Louisville's all-ages shows bouncing back
One of the most fervent periods in any music fan's life comes early on, during the grade school years. Every favorite band becomes your life, every song an anthem.
It's also a time when seeing live music isn't easy. Arena shows and festivals are an option, but largely impersonal: There's precious little to own, to claim. But seeing bands in a club has always had that element of belonging to a secret society.
The all-ages scene in Louisville has been spotty for many years, but there's hope. Modern Cult Records has been offering a steady stream of shows since Sean Liter and Tyler Chanley opened in late 2013, and last week promoter Joel Hunt debuted an all-ages concert series at The New Vintage.
"People seem into it and actually grateful to have a place to play and hang out, especially when it comes to younger bands that aren't old enough to play the bars or have fans that can't see them play bars, " Liter said.
Hunt, who produces shows under the Other Side of Life banner, will specialize in matinee performances on Sundays at The New Vintage. It's the perfect opportunity for kids (and adults with responsibilities and/or aging motors) to connect with live music.
"We really want this to be a community effort on the behalf of and for Louisville's music scene," Hunt said. "My first ever show was a Sunday all-ages show at Tewligans back in 1988 when I was 12 years old, with Rollins Band and Kinghorse, so this is something that as a promoter I've always to do."
Modern Cult has adopted a DIY approach with young bands, letting them put together the show and take home the money. Modern Cult handles the sound and makes flyers if the bands haven't already, but largely stays out of the way.
READ MORE | Modest Mouse throws curveballs on 'Strangers'
"You have to create space for people if you want them to organize themselves, if you want them to succeed," Liter said. "Young people need their autonomy."
It's worth noting that all-ages shows are just that. While the emphasis is rightly on ages 20 and under, it's a community scene.
"Most of the people I went to all-ages shows with when we were all kids have their own kids now, and I know more than a few of them would like to show their kids something similar to what we enjoyed in 1990s Louisville," Hunt said. "I definitely want to engage more kids in helping to plan these shows, as well as playing them."
Jeffrey Lee Puckett can be reached at (502) 582-4160, jpuckett@courier-journal.com and on Twitter, @JLeePuckett.
Upcoming all-ages shows
Tashi Dorji and Exacta Cube, Saturday, 6 p.m., free; Ativin, Anwar Sadat and Karass, April 18, $10, both at The New Vintage, 2126 S. Preston St.
Improv Quartet, with Misha Feigin, Steve Good, Jacob Duncan and Jon Silpayamanant, Saturday, 9 p.m., $5 donation; Gubbey Records band Blind Tigers has its cassette-release show with Opposable Thumbs, Satellite Twin, April 11, 8 p.m, $5 donation; Desmadrados Soldados De Ventura, Pedal Party. 8 p.m., April 15, 8 p.m., $5, all at Modern Cult Records, 2001 Frankfort Ave.
A few other places to catch an all-ages show in Louisville: The Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. Fourth St.; Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd.; Diamond Pub & Billiards, 630 Barret Ave.; Spinelli's Downtown, 239 S. Fifth St.; New Albany Production House, 1736 E Main St., New Albany, IN