The National

708 E. Broad St.
612-1900
thenationalva.com

Second Place: The Broadberry

Third Place: The Camel

You know you’re special when the effort surrounding one of your biggest rock shows gets nominated for a Webby award. Indeed it was a big year for the National, the 1,500-seat, Broad Street venue that was host to the world-renowned Foo Fighters last fall, in what many media outlets called the first major crowd-funded concert. Shortly after that show, the venue was sold to massive West Coast entertainment company AEG Live. But it’s the steady diet of big-name touring acts that makes this venue a perennial winner. Both runners-up are owned by Rand Burgess: The Broadberry near the Boulevard is still finding its legs but had several big shows, with outside bookers bringing critical darlings Swans and High on Fire to town. The venue also was popular with locally based touring groups, with Natalie Prass and Matthew E. White having big nights there. Down the street, the smaller Camel venue remains a popular alternative for up-and-coming acts and the occasional legend such as Jonathan Richman.