The Champ

Ever since the new owners took over this place became a dump. Quality of performances keeps going down while ticket prices continue to go up. No good tours ever come through here anymore, most likely because the dude that runs this place has some of the worst business ethics imaginable and rips off the supporting bands by refusing to pay them for ticket sales when they don’t make enough money from the other bands’ sales. They also like to drop bands from the roster without telling anyone, so people buy tickets expecting to see someone only to find out that band didnt show up after it’s already too late.
Another huge problem is the poor security. There are always fights or people trying to jump someone here and the staff never kicks out the instigators. People sell and do drugs in the parking lot even though people deny it. Some big guy tried to sell me crack here before. its a shame, really. There was once a time when this place had good bands playing every night and no drugs but what do you expect when its right across the river from harrisburg. If it werent for the crack dealers that show up at every single show and somehow never get banned, or the owners ripping off bands and audience members it wouldn’t be such a shitty venue. Maybe get a few bands that aren’t terrible too, you know, like pre-​2010 champ.

I don’t even know where to start. I could gush about this place forever. It’s an all-​ages venue and while I was there no one was drinking in the parking lot, which pleasantly surprised me. I guess i love to see shows in places where people who don’t understand the scene can’t end up there by accident. The venue used to be in a strip mall and now it’s in an out-​of-​the way place that’s really hard to find if you’re not from around there and you probably don’t know it exists if you’re not looking for it. Inside, there’s a little record store that you have to walk trough and then you open the doors to what used to probably be a small warehouse or a big garage. It’s rare to have a place where you can see underground/​independent music without interference from the outside world. I hope the kids in Harrisburg appreciate what they have here.

I went a few times at their old location at Hoover Plaza.
A year or two ago they moved to this location… it’s a very odd place. I believe it used to be an old motorcycle factory??? But don’t quote me on that. There’s a small wood sign on market street that says CHAMP. It’s back a stone/​dirt road, underneath a bridge. However, this makes it perfect for loud metal/​rock/​indie shows.
This is an all ages venue… which means, yes… lots of kiddies. No alcohol is served here, and it’s run by some emo dudes who are pretty strict and patrol their lot looking for delinquents drinking/​smoking outside.
However, it’s a great location for local bands to play shows, and they’ve gotten in a few national acts as well (Black Dahlia Murder played a month or so ago). It’s not a bad start for music venues in the Harrisburg area… we just need more!
Oh, and they have a record store here too…