Article by Nick DeMent | Photography by Jennifer Lewis | Owl Staff
Need a place to go on those dull, boring nights? The Baltimore Soundstage, found on Market Place near the Inner Harbor, is the newest addition to the local music scene and a great place to find new artists.
My experiences there have all been pleasant. The bar is open, and, in the corners, there are neat U-shaped seats that sit as many friends as you care to try to fit. Also, the management is accommodating, and the people are as diverse as the music.
This was my third time at the Soundstage for their Battle of the Bands. There is no set interval or amount of Battles.
The last one was in April, but after that, there won’t be another until after September. Each time the music varies from rap to metal, ska to R&B, and even solo acoustic acts.
“All of these elements and ingredients create a sort of welcoming grab bag; nobody is excluded, and everybody is invited.”
On my last trip, I saw the M.A.D. Rapper Project, Proven Eclectig, an instrumental jam band, and The Greek, which has a garage band sound.
The diversity is one of the better aspects of the Soundstage; you never know who is going to get behind the mic next. The diversity extends to the fans as well. There were high school kids, older couples, and families with children all enjoying the music.
All of these elements and ingredients create a sort of welcoming grab bag; nobody is excluded, and everyone is invited.
Size-wise the venue itself is much larger than most in Baltimore, such as the Sidebar on East Lexington, and has a more extravagant lighting system. For those who prefer smaller venues and the intimacy that accompanies them, the Soundstage may not be satisfying. That said, the Soundstage is still a swell place to spend a night with friends and find new music.