock bands including Minus the Bear and These Arms Are Snakes. The Venue is located at 521 W. Brood Street. For ticket information and event calendar visit boisevenue.com.

Boise’s music scene becomes more prevalent every year. The Knitting Factory Concert House offers the largest variety of music and the most shows in Boise. The Record Exchange offers the largest selection of music, rare CDs and free live shows. And music goers can find some of Boise’s most underground music at The Venue. In any case, these three venues allow for music fans to get their hands dirty, find new music that they’ve never heard before or see their favorite artists perform.

MAT LA RUE
Lead Culture Writer

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