In its first year back, the Buckhead Theatre nabbed Mumford & Sons before they were big enough to play as Dylan’s back-up band on the Grammy Awards, the Scissor Sisters when they returned to the U.S. for a tour, a touring production of “Menopause: The Musical” and Cloris Leachman in her one-woman show.
It’s hard to argue with that type of versatility.
Then again, the venue has always been multifaceted.
The theater opened in 1930 to host movies, civic functions and the Buckhead Symphony Orchestra. But its most renowned run was as The Roxy, a bustling music club shepherded by well-regarded Atlanta promoter Alex Cooley.
After the Roxy closed in 2008, no one was quite sure if a refurbished theater would thrive.
But the combination of a $6 million renovation -- guided by Buckhead Theatre owner and Atlanta businessman Charles Loudermilk – and a diverse assortment of about 50 shows led to a successful first season in which more than half of the productions sold out.
“I was so blessed,” said Velena Vego, music talent buyer for Buckhead Theatre and a 20-year veteran of booking shows at the 40 Watt Club in Athens. “The first year, everyone was so excited to have a 1,500 capacity room because we hadn’t had one in Atlanta for a long time. Agents and bands were welcoming this new venue.”
For the first anniversary of the Buckhead Theatre, Vego, who was born at Piedmont Hospital and raised in Buckhead, wanted to embrace Georgia musicians.
She’s worked with Drivin’ ‘N’ Cryin’ for years, so the band was a natural fit to headline July 29, the first night of a weekend celebration. Former Drive-By Truckers member Jason Isbell will make his Buckhead Theatre debut with his 2-year-old band, the 400 Unit, that night as well.
On Saturday, the party continues outside in the adjacent parking lot with a day of music and food trucks. Two stages will host acts such as the recently resurrected Chickasaw Mudd Puppies, plus Little Tybee, The District Attorneys, Baby Baby and Witches.
“It’s the opportunity to give local bands the chance to perform. A lot of music fests don’t do that,” Vego said.
Some of the reasons for the out-of-the-gate success of Buckhead Theatre, Vego believes, are the comfort level for fans – fixed theater seating on the second floor, posh bar areas – 7,000 square feet of banquet rooms for private parties and the venue’s size for shows.
“If you’ve just sold out the Variety Playhouse [capacity up to 1,000] but aren’t quite ready for The Tabernacle [capacity 2,600], we’re the place to go,” she said.
As far as competition with other venues, Vego believes they can all comfortably co-exist, largely because she intends to keep Buckhead Theatre as diverse as possible.
Upcoming shows range from California rockers Cold War Kids to Swedish indie-pop singer Lykke Li to Little Big Town and Diamond Rio (pop-county acts have fared especially well).
“I want versatility,” she said. “When I was growing up and went to the 688 Club [which closed in 1986], you never knew what kind of music you were getting and that’s what I’ve done here. I don’t want to be niche.”
If you go
Buckhead Theatre Anniversary and Music Festival
7 p.m. July 29 with Drivin’ ‘N’ Cryin’, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Futurebirds and Jonny Corndawg. 1 p.m. July 30 with Chickasaw Mudd Puppies, Little Tybee, The District Attorneys, Baby Baby, Witches, Abby Gogo and more. $25 (general admission) July 29; $15 (outside) July 30. $30 for a two-day pass. 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
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