Exceptional venue in an exceptional town
Napa, Calif. – When one of your favorite bands visit one of your favorite destinations in Northern California, you go.
Band of Horses trekked into Napa’s Uptown Theatre last night for a stop along their “Why Are You Ok Tour”. The Wild Feathers opened the show with a brief and energetic set.
This was our first adventure to the Uptown Theatre, a 1937 art deco masterpiece that has been beautifully restored with modern touches. The venue with a capacity of 860 has been attracting big names for years with its close proximity to the Bay Area and Sacramento region. One visit and you’ll quickly see why people rave about this place.
Located on the corner of Third Street and Franklin, the Uptown is situated perfectly for either a quick concert n’ go visit or a “spend the day” before catching a show.
Despite our best efforts, a full day of wine and dine in Napa was subverted by pesky responsibilities. Undeterred, we forged ahead with a late start and arrived about a hour prior to show time. Free parking is plentiful around the theatre after 6:00 pm and we grabbed a convenient spot within 50 yards from the entrance.
Arrive a little earlier and take advantage of the vibrant bar and restaurant scene that surrounds you. First Street is just a couple blocks over for easy exploration.
We entered the facility a little early to chat with some other fans and grab a few photos. The staff were very friendly and the vibe was very relaxed. A wristband upon entering allows for In/Out privileges. During set breaks, the ability to walk outside for some fresh air was well appreciated by fans.
As the lights dimmed and Band of Horses hit the first notes of Dull Times / The Moon off their latest album, we had a sense this was going to be a fun night. From the start, the band members seemed very loose on stage as humorous banter between members and the audience supplemented the great music. As one fan was overheard remarking, “all killer, no filler”, others simply smiled and nodded their heads in agreement. They followed with one great song after another including, Great Salt Lake, The First Song and a terrific solo acoustic version by of St. Augustine by Ben Bridwell. As the band roared into fan favorite and set closer, “Is There a Ghost”, the crowd took to their dancing feet. Following the encore which included one of our favorites, “The Funeral”, we headed back to Roseville and called it a night.
The sound quality is very good and stage views are excellent from any seat in the theatre. The volume was more powerful (in a good way) than many venues we’ve attended. Ear plugs are available for more sensitive ears.
So, the next time one of your favorite bands visits Napa’s Uptown Theatre, may we suggest that you consider going?
An exceptional venue in an exceptional town.
http://uptowntheatrenapa.com
