Live Music Venues in Worcester, MA

Worcester is not the most famous city in Massachusetts. it's maybe not even second or third most famous city in Massachusetts. But that doesn't't stop this burg about an hour west of Boston from having an arena fit for bigtime acts and plenty of small venues where people can hear live music.

Worcester DCU Center (50 Foster St. 508-755-6800) formerly the Worcester Centrum is a 14,800 civic center in downtown Worcester. As such, yes, the DCU center does host its share of monster truck rallies and wedding expos, but it also has its share of concerts featuring top-flight live acts who are touring through New England. Lynard Skynard was scheduled for early 2006 as was Queen & Paul Rogers and George Strait. Past tours have included Neil Diamond, Madonna, Billy Joel, Sting, and Hillary Duff. Not at the same time. Tickets for the DCU Center are sold at ticketmaster.com

Lucky Dog Music Hall (89 Green St. 508-363-1888) is a live venue in Worcester mainly featuring local rock acts with obscure but I'm sure very meaningful names. Actually, the website is very amusing (there are sections with bogus trivia and a recipes page…) which makes one think it doesn't take itself too seriously. Some bands listed on the schedule were slightly known (The Mulletheads) or included musicians people "in the know" apparently might know (several guitarists were listed as "legendary" and may very well be.) The website notes that the Rolling Stones played at the venue once in the 80s when it was under different management. One recurring event at The Lucky Dog Music Hall are "Worm City Wednesdays" a ten band, ten set, no cover night. (To find out what Wormtown is, or at least to try, check the website www.wormtown.org ) Free events seem to be frequent at the Lucky Dog, according the website. Age for event entrance is 21 unless someone says otherwise.

TAMMANY HALL (43 Pleasant Street, (508) 791-6550) hosts live booked rock bands and open mic nights. Bands include local talent of the original and cover variety. Open mic-ers perform every Tuesday and may want to note the venue makes recordings of performances "upon request" for a "nominal charge." Tammany Hall's mic is open to acts of "all kinds" aged 18 or over "no cover, no attitude." Would-be performers are urged to call ahead and be ready with a set of up to 30 minutes. Slots run from 9PM-1AM. Tammany Hall also accepts private parties (20-200 people) for functions. The website, www.tamhall.com has an online info request form for interested partiers.

Ralph's Chadwich Square Diner (148 Grove St, 508-753-9543) offers "live music…killer burgers" and seems to be one of those local joints everybody knows about. The owner's blog (linked at the homepage) refers to the place as an "institution." This particularly institution's schedule looks to be packed to the brim with rock acts sporting those lovable obscure names again. Then again the name U2 was probably obscure at one point, too. The minimum age is 21. All shows start at 9PM unless noted otherwise according to the site.

Mechanic's Hall (321 Main Street , 508-752-5608) is a venue to check out if you're looking for live music outside the rock genre in Worcester. Mechanic's Hall hosts all sorts of concerts from symphonies from all over the world sponsered by Music Worcester, Inc. to "brown bag" and summer jazz series ponsored by WICN Public radio. According to the WICN website, artists who have or are scheduled to appear in jazz-related concert series include Joshua Redman, the Dave Brubek Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Mechanic's Hall is a registered historic site and non-profit organization. It's also home to the Worcester Music Festival.