A historic ballroom-style venue with capacity of ~1,200. Irving Plaza has served many identities: a 1940s ballroom, a Polish community center, and from the late '70s onward, a crucial rock concert hall. Known for hosting diverse genres – punk, new wave, metal, alternative, pop – over different eras.
Debut NYC punk venue – in 1978, Irving Plaza was one of the first old dance halls to embrace punk. Early shows included The B-52's, Talking Heads, Ramones. In the '80s hosted hardcore matinees and alternative acts (Nirvana played in 1991). Remains vital, hosting everything from Green Day secret shows to hip-hop concerts. Had several closures/reopenings: 1978–1985 (first run), 1986–1988 (second run), 1990s–present (third run). In 1979, Pope John Paul II (then a cardinal) gave a speech here to Polish-Americans. Clash shows in 1981 saw fans nearly riot.
São Paulo, Brazil
Los Angeles, United States
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Osaka, Japan
Barcelona, Spain
New York, United States
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