When you hear that ALO is at the Warehouse, you might think some trucking firm is making a delivery. But in this case, ALO is the eclectic funk/pop/rock band (also known as Animal Liberation Orchestra) on a major tour from its San Francisco Bay homebase, and The Warehouse is Connecticut’s newest music-performance venue.
The Warehouse, which opened in mid-September, is the latest addition to the Fairfield Theater Company empire, which already oversees its original 225-seat Stage One space at 70 Sanford St., Fairfield; the 450-seat Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport; and the 1,000-seat Norwalk Concert Hall.
Directly next door to Stage One, The Warehouse adds a new size to the mix — it holds 640 people for a standing-room show and around 400 if all its folding chairs are put out; many shows there will have some combination of sitting and standing.
John Reid, FTC’s producing artistic director, says that FTC had its eye on the Warehouse space since Stage One first opened in 2004. Money was raised through a capital campaign and construction began last year, with fully a third of the overall $1.5 million budget spent on first-rate lighting and sound systems. Reid rhapsodizes about the space’s “great acoustics” and open feel, with aesthetically exposed joists and beams visible in the high ceilings. The space was inaugurated with a Rusted Root/Jen Durkin and the Business concert on Sept. 17.
Besides the ALO appearance at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, upcoming Warehouse attractions include Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on Friday, Oct. 2, Blue Öyster Cult on Oct. 16, Average White Band on Oct. 17 and Melvin Seals with the Jerry Garcia Band on Oct. 22. That’s a lot of nostalgic rock in one room, but younger acts such as Marc Broussard and The Revivalists are due to play The Warehouse in November.
“There are a huge number of bands touring now that are looking for a venue this size,” Reid says. “It gives us an ability to branch out, do more theater and community events.”
As for musical bookings, the lively ALO should provide a good early test for The Warehouse’s charms. The band — which has been around for about 20 years and eight albums, with a devoted collegiate following and much respect from jam-band festivals — is known for its live ensemble chemistry. ALO audiences like to watch, listen and dance simultaneously. The Warehouse is where they can do that Tuesday.
>>ALO plays the The Warehouse, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m. $25. fairfieldtheatre.org and 230-259-1036.
