Bring Back Basement Shows!

New Jersey is known for its basement shows.

Gritty, smokey, loud, and rocktastic – that is what a basement rock show is all about. The basement music scene is the epitome of DIY music, where young people rent out spaces and charge cheap at the door, inviting several local bands to play sets all night long. It’s a party fit in an intimate setting where bands and fans blend together, and anything goes.

A few weeks ago I got to experience one of my few ever basement shows in New Jersey with none other than our friends, Those Mockingbirds at The Meatlocker in Montclair. Their celebratory label-signing (Side Cho) concert felt more like a grunge VIP lounge than a regular show. The rebellious signage, smoke-filled rooms, grimy floors, and leaking ceiling made for a truly unique experience in which we asked ourselves, “what happened to basement shows?” Bring ‘em back is what I say!

Here are a few reasons why:

There are no rules. OK maybe some. . .

You can always meet interesting characters.

You might stumble upon vintage furniture.

Free promo!

You get to share the stage with your favorite local bands.

Don’t you wish more basement shows existed?

*By Alisha, who is fully enjoying Aladdin on ABC Family.

And now, the evening through Jenna’s lens:

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