The Brooklyn music venue The Bell House’s planned acquisition by Live Nation has some fans worried that it will shut out up-and-coming artists.
Opened in 2008 in a former printing warehouse in Gowanus, the formerly independently owned Bell House was known for showcasing a variety of comedians and storytellers, many of whom got their first break at the venue.
Live Nation, currently facing an antitrust lawsuit from the Department of Justice for allegedly running a monopoly on live music in the US, quietly acquired the venue earlier this year. First reported by New York Groove.
It is unclear when the sale to Live Nation, which also owns Ticketmaster, will be made official, as there has been no announcement or confirmation from either side.
Neither Live Nation nor Bell House responded to repeated requests for comment from The Washington Post.
But the signs are there: Bellhouse job listings now include a mention of Live Nation in the description section, and affiliated email addresses now end in livenation.com.
More subtly, sources say the calendar is moving away from the quirky community-based events the venue was previously known for — themed proms, cover bands, quizzes — to now be dominated by comedy specials from established artists.
“Getting a show booked at the Bell House was a big deal and a destination in the area, so it’s definitely a loss to be sad about,” a Brooklyn man in his 30s who has worked at the local venue for many years and asked not to be named for fear of “booker’s revenge” told The Post about the sale.
“No matter what, there will always be comedy. And New York City and Brooklyn are home to some amazing communities.”
“But these days, I feel like unless you have a million followers, you won’t get booked by established venues because they don’t want to take the financial risk. It’s scary!”
But some see Live Nation’s ownership as a financial windfall that may have prevented venues from closing and helped improve performers.
“With Live Nation’s backing, they’ll be able to sell more tickets and get more revenue and publicity for Bell House, which I think is a great thing,” stand-up comedian Chanel Omari told The Post.
“Yes, there are some very talented people who deserve the opportunity and the platform, but the downside is that they may not get it because the barrier to entry has been raised,” Omari added.
Comedian Felicia Madison, talent director for Westside Comedy Club, feels the sale is an example of “a rising tide floats all boats” and that “if Live Nation runs it right, it will be a great opportunity for comedians.”
