After a silence in the Allston music scene caused by the pandemic-related closure in 2020, Great Scott is gearing up to make its much-anticipated return. The iconic music venue, which over the years hosted an array of talent on the cusp of fame including the likes of Charli XCX, MGMT, and Phoebe Bridgers, is set to reopen in a new location not far from its original spot—mere blocks away at the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Cambridge Street, CBS News Boston reported.
The move comes after a significant community response, with more than 25,000 individuals opposing Great Scott's closure, and a successful crowdfunding campaign that generated over $300,000. According to Boston.com, this impressive effort helped secure the venue's new home, which now, unlike its predecessor which was on a month-to-month lease, will be a property under the venue's ownership.
The plan for the revitalized Great Scott includes integration into a mixed-use development, featuring retail space, and apartments alongside a refurbished and modernized venue. A sizeable portion of the new space will be allocated to Great Scott, capable of accommodating 300 guests, while a smaller 75-person capacity will be dedicated to O'Brien's Pub, its longtime associated establishment, as detailed by Boston.com.
"This partnership with Paul and Jordan has enabled us to create an economic model that will not only allow a new Great Scott to be built but, for it to be successful for many more years," Carl Lavin, longtime talent buyer for Great Scott, said in a press release, signalling a significant collaboration between music industry and real estate professionals. The innovative design is credited to local architects CambridgeSeven and touts not only classic dive-bar charm but also updated amenities for enhanced artist and audience experiences, highlighted by state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
While the owners anticipate that the entire process, including permitting, design and construction, may span until 2026, the revitalized Great Scott aims to continue fostering the rich musical tradition of Allston with a blend of established programming and forward-thinking initiatives. As the ownership expressed in a statement obtained by CBS News Boston, the club's return is about "bringing back a space where future music legends take their first steps toward greatness, keeping the gritty yet rich musical tradition of Allston alive."
