While opening another venue under the shadow of a sagging local economy might seem risky, Steichen sees a definite need for larger rooms that can handle the draw of mid-level national acts. "We could have done four shows with Queens of the Stone Age last week," he says, referring to the band's singular Showbox appearance that sold out weeks in advance. "Seattle's a good market, but there are extremely limited venue choices. A lot of acts end up passing Seattle by because all the available venues are booked."
There's already evidence that Steichen's logic is on target: An October Dashboard Confessional show is sold out, and larger acts like Parliament have already booked dates. And while a trek to Northgate Mall may sound like a hassle to some, they'll get over it when they realize the commute from downtown is a mere 12 minutes. The plethora of free parking and multiple bus routes surrounding the theater are much more appealing than paying rising downtown parking fees. And while it is hardly as swank as the crimson confines of the Showbox, the physical layout of the 24,000 square foot venue (originally designed by Space Needle architect John Graham Jr.) is a smart fusion of seated and standing-room-only options. A few hundred cushioned seats are buttressed by an upper viewing deck with broad sight lines and a gradually sloped lower floor in front of the stage (while potentially hazardous to the inebriated, the geometry will delight live-music fans of shorter stature: Even if someone taller is in front of you, you'll still be able to see the stage!). The Northgate's first show will be GWAR on October 25.
