By Kate Drexel | Managing Editor
While waiting outside the club for quite sometime, clutching the concert ticket tightly hoping the cold air will subside soon, you finally enter the venue’s lobby. The buzz of excited concertgoers heightens your very own enthusiasm. You then walk into the bar area of the venue, clusters of people sit by the center bar, hoping the bartender will acknowledge their presence and take their drink order. Due to your early arrival, you sit down briefly in the red velvet circular booth with a beautiful crystal chandelier igniting the intimate seating area. Finally, you make your way to the front of the stage, passing glowing red pillars right by the bar, then you arrive at your destination; the very front of the stage, body pressed against the barricade. Your eyes wander around the room, gazing at the incredible architecture, then something catches your attention: in the dead center of the ceiling, hangs a disco ball. Suddenly, the overhead music comes to a screeching halt and the deafening roar of the concertgoers bounce off the venue, revealing the fantastic acoustics. Your favorite band makes their appearance, and they begin to play their opening song, the sound so crystal clear, the perfect volume for a concert, and the beautiful lights illuminate the excitement in your eyes. The vibe from the venue, the fans, and the band, all together create an indescribable feeling, just something so absolutely powerful. This magical place, located in downtown Providence, is called Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel.
Created by Rich Lupo in 1975 in hopes to attract big names, Lupo’s became the music venue for such a wide variety of genres such as blues, rock, country, pop, and jazz. The first big act in 1975 was Big Walter Horton, a blues artist, then the venue attracted touring blues acts. Eventually, bigger names rocked the stage such as James Brown, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, Iggy Pop, and many more. In 1988, the club closed down to move to a different location, due to the fact that condos were being built in its original location. It reopened in 1993 and welcomed big band names such as Willie Nelson, Radiohead, Green Day, and Foo Fighters. However due to downtown renovations, Lupo’s was asked to relocate in 2003. Towards the end of that year, Lupo’s reopened for a final time to it’s current location on Washington Street. Now with a wider space and more of a concert-like energy, the attraction intensified as names such as Flaming Lips, Justin Beiber, Wilco, White Stripes, Marilyn Manson, Hinder, and Five Finger Death Punch. Lupo’s shares the space with the nightclub, Roxy.
For upcoming events, the following have been announced: 95.5 WBRU Birthday Bash from November 12th-14th, The Hives on December 4th and Lupo Fiasco on December 6th. For more information, be sure to visit the venue’s website www.lupos.com. This is a venue definitely worth checking out.
