Check out Rockwood Music Hall

Three stages, chock full of warm inviting good times. Rockwood music hall is a staple of the bowery music scene. In our latest interview, we chat with photographer Kevin McGann about the legendary venue. All photos by Kevin McGann

Rockwood Music Hall Interior by, Kevin McGann

Describe Rockwood Music Hall to us in your own words.

Rockwood Music Hall is a musician’s venue. With 3 different stages it offers an opportunity for a wide range of artists to perform. Whether it’s a small local act trying to build a following, or an out of town artist who doesn’t have a NY following yet, or a more well-known artist who just wants a smaller more intimate show, there’s literally a stage for them all. And for those of us in attendance, it offers an opportunity to experience it without a huge noisy crowd, to be able to really listen and feel like a part of the gig.

What is the funniest thing you ever saw at Rockwood Music Hall?

I’ve captured a lot of singer-songwriters at Rockwood, and there’s always those moments where there’s a hush over the crowd. Where it’s just someone singing over the strumming of their guitar and you can literally hear someone order a drink at the bar. Well one night, and I don’t even remember who was playing at the time, someone decided to take their cellphone out and snap a pic. Only they managed to trigger some sort of positive affirmation recording. So suddenly in the middle of someone’s song you hear in like Siri’s voice, “You are a good person and people gravitate to you”. I just remember the dude scrambling to make it stop but it was too late, everyone around him lost it.

What band was the most fun to shoot at Rockwood Music Hall? Why?

This is a tough one to answer. I’ve seen a lot and even shot a few of my friend’s album release shows there. But I’d have to say the Nada Surf show this past February. They had just played to a packed house at Music Hall of Williamsburg a few nights earlier when they announced they were going to play Rockwood’s Stage 2 as part of WFUV Presents. It was a stripped-down, seated, more intimate show with like a VH1 Storytellers vibe. I could barely get a shot as they insisted that the shorter people get upfront and those like me at 6’2” stay back. Meanwhile, the band was seated so I could only get the back of people’s heads. At some point, though space opened right up front so I jumped in, squatted down, and fired off as many shots as I could before jumping back out. There were some real diehards who have stuck with the band since the beginning so there was a lot of love in the room that night.

If you had to choose between shooting in color or black and white which would you pick? Why?

If I had to choose between the two, I would have to choose color for one obvious reason. I can always convert a color photo to black and white! Haha…but seriously, there are situations where one works better than the other. For smaller gigs like Rockwood or Pianos or Bowery Electric, black and white works perfectly well. But for larger gigs like Webster Hall or Terminal 5, where you’ve got all sorts of colored lights, video screens, more of a ‘show’, then you can really only capture it with color photography.

What does the name “Rockwood Music Hall“ mean to you?

When I’m looking up shows, I always have an immediate reaction to the venue listed. Some good, some bad. But Rockwood Music Hall to me means a good night. You go long enough and you start to see the same friendly faces and end up discussing your recent shows over a beer. And while most venues have 1 show for the night, Rockwood has back to back gigs starting at 6 or 7 pm and ending at 11 or 12 pm. So going for 1 show could end up with you paying for 2 or 3 shows and discovering a new artist (or an artist new to you).

Do you wear earplugs at Rockwood Music Hall?

Huh? What? I stupidly have not worn earplugs to any of the shows I’ve gone to, whether in front of the camera or behind it. Even if I did, I don’t think I would at Rockwood. They have a good sound system without ever blasting it to the point of leaving you deaf. It’s another one of the perks of a smaller, listening room type space.

How would you describe your photography style?

I used to describe my style as being more like portraits taken from live shows. And a lot of that had to do with the fact that I was shooting these smaller, acoustic type shows without a lot of movement. I would look to capture the artist at their most still, introspective moments where you could get a glimpse of who they are. In the months leading up to the pandemic though I was starting to capture bigger shows, at bigger venues, and trying to capture the movement on stage. Whenever I finally get to jump back in a pit, it’s something I want to find the balance in – both the movement as well as the more subdued moments.

How’s the sound at Rockwood Music Hall?

The thing I love about Rockwood is they provide 3 different experiences and the sound is great for each one. Stage 1 is your small, house party feel where you’ve got an artist or band on one side, the bar on the other, and the audience in between. Sound is natural and doesn’t need to be overly amped. Stage 2 is a much larger space, high ceiling with balcony type seating, and the music fills the space nicely. And Stage 3 is your seated, table service, setup – picture like a downstairs jazz hall with once again, a natural sound without being overly amped for the space.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

My first comment is that I hope Rockwood Music Hall is still standing strong when in-person live music resumes. I can’t imagine there not being a Rockwood to showcase NYC’s music scene. To anyone not familiar with RMH, make sure you experience the magic that happens there when the doors reopen. And until then, go online and check out their calendar for live music streams and help support both the artists and the venue!