Tacoma rests south of Seattle in the heart of Washington state. It's dubbed the "City of Destiny" because of its history as a Northern Pacific Railroad terminus. The city's port remains an economic force, but beyond commerce, there's much more to love about the city that houses the Museum of Glass.
Tacoma has a thriving arts and culture scene, with just about every area in town featuring a gallery. The local community shows interest in all facets of the industry, which regularly headlines the trading news. Music is also a huge part of life in Tacoma, gathering thousands of fans to attend momentous performances, like David Bowie's 1983 concert at the Tacoma Dome.
There are always live music events in town, making Tacoma an ideal place to plan a show, video shoot, or record music. Discover the best setting for your creative pursuits by browsing our 3 fabulous music venues in Tacoma.
Tacoma can host all your upcoming events, including live music shows and video shoots. Giggster is happy to assist in the production process by helping you find a live music venue that meets your needs.
Plan a grand performance at a historic Tacoma theater, which boasts impressive options featuring stages, dance floors, and studio recording spaces. If you expect a massive turnout, consider leasing an authentic Vaudevillian theater.
Record your music video on a rooftop plaza that offers striking views of the surroundings. A reflecting pool and other eye-catching features can enhance the cinematic appeal.
A spacious museum auditorium equipped with a projection screen and quality sound system is an ideal indoor performance setting. A stage area visible from all angles and ample seating are pluses. University, museum, and art gallery lecture halls usually have a similar setup.
A water view home is perfect for a private event. Invite your closest friends and family for a listening party or host industry executives for an album release.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Do you want a performance setting similar to the Tacoma Dome or Cheney Stadium (home to the Tacoma Rainiers)? How about a space with the ambiance of the Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins Elks Temple? Giggster can help you rent similar spaces or a plaza in an office building, a wide open sports field, or a cozy bar for $235/hour.
Hassle-Free Booking: You don't need to log in or sign up to start searching for a venue. The thousands of listings on our website can make it tough to settle on one location. Search filters help narrow your options, and you can contact the host with questions and request custom pricing.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Our cancellation grace period protects you if you need to change your booking. You can cancel your booking for free up to 24 hours after confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: There is always a way around everything, and Giggster's optional event liability policy provides the cushioning needed when something unexpected occurs.
Are you planning a recital, mini concert, or album release party? Tacoma is the perfect place for your event, and Giggster can help you rent a space like for the occasion. If you are stuck between renting a grand hall or an exquisite ballroom, these ideas can inspire your decision.
Music Video Shoots – Rooftop Venues. A rooftop or an elevated building terrace can provide stunning visuals for your music video. It's helpful if the location is beautiful, like a rooftop plaza overlooking a reflecting pool.
Listening Parties – Private Homes. A waterfront home is one of the best backdrops for a listening party. Tacoma also has historic mansions and mid-century modern homes that can impress industry executives attending your album release.
Concerts – Theaters. Tacoma has historic theaters that can accommodate grand events. A vaudevillian-style performance space with a multi-level seating format is an excellent choice for a massive indoor concert.
Dance Events – Ballrooms. Ballrooms and dance events pair well. They are versatile, spacious, and have excellent acoustics. Ballrooms are top choices for dance-offs, musical throwback parties, and performances.
Live Performances – Bars. A bar is a classic performance space and the best live music spot. Plan an open mic session in a local neighborhood pub or book a brewery taproom for a band show.
You may be planning a product launch and want to include live performances to attract a crowd. It could be a charity concert to raise funds for a worthy cause. Whatever the case, Giggster is here to help you rent the best space, and here are the things you should take note of when exploring our listings:
Can the venue host your live music event? Before booking, contact the property owner to find out if the venue can accommodate your event. Ask all the questions you have and discuss custom requests, including pricing.
Is the space arranged in a way that offers the best audience experience? You shouldn't have to stop the show for staff to haul in equipment or the band to interact with the audience. Create clear pathways and rent a spacious venue that allows guests to move around freely, dance, and mingle.
What features make the space the perfect music production or event setting? Ask yourself if the audience will love attending a show at the venue. The building should be soundproof and have proper acoustic treatment for an indoor concert. Excellent lighting and access to professional sound equipment are also important.
Life in Tacoma is shrouded in history and a sense of community. The city also honors the arts. The endless annual musical events show it, and Giggster can help you rent a top concert location to add your event to the list. Knowing the advantages and challenges of planning a production or event in town can help you identify the best space.
Advantages
There's always something happening in town, usually an arts event. The creative atmosphere makes Tacoma perfect for music shows and video shoots.
Tacoma is your gateway to trails, parks, and other outdoor adventures. These natural settings create beautiful backdrops for outdoor occasions.
Downtown Tacoma is walkable, and the Point Defiance Ferry makes the city accessible via Vashon Island.
Disadvantages
The nightlife is quieter here than in other cities, which is only a dealbreaker if you want to move the party to an after-hours location.
Traveling into town from Seattle or other surrounding cities can be frustrating because of the peak-hour congestion.
Tacoma suffers from the drawn-out, gloomy, and rainy Washington weather. The dreary weather can thwart your plans for an outdoor show.
Scoring the right music venue is like hitting the right note to sail through a song. Giggster will assist with that, leaving the rest up to decisions you make, and these tips can help:
Book the Best Space – Before you continue the checkout process, contact the property owner for a custom quote. You can also discuss special requests and determine if the venue can accommodate your show or production. Once you've completed checkout, opt for our damage or cancellation protection plans.
Offer Food and Drink Menus – Two things bring people together: music and food. Partnering with local food vendors is a way of giving back to the community and having a well-fed audience.
The Technical Details Matter – The effects, lighting, and, most importantly, sound matter when putting on a show. Most music venues and rental companies provide technicians who can handle the equipment and fix issues that arise.
Make the Experience Count – Offering event-only merchandise, having an A-list lineup, providing VIP experiences, or inviting well-known personalities to feature in your music video can make your event or production more memorable.
It could be a music video shoot, song recording, or a live performance, but either way, you should prepare to spend a decent amount. Giggster can help you find a studio or event space within your budget, and these additional suggestions can save you even more money.
Rent the venue on a weekday.
Booking on a Saturday will cost more than renting the space on a Monday. Weekdays are usually off-peak rental times for most venues. With good marketing and promotion, a weekday show can also be a sell-out.
Use the in-house services.
In-house production, catering, or planning services will cost less than outsourcing these aspects to different vendors.
Get sponsorships.
Get into sponsorship deals with other artists or businesses in the community. You should also message the property owner and request a tailored pricing guide.
Are you ready to rent a top music space in Tacoma? Browse our listings of the best event spaces in town, select a location, and start your concert marketing and planning.
