Tidbits: Cabinet And Hagerstown’s Live Music Epicenter
Originally Posted March 2nd, 2012
I’ve been catching shows at Hempen Hill BBQ in Hagerstown for a little over a year now and consistently I’ve seen top notch performances. Yes, Hempen Hill BBQ is a restaurant, but the food mongers are there for the music just as much as the food (and awesome selection of beer on tap). You won’t find overly loud and chatty patrons at this cozy and spacious establishment with wooden flooring and high ceilings like many other restaurant venues. Hempen Hill really defies all odds for being a successful music venue. First it’s a restaurant, Second it’s in a shopping center, and Third it’s not downtown. However, this little venture in BBQ and live music keeps truckin along picking up steam each and every year. They have also built a very healthy patron base ranging from college kids to middle aged professionals, which is why I’ll deem them the epicenter of live music in Hagerstown even if they are geographically offset north of town toward Maugansville. If you’ve never been to Hempen Hill BBQ, you might think about jumping right in at their annual Wake and Bake event on April 6th featuring a full day of music, food, and cheap drinks.
So, what made me bring all this Hempen Hill hype up in the first place? The crazy good new grass Americana boys from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA called Cabinet who played there last Saturday (02/25/12)! Cabinet who are on the verge of a new release put on a stellar toe tappin partner swinging set for the dense and raucous crowd. The good folks at Hempen Hill even taped the show directly from the sound board, check out the live recording ( here ). While you’re waiting for the new Cabinet album, I highly recommend picking up their first self entitled release. It’s worth every penny to add this upbeat and instrumentally entertaining bit of modern bluegrass to your collection. Ranging from wholesome hooks to instrumental jams there is a lot to appreciate in Cabinet’s style.
I’ve been catching shows at Hempen Hill BBQ in Hagerstown for a little over a year now and consistently I’ve seen top notch performances. Yes, Hempen Hill BBQ is a restaurant, but the food mongers are there for the music just as much as the food (and awesome selection of beer on tap). You won’t find overly loud and chatty patrons at this cozy and spacious establishment with wooden flooring and high ceilings like many other restaurant venues. Hempen Hill really defies all odds for being a successful music venue. First it’s a restaurant, Second it’s in a shopping center, and Third it’s not downtown. However, this little venture in BBQ and live music keeps truckin along picking up steam each and every year. They have also built a very healthy patron base ranging from college kids to middle aged professionals, which is why I’ll deem them the epicenter of live music in Hagerstown even if they are geographically offset north of town toward Maugansville. If you’ve never been to Hempen Hill BBQ, you might think about jumping right in at their annual Wake and Bake event on April 6th featuring a full day of music, food, and cheap drinks.
So, what made me bring all this Hempen Hill hype up in the first place? The crazy good new grass Americana boys from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA called Cabinet who played there last Saturday (02/25/12)! Cabinet who are on the verge of a new release put on a stellar toe tappin partner swinging set for the dense and raucous crowd. The good folks at Hempen Hill even taped the show directly from the sound board, check out the live recording ( here ). While you’re waiting for the new Cabinet album, I highly recommend picking up their first self entitled release. It’s worth every penny to add this upbeat and instrumentally entertaining bit of modern bluegrass to your collection. Ranging from wholesome hooks to instrumental jams there is a lot to appreciate in Cabinet’s style.
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