So, a few months before the COVID lockdowns, #Insomniac bought the two clubs we most-frequent, #Echostage and #Soundcheck. Both venues went from ticketing through a variety of brokers to ticketing only through #Ticketmaster (because Tickemaster/#LiveNation also owns a controlling interest in Insomniac).
The club we most-often frequent, Soundcheck is closing early in 2026 — supposedly to relocate closer to where Echostage is — Northeast DC.
Interestingly, in the last 18 months, three other small- to medium-sized venues featuring #EDM acts have also opened up in Northeast DC:
* AI Warehouse
* Berhta
* Transmission
We've seen shows at the first two — Layton Giordanni at AI Warehouse and Sub Focus at Berhta. Probably would have wanted to see Joyhauser, tonight, (as our first show) at Transmission, but we've already got tickets to Noizu at Soundcheck.
Northeast DC is still fairly early in the urban-renewal gentrification cycle. There's lots of warehouse types of spaces, suitable for conversion into clubs. So, I guess that explains Soundcheck's move (lower rent, fewer noise-complaints, etc.) and explains the seeming "explosion" of new clubs.
AI Warehouse is actually in an area that's already gentrifying: 10+ years ago, we used to go to parties at a warehouse space that was located about a block further down the same street. The area is now significantly less sketchy and run-down (well-lit, even) with lots of new dining and entertainment options. Feels kinda like the Atlas District — where the Rock and Roll Hotel used to be — 15+ years ago. I'm sort of assuming it will have a shortish lifespan: it's already hard for clubs to be profitable (it will want a better sound-system and much better bar if it wants to be competitive) and I gotta think the rents are alrea rising in that area.
Behrta's in a more-industrial area. Looks like gentrification is still several blocks and several years away. It's a decent space, but wants a better sound-system. Can't comment on its bar, since we didn't drink anything but water, that night.
It'll be interesting to see what Transmission is like.
It will also be interesting to see if the new Soundcheck location will still have a top-tier sound-system and competent bar.
While these are all great developments, none of these places are as convenient to our house as Soundcheck has been. A round-trip to Soundcheck was less distance than driving one-way to any of these new spaces is. Parking was also free. Further, none of these new spaces are reachable by public transportation and ride-share (etc.) are stupidly-expensive.















