Concert Photo Series: Portland Venues

As I’ve gone through my college career, I’ve learned about so many different venues in Portland. Each of them is unique and has its own distinct flavor (and smell). These photos are mostly from the Crystal Ballroom and Hawthorne Theater.

The Crystal Ballroom is probably my favorite venue in Portland. A beautiful room with a dangerously large chandelier hanging over the crowd, the ballroom has combines gorgeousness with an innate fear for your safety. The venue is on the third floor and has a “bouncy” floor. Multiple shows have been cancelled due to the floor giving a bit more than audiences expected. It also has hosted some of my favorite ever performances, Anderson Paak’s Malibu Tour stop, Brockhampton’s Love Your Parents stop, and an unreasonably intimate Tyler, the Creator performance.

Hawthorne Theater has slowly creeped up in my concert hall rankings, mostly for its small crowd size. While Roseland and the ballroom can hold up to 1500 people, Hawthorne thirds that with only about 500 spots. Denzel Curry, Isaiah Rashad, and Jay Rock were some of the artists I’ve seen in this venue.

Not pictured here are bigger venues, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and Theater of the Clouds at Moda Center. While less intimate, these venues all have their own unique feels, Arlene Schnitzer being my personal favorite of the three.