As a reference for touring bands we are attempting to create a library of reviews of the venues we have played. Most of these venues are in and around the Baltimore area. We attempt to review the venues from the perspective of a performing band (sound, environment, staff, money situation, etc.) For more specific information, requests, or complaints feel free to CONTACT US

The 8×10 reviewed by Nikc Miller

Pros: Great sound and legendary venue. Awesome green room and treatment of the bands.

In Baltimore, The 8×10 has been a staple of the music scene for many years. Starting as a bare-bones venue that featured bands of all genres it soon grew into a place that hosted national touring acts. Some people who were in the midst of The 8×10’s hey-day fondly recall the fabulous drink specials, intimate shows, and great variety of music. Sometime in the early 00’s The 8×10 re-branded itself as The Funkbox and started featuring bands of the jammier variety. A few years later The Funkbox closed down and re-emerged as The 8×10 yet again.

The 8×10 is a bit of an anomaly these days. For example, while the venue doesn’t draw nearly as many national acts, it’s still tough for a local band to book a show. While it rests dead-center in the manically crowded Federal Hill bar scene, it still has a tough time getting people in the door. And while there are nearly 100 competing bars with no cover within walking distance, they still insist on charging something like $10 to $12 to see mostly unknown bands.

Playing at The 8×10 is a great experience if you can step up to the challenge of packing the place. Given the expensive cover (dictated by management) and lack of any real drink specials, it’s a tough sell. One thing that can be said to The 8×10’s legacy is that they care about how the music sounds. So if you play here, your band  will be delighted by the sound system and supporting staff. Both on and offstage it’s one of the most technically legit places in the Baltimore region.  And at the end of the evening the sound guy/girl will give you a CD of the board mix, which you can use to repeatedly revel in how (hopefully) great you were that night.

Another plus is that they are straight-up with the money. I can’t remember exactly how they paid the bands, but it seemed to be some sort of split of the door. It’s always nice when you don’t have to chase the manager down to get paid, so it’s to The 8×10’s credit that this process is streamlined. The band green-room (one of the best in town – it’s clean, there’s a shower, and the fridge is stocked with complimentary beer and bottled water!!!) is right next to the office. At the end of the night you simply walk over to the office and get your cut. Simple.

 DMFS Plays Innocent Night @ The 8×10

Our only major beef with The 8×10 has nothing to do with the onstage experience. Rather, it’s that they insist that bands set up merch downstairs at a table right next to the bathrooms. This is a real debilitating thing for bands who depend on making some extra cash by selling merch. Not only is the established merch area out of eyesight of anyone watching the music, it is completely away from anywhere people hang out. So it’s really hard to convince some friends to staff the table, because they’ll be sitting alone by themselves all night next to a bathroom.

While the Flute Squad has only played The 8×10 twice, we can’t say it’s become one of our go-to venues to book a show. The reason for the fence-teetering is that while we love playing at venues with great sound and straight-up management, we really love playing at venues that have free or cheap cover charges and some decent drink specials so the crowd can get tipsy with us.  Basically, our fans, like most people these days, aren’t exactly rolling in cash.  So while they think we’re awesome and know they’ll have a good time at our shows, it’s tough to convince them to pay a $12 cover and $8/each for drinks (not to mention the hassle of finding parking in Federal Hill) at The 8×10 when there are three different venues at Station North with a cheaper cover charge, great line-ups, $1 Natty Bohs, and plenty of parking.

Here’s to hoping that that The 8×10 ups its game by developing a new business model similar to some of the newer happenin’ places around Baltimore.

***
If you like this post check out:

Venue Review: Fletchers – Where we openly bash one of the shittiest, now defunct, clubs Baltimore has ever known.

Venue Review: The Windup Space – Where we praise (and secretly wish to play again) one of Station North’s best multipurpose spaces.

Venue Review: Charm City Art Space - Some “REAL TALK” on Baltimore’s own longest running DIY space.