Carnegies Brae, Aberdeen, AB10 1BF
01224 211121
http://www.thetunnels.co.uk/home/
Pix by ABZ Quine.
Comments from FnS contributors…
A few years back it felt like I practically lived in this venue between playing there as part of a band and attending gigs. More recently family committments have meant a decline in both so I haven’t been there so much but the last couple of visits recently have found a venue that is freezing and Tunnels 1 has a particularly noticable unpleasant odour. However I still like the venue and the booze prices are pretty reasonable, I think it could just do with some care and attention, maybe Drummond’s is more of a focus for the owners these days? Godzilla Blues 23/02/10
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I think The Tunnels has the best layout of all the Aberdeen venues with the possible exception of The Forum. (I’ll let you know after The Stranglers gig at the weekend). The split level kinda gives you a cosy meet ‘n’ greet area before you go down the few steps to take in the action. It’s probably a perfect size for most of the up & coming bands passing through town in that it’s possible to generate quite a decent atmosphere on reasonably low numbers. With the right band of course.
The downside for me is the sound. I’ve never heard a “great” sound in there at any of the gigs I’ve been to or played at over the years. Generally speaking, the vocals are always too low in the mix for me although I accept that this may be down to personal taste. Doesn’t seem to happen (so regularly) at other places though.
As Godzilla says, bar prices are reasonable and service is generally fairly fast.
Never been in the second room for anything so can’t comment on that at all. New York Johnny 23/02/10
@New York johnny – I wonder if you always stand at the top of the stairs in the Tunnels? Try standing a few feet in front of the bottom of the stairs as that is where the speakers are pointing – hence the best place to hear the PA. Also – have a kindly word with whomever is engineering. On busy gigs it’s tricky to get out of the booth to have a listen to what the rig is doing in different parts of the room. Its sounds different everywhere you go unfortunately
Sorry, looks like I wasn’t being very clear in my comments. I think the Tunnels sound is always adequate, sometimes good, just never “great”. I’ve seen loads of things in there, different styles and yes, I have tried different places in the hall, sometimes even on the same night LOL, but I still find the same thing…..which is why I commented about it. It’s still one of my favourite venues in town though.
No worries. Always strive to make my sound in there better although you are fighting a losing battle a lot of the time for reasons I shall left unsaid
Loving this wee blog. Keep it up!