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updated June 2024
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Agora Ballroom, West Hartford Music Hall CT
The Agora Ballroom located at 165 Dexter Avenue in West Hartford, CT, was a popular concert venue in the 1970s and 1980s and had a capacity of 1,500 1, 2. The building was originally a typewriter warehouse and was built on top of a landfill. It was later converted into a concert hall but after the building began settling into the landfill, causing the lanes to warp when it was a bowling alley 1, 4. The Agora Ballroom was a warehouse-style room that could hold approximately upto 1,500 people 4, 5.
It had two stages: one at the long end for bigger shows and one on the side in the opposite corner for smaller shows. The room would be half closed off where the larger stage sat for smaller shows. There was also a loft that bisected the room, which was likely used by the lighting crew and some privileged guests 4.
Over the years, the venue has been known by various names, including the Columbia Music Hall, Hard Rock Cafe (not the chain), Stage West, and West Hartford Agora 2, 17. . Despite its humble beginnings, the Agora Ballroom hosted a number of notable acts, including Talking Heads, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, The Clash, and many others 1, 2, 12, 14.
The venue was part of a larger chain of Agora venues, with the most notable one being in Cleveland, OH 1, 13. The West Hartford Agora was known for its large parking lot which could accommodate up to 900 cars and suitable for pre-show tailgating, and the drinking age in Connecticut did not increase to 21 until late 1985, which contributed to the venue's vibrant atmosphere 1.
The Agora Ballroom's concert history includes performances by notable bands such as R.E.M., who played there on July 20, 1984, during their Reckoning Tour 3. The venue has been referred to by various names over the years, including Columbia Music Hall, Hard Rock Cafe (not the chain), Stage West, West Hartford Agora, and others 8, 16.
The building that housed the Agora Ballroom was constructed in 1963 on top of an abandoned town landfill, which sometimes resulted in the smell of methane wafting into the club 10 . Despite its industrial setting and occasional odor issues, the venue was cherished by many for the music and memories it provided. The venue has been closed for nearly two decades and was deemed too decrepit to be renovated, with plans for demolition 17. Today, the Agora Ballroom no longer exists. The site is now home to Agora Recycled Materials, and the building that once housed the concert venue has been demolished
The Agora Ballroom's legacy is remembered by many, including musicians and fans who experienced the venue's unique atmosphere and the wide range of musical talent it showcased 1, 10.
Links
Stage West - Agora Ballroom - West Hartford Music Hall Connecticut Pre-Demolition - YouTube
Agora Theatre and Ballroom - Wikipedia
Agora Ballroom | The Music Museum of New England
Jerry's Brokendown Palaces: Agora, 165 Dexter Ave., West Hartford, CT (Archive PDF),
and Wiki places
Husker Du at the Agora
Jerry's broken down palaces | Youtube
"We're The Clash. And we're from London, England"
Hi - Fabulous site! Wanted to chime in on the question around the Sunday, August 29, 1982 show at The Agora Ballroom in West Hartford, CT and confirm that they did indeed play there that night as Tom says. I was there too.
The Agora capacity was about 6,000 - 6,500 or so and it was packed to the gills. I'm sure they had filled it well beyond capacity. The Agora was also the only venue I've ever been to where you could buy a 6-pack of beer at the bar. A 6-pack! So that's exactly what me and my two buddies did - we each bought a 6 and then walked out to the middle of the floor, straight on Joe's mic.
For reasons lost to time and memory, we didn't arrive in time to see the opening band. Basically we just had enough time to get in, get through the crowd at the bar, get our 6-packs, get out on the floor ... and then the lights went down. And the crowd went nuts as the band walked out onto the stage. The one and only time that I've ever been at a show where the intensity of the audience frightened me. It was both awesome and worrying. only time I ever felt "you know, this might not be safe ..."
If I've told it once, I've told this next bit a million times since: The band walks out, it's pitch black all around us on the floor, and the crowd feels like a living thing. Like a raging animal snarling and pulling at the end of a leash. Scary. Electric. And then Strummer comes to the mic, says hello, and begins talking about how lovely a city Hartford is. How much they enjoyed walking around the city and in the parks that day. And he goes on for a bit ... kind of confusing us. We're tearing at the bit and he's talking about pretty parks and gardens. Then he pauses. Checks that the band is ready. Turns back to the mic and snarls, "We're The Clash. And we're from London, England" and they explode into "London Calling".
To this day, 37 years later, it remains the most electrifying moment I've ever experienced at a show.
Keep up the good work, Mark.
Mark Lamothe <mlamotheatsupportunitedway.org>
Rock Warfare: Dispatches From The Front
82 08 31 Hartford Courant Tue (Agora)
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Did you go? Comments, info welcome...
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash
I saw them in late August at the Agora Ballroom
MTownsend : I am sure that I saw them in late August at the Agora Ballroom in Hartford (West Hartford), Connecticut, but that doesn't show up on the 1982 tour dates. At one time the venue was called Stage West. They were in the area at that time (Hyannis, Providence and NYC are all close by). Is it possible that this was a last-minute schedule change or something?
I think Black Uhuru was the opener
Tom : I saw your website and just wanted to give you the date of the Clash show at the Agora Ballroom in West Hartford, CT. It was on Sunday August 29th, 1982. I think Black Uhuru was the opener. Admission was $10.50 and well worth it. I still have my ticket. Great website. Thanks, Tom
Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the Know Your Rights US Tour, August to October 1982
All articles - Dates - International articles - US articles - Snippets - Photos - Memorabilia - Video/Audio
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No known audio or video
If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.
from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)
from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
... both have lists of people who say they went
& from the newer Concert Database and also Concert Archives
Also useful: Ultimate Music database, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS
Articles, check 'Rocks Back Pages'
Stream, download, subscribe
Stream and download The Clash here:
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Subscribe to our channel to watch more: http://bit.ly/1jY5CFd
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ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ... A collection of A collection of articles, interviews, memorabilia from the tour and the period around the tour, August to New Year 1982.
Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the Know Your Rights US Tour, August to October 1982
VIDEO AND AUDIO Video and audio footage from the tour including radio interviews.
VIDEO – 1 Sept / Joe, Paul Simonon int, PIer 84 on CBS New York News
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Wikipedia - band mambers
Wikipedia - The Clash
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A complete treasure trove of archive of audio (official, unofficial), readable books, magazine
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Creem Magazine [US]
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Nothing Else On Flickr
Large catalogue of music magazines
Fanzine searches
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Auction sites
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Getty Images The Clash here
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The Clash Art for Sale - Fine Art America
Collection of Clash images, need to vary search and year
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Brixton Academy 8 March 1984
ST. PAUL, MN - MAY 15
Other 1984 photos
Sacramento Oct 22 1982
Oct 13 1982 Shea
Oct 12 1982 Shea
San Francisco, Jun 22 1982
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RAR Apr 30 1978
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Us May 28 1983
Photoshelter here
Sep 11, 2013: THE CLASH (REUNION) - Paris France 2 IMAGES
Mar 16, 1984: THE CLASH - Out of Control UK Tour - Academy Brixton London 19 IMAGES
Jul 10, 1982: THE CLASH - Casbah Club UK Tour - Brixton Fair Deal London 16 IMAGES
1982: THE CLASH - Photosession in San Francisco CA USA 2 IMAGES
Jul 25, 1981: JOE STRUMMER - At an event at the Wimpy Bar Piccadilly Circus London 33 IMAGES
Jun 16, 1980: THE CLASH - Hammersmith Palais London 13 IMAGES
Feb 17, 1980: THE CLASH - Lyceum Ballroom London 8 IMAGES
Jul 06, 1979: THE CLASH - Notre Dame Hall London 54 IMAGES
Jan 03, 1979: THE CLASH - Lyceum Ballroom London 19 IMAGES
Dec 1978: THE CLASH - Lyceum Ballroom London 34 IMAGES
Jul 24, 1978: THE CLASH - Music Machine London 48 IMAGES
Aug 05, 1977: THE CLASH - Mont-de-Marsan Punk Rock Festival France 33 IMAGES
1977: THE CLASH - London 18 IMAGES
Any further info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
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Blackmarketclash Links
Extensive links page can be found here with links to web, twitter, Facebook, traders etc..
If Music Could Talk
The best Clash messageboard and which also has links to downloads on its megalists
www.Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Go here for uploads and downloads. It's not a massive space so its on an as and when basis.
Also go to 101 Guitars for downloads
Contact your local library here and see if they can help.
If you are searching for articles in the USA - DPLA Find the local US library link here
WorldCat? - find your local library Link
British Newspaper Archive - United Kingdom Link
Newspaper ARCHIVE - USA+ Link
Historical Newspapers - USA & beyond Link
Elephind.com - international Link
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Gallica - France - Not very helpful Link
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Trove - Australia National Library Link
The Official Clash
Search @theclash & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
The Official Clash Group
Search @theclashofficialgroup & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Joe Strummer
And there are two Joe Strummer sites, official and unnoffical here
Clash City Collectors - excellent
Facebook Page - for Clash Collectors to share unusual & interesting items like..Vinyl. Badges, Posters, etc anything by the Clash. Search Clash City Collectors & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash on Parole - excellent
Facebook page - The only page that matters
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Clash City Snappers
Anything to do with The Clash. Photos inspired by lyrics, song titles, music, artwork, members, attitude, rhetoric,haunts,locations etc, of the greatest and coolest rock 'n' roll band ever.Tributes to Joe especially wanted. Pictures of graffitti, murals, music collections, memorabilia all welcome. No limit to postings. Don't wait to be invited, just join and upload.
Search Flickr / Clash City Snappers
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I saw The Clash at Bonds - excellent
Facebook page - The Clash played a series of 17 concerts at Bond's Casino in New York City in May and June of 1981 in support of their album Sandinista!. Due to their wide publicity, the concerts became an important moment in the history of the Clash. Search I Saw The Clash at Bonds & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Loving the Clash
Facebook page - The only Clash page that is totally dedicated to the last gang in town. Search Loving The Clash & enter search in the search box. Place, venue, etc
Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Facebook page - Our very own Facebook page. Search Blackmarketclash.co.uk & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Search all of Twitter
Search Enter as below - Twitter All of these words eg Bonds and in this exact phrase, enter 'The Clash'
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Images on the offical Clash site. http://www.theclash.com/gallery
www.theclash.com/ (all images via google).
Images on the offical Clash site. site:http://www.theclash.com/
