The Guild Theatre — Attraction in Menlo Park

Wow!

I almost hate to share this because this momentarily hardly known music venue will undoubtedly explode with fans of live music. It is awesome!

First, the total transformation of the former Guild movie theater into this music/performance space is absolutely beautiful! What a great job they did!

Secondly, but even more importantly...the sound/acoustics. OMG! Totally excellent! One of the best sounding music venues anywhere!!!

I have been to two shows in the span of three days during the first week of it's opening, with completely different bands, different instruments, different musical dynamics, and the sound has been absolutely fantastic.

Maybe there is a magician doing the sound mix at this place...if so, please keep that person in place!...but I have to think that the architectural acoustics and the sound system were simply "done right!" Amazing!

It is a small space, a split level (yay!) main floor that is usually going not going to have any seating...just room to get close and dance...and an upper mezzanine level with a small number of seats for reserved sitting.

I will surely become a fixture at this place. Feel free to say hi when you see me there up front!

--July 2022-- Seven shows later and this place continues to amaze. The only thing that has changed is that The Guild has gained awareness among lovers of live music and shows are more crowded than they routinely were just 2-3 months ago. More shows are selling out. So if interested in possibly attending a show, just go ahead and get the tickets, you won't...

Update: This is our 3rd time seeing a show here. This time, it was to watch Matisyahu. Show was GA (General Admission) and there was a good turnout. The place was packed. The show was magnificent.

Update: This is our second time here. We came here to see Glen Phillips. The show wasn't general admission but rather arranged seating. We got our tickets late but managed to secure seats upstairs in the mezzanine. One thing is for sure, this venue has an amazing sound system and stage lighting.

This is the first time watching live music at this venue and decided to see Big Head Todd and The Monsters (with opening act, The Barlow) for the New Year Eve show. Upon entering, the entrance floor is where the bar (on the left) and the sound & lighting booth (straight ahead) are located. The main floor is divided into 2 tiers and is separated by a handrail (IMO the best location is the 2nd tier on the main floor in front the handrail because you'll be eye level with the band). Upstairs is the 2nd bar and balcony for vip ticket holders. This place may be small when compared to other venues (like HopMonk or Moe's Alley) but I prefer the setup here since you get a good view of the bands no matter where you're standing. The sound quality and lightning effects are def comparable to a Slayer or Slipknot or Gojira shows. Lastly, exiting the venue and walking to your car isn't crazy...

WoW, what an awesome new state of the art venue! Beautiful! The sound is incredible, I've always felt the Meyer Sound is the best, and having their Lena array in this intimate and cozy concert space is perfect! Every frequency is crystal clear - and OMG that huge sub-base hanging up there is absolutely incredible. It brings the music to life making you feel all those low and slow frequencies. Even at low volume you feel the vibrations tickle through you. It makes me want to learn more about that big box hanging up there. And the visuals, well the whole place is beautiful but just the onstage visuals, again all state of art. The new Guild didn't bother with the old standard par cans, strip lights, or floods, instead there were five pipes filled with intelligent computer-controlled moving lights capable of full range of colors, shapes, and and dancing patterns. Apparently no expense was spared to provide the people of Menlo Park a wonderful venue in their hometown.

I'm looking forward to returning with friends to...