First Place: The Kent Stage
The Kent Stage is one of Kent’s most important spaces for live music.
Originally built as a silent movie theater in 1927, the Kent Stage has evolved to be integral in the city’s music scene, bringing in artists from outside of Kent while also highlighting local voices.
Named the Best Acoustic Venue in Northeast Ohio by The Plain Dealer, the Kent Stage hosts a variety of performances, including its monthly Rocky Horror shows. It’s one of the theater’s most popular acts, which includes students and community members in its performance.
The owner of the Kent Stage, Tom Simpson, said the Kent Stage has been showcasing classic rock music since 2001, but has had folk music at its forefront for decades.
Simpson, a Kent State alumnus himself, has been the owner of the Kent Stage since 2002. He said the acoustics are one of the most attractive parts of the theater.
“There aren’t other places like the Kent Stage in Ohio,” Simpson said.
Each year, the Kent Stage has hosted the Kent Blues Festival, Up from the River Music Festival and the Kent State Folk Festival since 2002. They also host around 150 concerts a year.
Second Place: The Outpost
The Outpost has been a longstanding gathering place for local music since the 1970s. The concert club was founded by owner Mike Casamento. It features an outdoor patio, four stages and four bars.
The local music club, located at 4962 Route 43 in Kent, hosts a variety of events each week. Trent Parker, a promoter at the Outpost, plays an important role in creating the club’s unique events.
There’s usually a DJ playing music and requesting songs, but local and touring musicians, artists and entertainers have performances at the club nearly every week.
Parker started Emo Night Kent, a recurring event that features bands playing metal-core and death-core music. Parker said this event, and all of the other ones throughout the year, create a close community between fans and performers.
“All of our events are welcoming for everyone,” Parker said.
The Outpost hosts different events every Thursday, where students from the university get in free for the first hour.
Third Place: The Burnt Pickle
The Burnt Pickle has sat right off East Main Street since its opening in Sep. 2021. As one of the newer bars in Kent, the Burnt Pickle hosts theme nights every week.
Wednesdays are for Karaoke and Thursdays feature line-dancing country nights. Each Thursday, there are $10 lessons for line-dancing newcomers from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., before the floor opens up to everyone.
A big part of the Burnt Pickle, however, is its live music. The bar has a stage and a diverse lineup of musicians—perfect for live performances. One of its most recent days filled with live performances was March 24, where it featured bands Tape and Tears, Skeleton Drive and Quiver the Busker.
A popular spot for those under 21 years old, the Burnt Pickle allows customers 18 years and older. The bar also collaborates with fraternities and sororities, raising money for fundraisers and other events.
The Burnt Pickle is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Kayla Gleason is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
