'Live at 9:30' Brings DC's Legendary Rock Palace to the Nation

To the unaware, the plain-looking doorway nestled between pastel-blue walls at 815 V Street NW probably don't even merit a glance -- but to some of the biggest music stars in the world, there aren't many better venues to rock out. And now you don't have to leave your living room to be there.

The 9:30 Club has hosted some of the biggest acts in the world in the last few decades. In fact, Dave Grohl of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters grew up watching bands perform at what has been called by Rolling Stone, "the best big room in America." For those who don't get out much, there's a new show to help you see what you're missing: "Live at 9:30," a new variety show filmed exclusively at the venue that premiered May 28 on public television stations nationwide.

If you've missed the first two episodes, don't worry: there are still 10 left.

The first episode didn't waste time trotting out a big name. Garbage, a rock band that made its name in the 1990s during America's grunge obsession, performed their breakout 1995 hit "Only Happy When it Rains" to open the show. The hour-long episode featured a number of other acts that have been recorded in recent months performing at the 9:30 Club.

In addition to the actual performances, Live at 9:30 includes some behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and even short sketches from comedians like Hannibal Buress.

Executive producer of the show and D.C. native Michael Holstein said in an email interview with Patch that the pitches and planning for the show started almost three years ago.

"We're planning on this being on-air for a long time, so even though we wrapped filming a few weeks ago, we're still adding bands from time to time, and other surprises too, as they pop up," Holstein said. "There were definitely challenges, but they were pretty few and far between."

The show had to handle everything from weather cancellations to equipment problems -- with the toughest challenge coming when the entire crew got sick for a week in the winter when they had four shows to tape.

"There was lots of NyQuil and Kleenex that week," he said. "But really, the Club, the bands and everyone involved were so accommodating that it was a much easier process than normal for a new show."

Holstein said he hopes and thinks that there will be a second season.

"We have so many cool things lined up for a second season — virtual-reality filming, huge talent approaching us to be on the show, some creative tweaks and twists — that it would really be a shame if there wasn't one, but ultimately that's up to viewers and sponsors," he said.

The goal of the show is to entertain viewers and showcase artists, Holstein said. It's also to introduce the rest of the country to what he called the "world's greatest rock club."

Each episode is a mix of some recognizable bands and some lesser-known up-and-coming acts, something the 9:30 Club has long been known for. It gives fans to see a favorite as well as experience something new, Holstein added, who noted it was a labor of love showcasing a venue that had a big impact on his own life.

"I grew up here and a lot of nights when my parents maybe thought I was at Putt-Putt Golf on Rockville Pike or something, I was actually seeing Soundgarden or somebody rad like that at the 9:30 Club," he said. "So it's definitely been an important spot to me, and the opportunity to showcase it, and the artists who play there, is an awesome one. The Club is a D.C. landmark that should be a national one, and I hope this show helps make that happen."

For more information, visit http://liveat930.com/

Image via Live at 9:30