Zootopia Concert Venues

by Zargothrax Otterton

The bustling megacity of Zootopia is known for many things, whether it's the residents, the culture, or the history. However, it is also home to a stellar live music scene, with a multitude of venues and concerts from every genre. Right here is your guide on where to see a concert, and who to see in concert as well.

Hey, it's ya boi Alister McFluff right back at it (yes my last name isn't Otterton anymore). You might know me for saving the world, singing for the band Pels Raseri, and now being the biggest celebrity in the world. You also know me as an avid concertgoer. For that last part, I guess I can tell you what I am doing today. I will be reviewing many of the venues at which I've seen these shows. I have lived in the city for the past four years and have experienced many shows.

The Cupboard
CAPACITY: 100
LOCATION: Rainforest District
NOTABLE ACTS: Otter Ogan, Hemorrhoidal Malfunction, Betraying the Otters, Vulvodynia, Aether Realm, Rumahoy, Red Panda Radio, Entheos, Kublai Khan, The Lynx Ten Seconds of Life, Brojob
The city's smallest concert venue, this little room can give you a very intimate experience. There is no barricade so you can get right up close to the band. Acts that play here also often do free meet-and-greets after the show, so that is another bonus. This place does get touring acts but also gets bands from the Rainforest District Hardcore Scene as well. Overall, this is an awesome concert venue. I am also especially biased because me seeing Otter Ogan here was the best concert I've ever been to.

Varg's Inferno
CAPACITY: 200
LOCATION: Tundratown
NOTABLE ACTS: Fantoft, Otter Ogan, Revnarok, Otters of Metal, Otter to Prevail, Wind Rose, Mayhem, Watain, Dark Funeral
With an exterior themed to look like a burning church, this bar in Tundratown often gets some pretty heavy shows. Often, bands include local black metal bands from the Tundratown scene. Revi Hedensk (who you might know as one of my friends) has played here with bands in the past, and so has Palmer Dulap. Dashley Mustelle also saw Otter Ogan here one time. This place is also barricade-free and absolutely full of metal memorabilia. There is a bar when you walk in and the stage is in the back room. The only problem here is that many of the shows here have an age limit (the drinking age in Zootopia is 20 so I have a few years). I did once manage to see a few local Tundratown bands at a matinee show and I'm pretty sure Revi was in one of them.

Fear Of The Dark
CAPACITY: 350
LOCATION: Savanna Central
NOTABLE ACTS: Nekrogoblikon, Badger Omens, Unleash The Archers, Brand Of Sacrifice, Cane Hill, Spite
This underground club (with an elevator and small bar at the top), is named directly after the Iron Marten song. Located close to many of the other concert venues in the area, it remains one of the smallest in the city. However, it still manages to attract many touring bands. The sound is also very stellar and the stage is a nice height. The front of the stage even has a slight curve to it. This is where I saw Nekrogoblikon and Badger Omens and other shows as well. There is usually no barricade so stage diving is a guaranteed.

Otterhole
CAPACITY: 500
LOCATION: Canal District
NOTABLE ACTS: River Otters of Nihil, Otter To Prevail, Otters of Metal, Battle Beast, Nile, The Faceless
This room is named due to the fact that the owner herself, Rio Lutris, is an otter. It is also located in an underwater tunnel with an elevator to get down there. It usually doesn't have a barricade (though every now and then a show will have one). The stage is higher than at the previous two venues but still not extremely high. The sound is also very good as well. It is mainly floor with a bar area to the side. Some bands that come here might do a meet and greet after the show as well. I've gotten to see The Faceless and River Otters of Nihil here, to name a few. Also, my band Pels Raseri will be doing a surprise show in the near future (don't tell anyone).

SwampHall
CAPACITY: 760
LOCATION: Marshlands
NOTABLE ACTS: Carnifox, Cattle Decapitation, Chelsea Grin, The Lawrence Arms, Sick Puppies, Upon a Burning Body, Fit Fur a King
This venue is on a boat that stays docked. Some shows here have barricades while others don't. There is a small balcony area and a larger floor area. The stage is also very high for some species and can sometimes be hard on the neck. The sound is okay but the lighting is usually pretty good. Bands that play here also often do meet and greets after the show. I did once get to see Carnifox here and there wasn't a barricade for that show so it was very fun.

The Z Club
CAPACITY: 1,000
LOCATION: Savanna Central
NOTABLE ACTS: Weasel War, Bad Wolves, From Ashes to Gnu, The Bouncing Seals, Elkuveitie, Korpiklaani, The Summer Otter Tour, Pup Evil
This venue has a floor section and a raised, tiered area in the back. There is often a barricade, but it can occasionally be removed. This is where you start to get into more major act territory. Bands that play here are starting to break it big and will soon be playing larger rooms. It also gets many good bands and has some pretty good lighting as well. The sound is also very good. Sometimes, bands will also do meet-and-greets here as well. I once caught Pup Evil here (they are from my hometown of Muskegon, so they do have a place in my heart). I've also seen Korpiklaani here and that show was where Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps had their first kiss (ps they're Nick's favorite band).

Sound Galaxy
CAPACITY: 1,500
LOCATION: Meadowlands
NOTABLE ACTS: Gloryhammer, Elkaline Trio, Ice Nine Quills, Dragonforce, Against Me!, Testament, Ermine Callboy, Three Days Graze, Starsett

This venue has a smaller wraparound balcony and a larger floor area. The stage is relatively large and there is also a large bar area over to the side. The sound is pretty good here and so are the sightlines. Even the balcony has good sightlines (though nowadays I usually go on the floor). Every show here has a barricade. The roof is also relatively high for this place. I once got to see Ice Nine Quills here and it was great.

House of Roos
CAPACITY: 1,976
LOCATION: Outback Island
NOTABLE ACTS: In Hearts Wombat, Barkway Drive, The Amity Affliction, Thy Art is Murder, Northlane, Midnight Oil, Aversions Crown, Silverchair, Lagerstein, The Hoodoo Kangaroos
This venue mainly hosts Australian/Outback bands. I've seen The Amity Affliction here (and they killed). This was once a theatre, but all of the seats are removed. The standing is tiered and there is also a tiered balcony as well. The only problem is that it might take a long time go get there. There is also a barricade for every show. Sometimes the balcony is closed off if the band isn't big enough. Winston Trundleby is often seen here at shows and once got his old band to open for Thy Art Is Murder.

The Music Room
LOCATION: Savanna central
CAPACITY: 2,500
NOTABLE ACTS: Alestorm, The Gazelle Anthem, The Interrupters, Motionless in White Fur, Goat Charlotte, Streetlight Marmotfesto, Behemoth, Bat Religion
This venue is one of the larger nightclubs in the city. There is a balcony and a floor section. Bigger name bands come here quite often. It is also the place where many bands play their largest shows and often the last venue that bands play while still in club level. Once they sell this place out, they can soon be able to sell out larger venues. I got to see Alestorm here and it was a great show. The sound is good, and the lighting is good. The stage is also fairly large.

BigStage
LOCATION: Nocturnal District (not an easy place to get to)
CAPACITY: 3,000
NOTABLE ACTS: Skrillex, Deadmau5, The Replacements
NO! JUST NO! I once saw The Replacements here on a reunion tour and it is a HORRIBLE concert venue. It is only really good for raves (I don't go to those anyways). It is in a hard-to-get-to location, there is no metro anywhere nearby, the parking sucks, the sound fucking sucks, and bands rarely even come here. Thankfully, the next venue has taken hold of the bands that used to come here.

The Boreal Theater
LOCATION: Tundratown
CAPACITY: 3,800
NOTABLE ACTS: Quillswitch Engage, Amon Amarten, Sabaton, Alestorm, Anthrax, Amaranthe, HammerFall, Dragonforce, Behemoth, Arch Enemy
This venue was historically an all seated theater, but in recent years has been refurbished to be an all-out concert venue with a standing floor. The sound is really good, and good views can be found all around. The stage is pretty big and sometimes even allows pyrotechnics to be used. I once saw Amaranthe here as well as Anthrax. Plus Alestorm is going to be playing a show here later this month.

Z-City Music Hall
LOCATION: Rainforest District
CAPACITY: 6,500
NOTABLE ACTS: Deftones, Rise Against, Stoat Sour, Dropkick Martens, Judas Purriest, Billy Tayra, Bullet For My Valentine, Frank Tiger, Megadeth
This venue is pretty recent. It only opened a few years ago and was christened by the Fur Fighters. It is relatively close to where I live in the Rainforest District. This venue was designed like a massive nightclub with a few seats. There is a big floor and two big balconies as well. Despite its grand size, it still manages to have good views all around. The stage is large, and the venue even allows pyrotechnics to be used. The sound quality is also great as well. Sometimes bands that play larger venues will play here for the intimacy. However, this is also often the last stop for bands before they reach arena level, so catch em while you can. I caught Judas Purriest here and have also seen Frank Tiger, Stoat Sour, and the Dropkick Martens.

Tundratown Ice Center
CAPACITY: 10,000 (end stage), 14,000 (center stage)
LOCATION: Tundratown
NOTABLE ACTS: Sabaton, Bring Me The Horizon, Shrewdown, Four Toe Hoof Punch, Halestorm, HoRn, Breaking Beaver, The Offspring, Amon Amarten, Nightwish
This arena doubles as both the home of the Tundratown Berserkers hockey team and as a major concert arena. Bands that come here have often just started playing arena level, and this is often the largest venue they have played so far. Pyrotechnics are common at concerts and often video screens will be added to enhance the views of band members for those in the back. I have been to a few shows here then and now. The problems with this place are the prices (some tickets might be very expensive) and the mediocre sound quality. I've seen Sabaton here along with Amon Amarten, to name a few.

Sahara Amphitheatre
CAPACITY: 17,000
LOCATION: Sahara Square
NOTABLE ACTS: Disturbed, Weezel, Breaking Beaver, Slayer, Avenged Servalfold, Mayhem Fest, Mink-182, Phisher, Luke Lyan, Nickelback
This has a GA pit, seating, and a GA lawn area as well. In the back, attended might get out a blanket or a lawn chair and smoke weed throughout the show. This often gets the Ticket to Rock tours every summer. There is a permanent stage with two video screens on each side for those in the back. I have been here a few times. It's definitely not great. It's far away from the metro and the parking is a pain in the ass. The sound is definitely not super great either. Many of the bands that play here are often jam bands (boring) or shitty bro-country acts (gross). However, I did see Disturbed and Breaking Beaver here not too long after I moved in (I was 14 so stfu).

Zoo2 Arena
CAPACITY: 30,000
LOCATION: Downtown
NOTABLE ACTS: Slipknotter, Iron Marten, The Quillers, Panda! At the Disco, Green Day, Ramstein, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Hound, Volebeat, The Who, Fall Out Boy, Moose Springsteen, Gazelle, Avenged Servalfold
The largest and most famous concert venue in the city, the Zoo2 Arena has hosted all of the biggest acts in the world. Often they'll have pop stars, but they'll also have many rock and metal acts here as well. My band, Pels Raseri, also does a residency here with a show per month. Unlike other arenas, this is built primarily for music (but can also host Basketball). There is a large floor section with steep amphitheater-style seating above it. The sound is not as bad as you might think, due to the use of curtains. Bands coming here also often use video screens to project themselves to viewers in the back (though I prefer to watch the band even if I can't see them in detail). I don't often come here due to expensive prices and the fact that it's mainly pop shows. However, I have seen Slipknotter, Green Day, and even PATD here. It's also conveniently located on a very busy metro stop as well.

Places that are sometimes used for concerts

Zootennial Stadium
CAPACITY: 85,000 (for games, variable for concerts)
LOCATION: Sahara Square
NOTABLE ACTS: ZU2, AC/DC, Metallicat, Ramstein, Gazelle
This is NOT a concert venue. It rarely ever hosts concerts. Also, tickets for any show here are extremely expensive and the sound quality is fucking horrible. When I saw Metallicat, you could barely make out any of the music. The furthest seats are extremely far away, and you'll find yourself watching the act off of a video screen even though you paid 100 bucks for your ticket. Also this venue is just way too big to host concerts and shouldn't even host them anyways.

Zootopia Main Park
CAPACITY: Variable
LOCATION: Downtown
NOTABLE ACTS: Powerwolf, Z-Town Rock Fest, BangYourF*ckinHead Metal fest, Warped Tour
This is also not a concert venue. It is mainly used for music festival events and there is a slight natural amphitheater. However, Powerwolf did play a show here in front of 300,000 and I (with the help of Duke Weaselton) burned down a church as part of it. It was the largest concert ever until a bit over a month later.

Old Zootopia Airfield
CAPACITY: Variable
LOCATION: A bit outside the city
NOTABLE ACTS: Powerwolf, Pels Raseri
Also not a concert venue, this place hosted its first show ever with my own band Pels Raseri. It was the biggest concert ever with 5 million in attendance and selling out quick. I told you that my band is the biggest in the world. It was quite amazing just to see so many fans in the audience, though I felt quite bad for those in the back who could barely even see the stage. Powerwolf also played a show here as well but not as big as our show.

Former Venues

Heat:
LOCATION: Sahara Square
CAPACITY: 400
NOTABLE ACTS: Carnifox, Nile, Obituary, The Menzingers, The Lawrence Arms, I See Stars
This venue closed just over a year ago, due to an influx of smaller concert venues opening. It had no barricade and relatively good lighting. The sound wasn't too bad either. Many bands used to come here all the time and it was popular for quite a while. However, other venues started attracting various bands and this place just couldn't keep up. I remember seeing The Lawrence Arms here a few years ago, and also saw Nile here as well.

Tundratown Black Box:
LOCATION: Tundratown
CAPACITY: 4,500
NOTABLE ACTS: Sabaton, Amon Amarten, Powerwolf, Bullet For My Vulpine, Megadeth
This venue used to host a lot of great bands, but otherwise was complete shit. The sound absolutely sucked, the roof was very low which prevented pyro from being allowed, and the sightlines sucked. The room stretched very far back and it was hard to see, especially if you are short like me. This is where I saw Sabaton for the first time as well as BFMV. This place closed about 3-4 years ago and will not be missed.

There are also plenty of other concert venues in and around the city, but that is it for today. Hyvästi everyone! (btw that means "goodbye" in Finnish).