The Ear Drum

I feel venue reviews would be a good part of this blog, mostly because half the enjoyment of a show comes from the actual venue you are seeing the performers in. Thus, people should know how each venue around Gainesville is in terms of quality.

This brings me to The Laboratory, one of the smaller music clubs in Gainesville, nestled away about a block from Wild Iris Books in midtown.

If the Laboratory had a specialization in music that they present, it would be hip-hop and electronic, with MC Frontalot performing there this Tuesday. They also host other various events, such as poetry readings in the spring.

The Laboratory is located on University, but it is extremely difficult to locate. The sign is somewhat concealed, and the actual venue is not on the main street.

The exterior is not too flashy, with just a small patio area. The inside is where the Laboratory really shines.

The Laboratory, as it’s name suggests, has a very scientific theme. The major light source comes from black lights, and you can grab a lab coat off of a coat hanger to get that surreal purple glow on you’re entire body.

There are also various neon lights displaying things like a heart monitor, or even a flashing light box used to display x-ray negatives. The walls are covered in illustrations of tentacles reaching down from the ceiling, and this continues throughout the club, even into the small bathrooms.

Though the venue is small, there is a good amount of floor space for dancing and general flailing. The stage is nothing special, basically a raised wooden platform, but it is large enough for performers to move around and can support a good sized band.

The staff are very friendly, like most local venues, and are very easy to talk to. In addition to the standard beer and drinks, the Laboratory also offers food, such as sandwiches and nachos.

The Laboratory also seems to be a very close knit club, most likely due to its size. You can quickly spot the regulars, such as Tom Miller who performs his poetry there every Monday (he looks kind of like Stephen King).

Overall, the Laboratory is a great place to relax and meet good people, and one of the best places in town to enjoy local hip-hop and electronica. Though it is a bit of a chore to find, and can be cramped at times, its qualities highly outweigh its faults.