Virginia native Dave Grohl played a surprise solo set during the venue’s 30th anniversary show last year. Photograph by Kyle Gustafson
Here’s something you may not know about the 9:30 Club: Despite its size, in terms of ticket attendance it’s the most successful music venue in the world. Last night the 9:30 Club won the Top Club prize at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards, making it a third consecutive win for the V Street venue.
The 1,200-capacity club moved to its current venue in 1996 and has been honored multiple times by industry publication Pollstar as Nightclub of the Year. Owners Rich Heinecke and Seth Hurwitz have helped make it into one of the best locations for live music in the country, popular among both fans and bands. While the opening of the Fillmore in Silver Spring earlier this year might have worried organizers for a while (read our in-depth feature on the two venues here), it seems the 9:30 Club won’t be losing its crown anytime soon. Check out our slideshow to see some of 9:30’s most notable recent shows (yes, including 2010’s infamous Hole concert).
