When you think colleges in Massachusetts, most likely, you first think of the Boston area which is home to more institutions of higher learning than any city really should be. But out in the western part of the state, the Northampton area is also college-central with UMASS-Amherst, Amherst College, Smith, and Hampshire College all in the vicinity. There’s another one, too, but I can’t remember what it is. Oh, well. Bottom line: where there’s college, there’s live music venues. And the Northampton area is known for being something of a New England live venue mecca.
Many of the live music venues in North Hampton, MA are connected to Iron Horse Entertainment Group. These venues include The Iron Horse Music Hall 20 Center Street (413) 584-0610) which has a scheduled filled with live rock and blues acts, some with familiar names, others less familiar. The Pearl Street Nightclub (10 Pearl St., 413-584-7771) host similar acts, more favoring rock acts. They have a running battle of the bands-types series. The Basement (used to be Bishop’s Lounge, 41 Strong Ave, 413-586-8900) offers live entertainment every night. Live music events include a weekly singer/songwriter night and performances by local bands. Blues hold center stage on Mondays. Jazz, reggae, roots, folk, and rock acts can also be heard here. Cover charges are low in the $5 range. No cover on Mondays. The venue is attached to an Italian eatery.
Also located in Northampton is The Elevens (140 Pleasant St., 413-586-9155). This venue has live acts encompassing “independent, local, regional, national and underground performers” playing blues, jazz, rock of various categories, according to its website. On Fridays and Saturdays, live bands play exclusively. On Mondays, live bands share the spotlight with a DJ. Singer/Songwriters perform on Sundays. Minimum age for entrance: 21. Cover charges vary from night to night.
True, UMASS-Amherst, the biggest of the five (what is that other one!?) colleges in the “five college” area, may be known as “ZooMass” but that doesn’t mean you can’t find great music there. There are several venues for live music on campus including the Fine Arts Concert Hall (413-899-UMASS) which hosts live classical events including opera; The Bowker Auditorium which has live acts throughout the year ranging from jazz to classical to world/ethnic; and the Bezanson Recital Hall where visitors can hear a variety of live acts including classical and jazz performances. Then of course there’s the Mullin Center (413-545-0505) where rock acts come to entertain the students. Nine Inch Nails was set to perform in early 2006.
Ah, that’s the fifth one: Mount Holyoke! Mount Holyoke also provides live music to the Northampton-Amherst area. Located on the Mount Holyoke campus in South Hadley (50 College St, 413-538-2431) The auditorium has space for over 1200 patrons. Events include student music events and outside, student-sponsored entertainment of a wide variety including in the past steel drum bands, oldies cover bands and a cappella groups. Many are connected to student clubs with different political agendas, so that’s fun. Known performers at the Chapin include Ani DeFranco.
