Many people, myself included, were excited when the 2100-capacity Nokia Theatre Times Square opened in September 2005.
It was exciting to have a new, easily-accessible live music venue open that kept you close to the stage from virtually anywhere in the room.
And having seen several quality acts at Nokia over the past 3 years, including Flogging Molly and Blues Traveler, I can easily say the venue is a fun place to go to catch a show.
Too bad they haven’t booked any top-tier acts there since.
You have to wonder what’s going on behind-the-scenes when a venue backed by live events conglomerate AEG Worldwide, self-described as “one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world” has a summer schedule packed with headlining performers such as Camila, Djavan, Dethklok, Chaka Khan, and Chris Isaak.
Not to disrespect Chris Isaak (whom I happen to respect as a performer) or any of the other musicians playing there as being inconsequential.
But, just who do the booking agents think they’re going to attract with a lackluster lineup that includes only 2 or 3 acts with name recognition?
And don’t tell me its because big name acts don’t play smaller venues. Take a look at Irving Plaza’s upcoming concert schedule and tell me Gnarls Barkley, Rooney, Natasha Bedingfield, and Vanessa Carlton aren’t immediately recognizable to you. Not to mention that most of these shows have sold or will sell out the 1800-capacity space, unlike the current trend at Nokia Times Square.
Maybe the difference is that Live Nation operates their venue booking more aggressively than AEG does. Or perhaps, more seriously, AEG is neglecting it’s NYC operation for its Los Angeles based Nokia Theatre.
All this comes down to one thing: while once a promising and exciting new venue located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Nokia Theatre Times Square has lost its luster and become just another high rent-paying wastes of space that teens and 20- and 30- somethings with disposable income to spend will avoid at all costs.
June 17, 2008 
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