By Cathy Maestri
InstantRiverside.com

We checked out the musical chops of Pomona’s restored Fox Theater when it opened with Gogol Bordello a few weeks back. While we admit loving the building itself, it turns out it’s also a pretty darn great place for a show.

Of course, the sold-out crowd was more interested in the band than the Art Deco murals. But even if they weren’t gawking, people seemed to treat the building with respect. Except, perhaps, for the large guy who took off down the graceful, curved staircase at a gallop and wound up sliding halfway down on his butt. We suspect he learned his lesson.

The building’s patios were packed, and only partly because of the beautiful view. Who knew there were still so many smokers?

Our only gripe was that there was a long line for the ladies’ room before the show — nothing new in any venue built before, oh, 1985.

The sound started out a bit wobbly but was quickly tweaked. The acoustics aren’t so great at the back of the raised floor, but then, with the lower ceiling, that’s to be expected. So that’s where they’ve put minibars.

We went up to the balcony to check out the sound, which was quite good. Combined with the surprisingly comfortable seats, well, we just stayed there. It offered a wonderful view of the band and a completely entertaining look at the dancing, swirling crowd right in front of the stage. (Gogol Bordello was an ideal party band for the building’s concert debut — all that was missing was the free vodka.)

If you’re vertically challenged, we recommend either balcony seats or getting there early and staking out a spot at the front of one the graduated tiers.

Of course, what will really make the Pomona Fox is the shows — what’s more, bands pick up on the vibe when they know they’re playing someplace special. Wilco was there on Saturday. And now we see Pollstar has a listing for one of our favorite bands, the Flaming Lips (pictured), on Aug. 18. Whether or not their “live freakout” includes plushies or Wayne Coyne rolls across the crowd in his giant bubble, it should be magic.

We’ll tell you when tickets go on sale. Click here for more on the restored Fox Theater in Pomona, California.

Click here for more music, entertainment and pop culture in Instant Vox Pop.

The Flaming Lips are scheduled to play the newly restored Fox in Riverside, California.

Filed under Entertainment

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

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