Fox Theater, the best place to see live music?

 

When it was announced back in January that the 43-years-in-disrepair Fox Theater in Downtown Oakland would soon be reopening with a jaw-dropping make-over and a white-hot list of concerts lined up, I was pleased, but realistic. How good could an outside of SF venue really be?

Really, really good. The make-over, an opulent Morrocan motif, was stunning.  The acoustics were amazing, and the two bars with waitress service while you watch the bands--well that's my kind of venue in the making.

Although not the big first concert (That was Social Distorion),  I saw Euro-Poptarts Franz Ferdinand at the Fox weeks after the venue opened, and the excitement from the friendly staff, concert goers, and even the band was still palpable.   The energy in the air was electric, and like kids seeing the circus for the first time everyone present seemed to be in awe of  our swanky surroundings.

All of this, and the Fox is just steps away from the 19th Street BART station and  Cafe Van Kleef.  What more could live music fans ask for?