Hidden in the outskirts of Indianapolis lies one of the best underground music venues in Indiana. Located at 1627 Prospect St., the Hoosier Dome has been giving local artists a place to perform and thrive. Not to be confused with the football stadium, the Hoosier Dome prioritizes the values of small artists allowing for just about anyone with a set list and a dream a stage to perform on.
The venue is split into three main parts including the floor, stage and the merch area. Immediately after walking through the door, patrons are greeted with the building’s stage and floor. The actual floor, or pit, where the crowd stands, is a decently large size. There are no official measurements available, but the floor space is rather generous.
The stage itself is the second part of the venue. It sits about three feet above the floor and gives ample space for all the musicians performing. The stage is also not barred off from the crowd. Crowd surfing and jumping into the pit is a common occurrence, so it is important for audience members to be aware of where and who they are standing by.
The last part of the venue is behind the stage. Following a hallway to the right of the stage leads to the merchandise room. There all the bands will have their merch set up on a series of tables awaiting people to support their music. This room also leads to the bathrooms through a door to the left.
Now that the actual layout of the venue is out of the way, it is important to look at the culture and etiquette of attending a show. Each genre of show will have its own set of unwritten rules. Always remember to do some research on the type of show before seeing it. This allows for the least amount of confusion and possible risks.
Always respect the venue’s rules and procedures. Never destroy or break any equipment and always be aware of your surroundings.