Several bands that come to Phoenix and its surrounding cities to perform do not get to play on big stages. They often play at clubs in the middle of strip malls where the nearest landmark is a fast-food restaurant.
But that is not the case if they are playing The Van Buren– or at least it wasn’t the case. The Van Buren music venue has been closed since March, when the Coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of the entertainment industry in the state and nationwide.
Located on the corner of Van Buren Street and 4th Avenue, it has given bands a place to perform their music since 2017, but the building has been around since 1930, home to the Phoenix Motor Company and various other automotive dealerships until 2016. It has hosted countless concerts, parties, and even Lucha Libre wrestling last year, but the last event to be held in 2020 was a performance by Puerto Rican rapper Ivy Queen La Diva on her ‘Raiz No Rama’ world tour.
The building has survived the Great Depression, World War II, and all that came after it, but still, the pandemic has shaken the entertainment world, leaving an uncertain future for the venue. All events until February 2021 have been postponed or canceled, leaving the venue’s future in jeopardy.
“I just hope that we can open venues back up safely,” said Jackson Blessing, a concert-goer, and drummer in the local band Grayview.
For musicians, the venue provided them the royal treatment. They could taste cold-brewed coffee and take a shower. In addition, it had a large amount of space for them to stretch, load in their gear, hang out with close friends and family members, and do get in the mood to rock out.
“When you see a tour announced, you take a look at your tour schedule and see what venues you’re going to,” Escape the Fate and the Dead Rabbits vocalist Craig Mabbitt said. “For me, when I see Arizona, I’m always excited because it’s home and seeing that it’s at the Van Buren is awesome.”
Mabbitt bands both had the privilege of playing the Van Buren in 2020 before their stages became vacant.
For fans, a typical show at the Van Buren would go something like this.
When you first approached the venue, you’d notice the tall grey brick wall, lined with long green vines as you encroach upon the dark black gates.
From there, friendly security guards were there to greet guests they would admit into their grey-stone patio. Lined with tables and umbrellas to provide shade from the scorching Arizona sun as well as misters to keep customers cool.
Outside, customers could purchase alcoholic beverages, sodas, water, and a slice or two of the newly opened Ziggy’s Pizza.
Behind the venue’s front doors stood a long corridor, where you would see the gold head of former president Martin Van Buren with a sign that read “rub Marty’s head for good luck.” A line of people would congregate to do such a thing before each show as part of one of the more unusual traditions in music.
Even when bands were not on the stage, fans would still hear thumping bass from whichever song was playing over the loudspeakers as they made their way onto the main stage floor.
For those who wanted to rest their feet or just relax while watching a show, a large bleacher sat just below the top rafters for fans to enjoy the show in comfort.
For fans there to get rowdy or even have a once in a lifetime encounter with their favorite artists, a large and level floor provided space for fans to converge in all types of concert-going activities.
“I think the Van Buren is an awesome place for people who like to be in the mix and for people who like to hang back and just listen to the music without being too close to others,” Blessing said about his experience seeing metal bands Architects and Thy Art is Murder in April of 2019.
But more than events, the building is home to memories that will last a lifetime for local grown artists.
Doll Skin is a local punk rock band that first played at the Van Buren in 2019 in support of the pop-punk band New Found Glory.
The conclusion of the show saw Doll Skin drummer Meghan Herring join the headlining act for an encore performance of their hit song “My Friends Over You,” a song which Herring proudly played to perfection and left her father standing in the rafters with tears flowing from his eyes.
Fast forward to January of 2020, Doll Skin had the chance to open for the Pop-Punk band Motion City Soundtrack, however, the venue was not the only thing that stood out about this show, It was the professionalism of the venue’s security.
“It sucks to say this, but normally at venues, there are a couple of people that are not favorable to work with,” Doll Skin Vocalist Sydney Dolezal said. Dolezal was so impressed with the way staff treated them, they recalled purchasing one of the security guards a meal from a nearby McDonalds.
“When you have adequate space to be able to put on the best show possible, you’re going to have a fun time doing so,” Mabbitt said.
However, the Van Buren works as the perfect size for fans and bands alike.
“The Van Buren has that sweet spot, you have plenty of room on stage where there’s a good room for a good crowd and you don’t have that disconnect to where you’re still up-close and personal and still have that good energy from the crowd,” Mabbitt said.
Mabbitt also encourages fans to support local music venues in any way possible and is hopeful to return to playing shows around the world sooner rather than later.
The venue is certainly missed by fans as well as musicians alike but both remain optimistic about the uncertain future of the venue and live music in general.
Downtown Devil reached out to the Van Buren for comment.
Contact the reporter at asgalla1@asu.edu.
