When the renovated State Theatre re-opened in October 2010 after a four-year shutdown, the new owners and managers were hoping for big year in 2011 — maybe 60 shows.
It ended up doing about 80. And 2012 is already shaping up to be an even bigger year for the State, a beautifully restored 1929 movie palace that helps anchors Portland’s arts district.
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“With a 1,600 (seat) capacity, it’s big enough to get some amazing artists in the room but still maintains a really cool, really intimate feel. A true fan can literally get up front and personal,” said Lauren Wayne, the State Theatre’s general manager.
During its first year after re-opening, the State has attracted dozens of major artists, including My Morning Jacket, Goo Goo Dolls, The Pixies and Elvis Costello.
This year, the State is again booking shows at a rapid pace, including several acts as big, if not bigger than, acts that have played there before.
Jane’s Addiction, a legendary band that played a major role in kicking off the alt-rock revolution in the late ’80s, is scheduled to play the State on March 3. The Black Keys, which recently sold out Madison Square Garden, are being brought to Portland by the State Theatre on March 6, hot on the heels of their No. 2 album “El Camino.”
Other acts run the gamut from classic rock (Bob Weir, Pat Benatar, Peter Frampton) and modern rock (Jack’s Mannequin, Chevelle, Need to Breathe) to folk-pop (The Head & The Heart) and electronica (Dada Life, Excision).
“In one sense, it’s a surprise things have gone so well there, but I’m not really surprised, because I know that the people who work there really know what they’re doing,” said Chris Brown, head of marketing for the Maine-based Bull Moose Music store chain. “When they opened, it was like an explosion, one great show after another. And they just kept going.”
The Black Keys show will be at the Cumberland County Civic Center, which can hold more than 5,000 people compared to the State’s 1,600 or so. Last fall, the State Theatre team brought Furthur, featuring Grateful Dead alums, to the civic center.
This partnership between the State and the civic center is another sign that the State is going after big acts and is willing to be creative in bringing them to Portland.
Another sign of that came last summer when the State Theatre put on some outdoor shows at the Ocean Gateway marine terminal. Wayne says she will continue to bring big acts to other venues when appropriate.
“We will look to do shows at the civic center or outside at (Ocean Gateway) if it makes sense for us as promoters and for the artist,” said Wayne.
The State has more than a dozen acts on its schedule into May, and Wayne has more booked that she says she’ll announce soon.
Since being converted from a pornographic theater in early 1990s, the State has been run by several groups and shut down several times. Wayne thinks the current incarnation has been successful in part because of the theater’s unique vibe, history and customer base.
“The crowds are usually fantastically vocal in their appreciation as well, so artists want to keep coming back,” she said.
Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:
rrouthier@pressherald.com
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