Emerson Theater

The acoustics in this venue were so terrible we left after one of our favorite bands-​Mae-​played two songs. Two bands opened for Mae. They both sounded terrible as well and I don’t believe this was any fault of the bands. I wouldn’t waste my money on a performance at this venue, unless you are merely hoping to meet a band member.
There is no obvious parking for this venue and we didn’t feel comfortable parking on the street, so we opted for the Kroger a couple blocks down. We contemplated leaving after assessing the parking situation and I wish we had.
Staff were kind and the restrooms were clean on our visit.

I’ve been playing the Emerson since 2009 and I have noticed two things have never changed. The venue still looks like a run down warehouse and the staff still treats everyone with disrespect. The run down look I can handle, I mean it affects them more then us anyway, but the staff not being friendly has turned away so many people over the years. Then agian, what other choice do we have in terms of an all ages venue in Indy? It’a either this or the Hoosier Dome.

Decent venue. Wasn’t too big or too small. I think just right. Wish it sold alcohol though. Other than that you get what you paid for.

The Emerson is what you would call middle of the road. Occasionally, it still hosts a great hardcore show, but the venue is almost dilapidated and has a hard time drawing the great crowds it used to bring in. The major issue with the Emerson has always been the sound. Whether the system or the sound engineer, almost every time i have seen or played in a show at this place feedback has run rampant. Its a shame, with some better promoting, and a little dirt and elbow grease the Emerson has a ton of potential. However, its simply to hit and miss at this point.

Yes, it’s falling apart, the bathrooms are probably a health hazard, and the last time I was there I thought the ceiling was going to collapse on my head. But it’s FUN when you’re 17 and can’t see bands at a lot of places in Indy.
I haven’t been here in awhile because I’ve been digging folk rock more than punk rock lately, so I can’t comment on all the sound system updates they’ve gotten. It wasn’t too bad when I was last there anyway though. (About a year ago.)
It’s usually in the range of $ 8 to $ 15 for a show, although some of the bigger acts can be a little bit more.
Really the only problem with this place is the dumb drunk kids that sometimes show up, but that’s not the Emerson’s fault.

Its ‘great’ when you are 15 years old, then you grow up and realize you have spent your money watching the worst bands and hearing the worst sound of any venue in the city.

How could I forget this place? Hot, humid, and the urinals were filled with cockroaches. Though that shouldn’t permit me to give it a low rating! Good times playing there.

This decrepit movie house is filthy, unsafe, and acoustically shit. However, it’s an historic Indy venue, as dumb punk kids from all over the state would flock there weekly for shows, socialization, and the chance to drink beer in a bank parking lot.
This dump really does deserve a mere two star review, but nostalgia kicked in for all the fun times I had here in my salad days, seeing the likes of Sloppy Seconds, the Misfits, Marky Ramone, the Queers, Mr T Experience, Ghoulies, the Skatelites, the Retreads (gasp!), and that famed Ataris show with a drum machine on top of a microwave.
Now, it seems more metal and rap rock bands play than anything else, but this beat-​to-​hell movie theater has a big stage and loudy, farty PA. I can’t really imagine who’d pack the place now (ICP or a Pantera coverband, perhaps?), but were the right act to come through Indy, I’d have no compunction about going back. I’d definitely poop before I left the house, though.

Snort. I’m seriously amused by Albertro’s review of The Emerson. While I agree that it’s dirty, and not that great acoustically (but c’mon, it’s a freaking punk theater – did you expect the Sydney Opera House?), I can’t go so far as to say that it’s unsafe. I mean, it’s not in the nicest area of town, but I’ve never felt threatened here, either.
He’s right, however, that it is a historic Indy venue. It’s also the only all-​ages venue of its kind in town, which makes it somewhat annoying for those of us old enough to both vote and drink but wonderful for high school kids with lots of pent-​up angst to vent. And personally, I think it’s important for them to have somewhere to go. Another cool thing about the Emerson is that they exclusively feature local acts every Friday and Saturday night, and save the regional or national folks for the weekdays. This gives young bands a chance to perform and build up a cult following, which I just have to get behind, no matter how dirty the bathrooms are.
I have good memories of the Emerson, and while it’s not really my bag these days, I sure am glad it’s still around.