By Wanyi Jin, News Correspondent
With 13 locations scattered across the country, the House of Blues is one of the most popular and recognizable music venues in the US. The chain’s Boston location is on Lansdowne Street, a 15 minute walk away from campus through the Fens and right across from historic Fenway Park.
This year, 37 percent of students who voted said they preferred the House of Blues over less prominent venues like the Paradise Rock Club, which received 13 percent of the votes, and the Middle East, with 12 percent. The House of Blues’ close proximity and distinctive atmosphere have made it a Northeastern favorite.
“It’s close, which is convenient,” said Bradley Howe, a freshman computer engineering major. “The design and décor are really nice, too.”
The House of Blues features a collection of quirky relics that cover nearly every surface of the venue. In the lobby, the walls echo intricate painted designs, some detailing the history of the location. Mounted above the stage are large busts representing major religions, and tribal paintings hang on the mezzanine section’s walls. The music hall itself is divided into floor, mezzanine and balcony seating, which allows concertgoers to choose the setting in which they would like to enjoy the show.
“My favorite part of the venue was the setup,” Howe said. “There’s standing, but there are also seats. It’s nice because some people like seats and I don’t really care for them.”
Since the House of Blues is a major destination for concert tours, the Boston location has hosted some of the country’s most prominent musical acts like Lady Gaga and Buddy Guy. Nonetheless, the venue still remains accessible to college students on a budget.
“They have lots of events and you know who the artists are,” Howe said. “But they don’t get too expensive – even when they get really popular people it’s pretty much the same price.”
The House of Blues also includes a restaurant for hungry patrons and bars on each seating level as well. Some upcoming events include dubstep producer Bassnectar and indie bands Miniature Tigers and Portugal. The Man.
