Worcester Palladium Information
Worcester Palladium is an all-ages concert hall located in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was originally designed and opened as a theatre in 1928 and was known as the Plymouth Theatre. Today, it still maintains that identity and has a seating capacity of over 2,000 visitors in the Main Room and 500 in the upstairs room. And it quickly became famous as a venue for rock and metal bands.
This live music venue has built its reputation through decades of delivering unforgettable performances across multiple genres. If you’d like to discover what sets the Worcester Palladium apart from other concert venues, you’ll want to explore its rich history, exceptional amenities, and steadfast commitment to artists and fans. Understanding what makes this venue such a treasure among music lovers helps you appreciate the experience awaiting you.
Reputation and Recognition of The Worcester Palladium
It’s no surprise that The Worcester Palladium has earned its reputation as an artist-first live music venue. Throughout the season, you can experience shows run by industry experts who have seen exactly what artists and their audiences need around the globe. This commitment to excellence has attracted legendary performers to Worcester, including the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Prince, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, and many others.
This venue even gained national recognition when a renowned music channel selected it for special tapings. You might also recognize the setting from its appearance on a paranormal reality television show that took advantage of the building’s historic character. More recently, The Worcester Palladium has also served as the proud home of the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the genre.
The Types of Events You Can Attend at the Concert Hall
When you browse the lineup, you’re sure to find an eclectic mix of concert events hosted by this versatile venue. Rock and metal bands tend to dominate the schedule, but you’ll also discover plenty of hip-hop artists, punk shows, alternative acts, and occasional comedy performances to keep you entertained.
The two-room setup at The Worcester Palladium allows it to host different shows simultaneously. You’ll usually find a major touring act dominating the downstairs while emerging artists are performing upstairs, all on the same night. Typically, the Main Room handles all the large-scale productions, while the Upstairs venue creates intimate club experiences or provides a unique space for private events.
Either way, The Worcester Palladium’s layout means that you can catch everything from nationally touring headliners to local favorites building their following. The venue books shows throughout the week, so if you’re in town and ready to see live music, you’ll have plenty of opportunities.
The Worcester Venue’s Notable Amenities and Services
What can you expect to find at this concert venue? Concertgoers may appreciate the well-stocked bars throughout the venue that serve a full selection of beverages. To purchase alcohol, you must be 21 or older and present valid identification at the door, where security will provide a wristband.
You may also appreciate the various snack stands that appear at larger events, providing refreshments to keep you energized. Look out for the merchandise stands that allow you to purchase artist memorabilia and commemorate your experience.
The history of the Worcester Palladium
The well known music venue and concert hall has had a long and illustrious history, having served as a popular concert hall for more than a century. Since its opening in 1910, the Worcester Palladium has hosted some of the greatest concert talents from across the nation. From Rock ‘n’ Roll to Jazz, Blues, and everything in between, this beloved live music entertainment venue has seen it all.
The Palladium’s iconic history began in 1910 when the venue opened as a silent movie theater called “The Emerson”. After five years operating as a successful movie theater, the name was changed to the “Garden Theater”. From here on it offered vaudeville acts, concerts, and even opera! During the 1930s, the Worcester Palladium became a popular destination for swing bands and Jazz music! From then on it, the venue was known as a bastion of live music. It hosted the likes of Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Erroll Garner, and Count Basie.
In the 1950s and ’60s, the Palladium became the go-to place for Rock ‘n’ Roll. Acts like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard all rocked the stage and were supported by local bands and rising stars of the music world. After shifting focus in the ’80s, the Palladium came back into prominence in the ’90s with Punk, Indie Rock, and alternative acts. It was THE breeding ground for legendary pioneering artists such as The Dismemberment Plan, NoFX, and Rancid, who defined the American Punk sound of that era.
Today, the Worcester Palladium continues to serve as an important hub for emerging and established live music bands and rising talent. Sell out performances have become a staple of this concert halls brilliant musical history, as fans can look forward to an eclectic range of musical styles and talents. It offers a chance to experience some of the best live music to be found in Massachusetts, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
The Palladium’s 100 Years in Quality Entertainment
You can trace The Worcester Palladium’s remarkable journey to becoming a sought-after entertainment destination through nearly a century of American history. From its grand opening as a movie palace in the 1920s to its current status as a premier concert venue, the building behind the music has witnessed dramatic transformations and overcome significant challenges. Learning about its past may enrich your experience when you walk through the doors of time.
The Plymouth Theatre Era
The Worcester Palladium’s story began on November 24, 1928. It opened its doors as the Plymouth Theatre, designed by architect Arlan W. Johnson, who brought his expertise to every aspect of the build after having already created theaters in five other states.
The theater’s grand opening featured Tempest, a film starring John Barrymore (grandfather of actress Drew Barrymore), movie shorts, and the renowned organist “Buddy” Webber, who played the venue’s Robert Morton pipe organ. The crowds would have witnessed a spectacular scene on the Plymouth’s opening night. Records mention the foyer display of approximately 100 baskets of roses and blooms, and a stage full of banks of palms and additional flowers. Alfred Gottesman leased the Plymouth at that time and personally invited many of the guests to build up momentum.
Unfortunately, like many venues of its kind, it struggled through the Great Depression, closing in June 1929 and remaining shuttered throughout the 1930s. When it reopened in the early 1940s, it had transformed into one of New England’s premier jazz venues. The premium ticket prices reflected its newfound status.
Modern Transformations and Challenges
Theater mogul Elias M. Loew purchased the Plymouth in 1965, renovated it, and then reopened it in December 1967. He kept it going throughout the 1960s and 1970s with large-scale musicals, well-attended operas, and first-run films that audiences didn’t want to miss. During this time, the building underwent multiple closures and renovations, including its 1980 transformation into E.M. Loew’s Center for the Performing Arts.
A decade later, the performing arts venue fell under new ownership and became The Palladium. The early 1990s established the venue’s change of scenery, including a solid reputation for heavy metal and hardcore music with shows by Pantera, White Zombie, Danzig, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
After all of that, the venue faced potential demolition in 2012 when property taxes tripled. However, efforts by the current owner and the MassConcerts booking agent succeeded in saving the historic structure and keeping its entertainment alive for modern audiences.
The Worcester Palladium’s Recent Renovations
When you attend a show at the current Worcester Palladium, you benefit from its major renovations that were completed in 2017. The work completely transformed the venue’s interior with updates like fresh paint, restored art-deco details from the Plymouth Theatre era, and a state-of-the-art lighting system. The venue also added modern heating and air conditioning, updated lobbies, bars, and bathrooms, and installed a new roof to give Massachusetts concertgoers a more comfortable and safer experience.
The improvements made a notable difference, creating a concert environment that made all types of acts and fans feel welcome. When you walk in, you can fully appreciate how the recent renovations have balanced historic preservation with modern amenities. Get ready to enjoy contemporary comfort while experiencing a piece of entertainment history.
Famous Bands That Played at Worcester Palladium
Since 1990, the booking agency MassConcerts has handled booking for the venue. And this has led to an incredible selection of performers. These include the following bands, musicians, and artists:
Blink-182, Bring Me The Horizon, Chelsea Grin, Ensiferum, Evanescence, Fall Out Boy, Four Year Strong, Gov’t Mule, Gwar, Hatebreed, Ice Nine Kills, Jerry Garcia Band, Jimmy Eat World, Kanye West, King Diamond, Korn, Logic, Motionless in White, My Chemical Romance, Nightwish, Of Mice & Men, Palaye Royale, Periphery, Protest the Hero, Rammstein, Reveille, Rob Zombie, Senses Fail, Slayer, Sonata Arctica, Soundgarden, Straight Line Stitch, Suicide Silence, Twelve Foot Ninja, Twenty One Pilots, Tyler The Creator, Whitechapel, Wiz Khalifa, and Years Since the Storm.
And the venue was also used for a live concert DVD by The Devil Wears Prada titled Dead & Alive that was filmed at the Palladium on December 14, 2011.
More Worcester Palladium information:
Ticket Policy:
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Seating Map:
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Parking Information:
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