ALL PHOTOS BY MATTHEW SHELTER

“They’re still putting toilet paper holders up; there’s a guy painting back there … Let’s christen this place.”

A couple of us from the Dig team went to check out the new Bowery Presents venue Roadrunner in Brighton before Tuesday’s opening night Billy Strings show, and we’re still giddy with excitement making plans to check out upcoming spectacles there with friends (see below for the lineup). 

Built from scratch, the 3,500-capacity destination is a sight to behold with top-notch sound (via L-Acoustics) and sleek accessible design by studioTYAK to match Bowery’s smaller but similarly styled Cambridge spot, the Sinclair.

[Check out our Insta dispatch from Roadrunner’s media tour before opening night]

We look forward to helping break the place in, and are already impressed by not only the amenities for concertgoers, but also those which benefit performers as well, like a kickass merch booth by the front as well as a special hangout area between the open floor and backstage. 

For now, below are a few killer pics from Dig contributor Matthew Shelter, who reported that Strings joked about preparations running right up to the last minute before showtime.

“They’re still putting toilet paper holders up; there’s a guy painting back there,” the Grammy-winning guitar hero said to the crowd. “Let’s christen this place.” –Chris Faraone

UPCOMING SHOWS: *SOLD OUT 

• Billy Strings: March 15, 2022 

• Khruangbin: March 17 & 18*, 2022 

• Tom Misch: March 19, 2022 

• Dropkick Murphys: March 20, 2022 

• Mitski: March 21 & 22, 2022* 

• Bleachers: March 24 & 25, 2022*  

• Chelsea Cutler: March 26* & 27, 2022  

• JoJo: March 29, 2022 

• Black Tiger Sex Machine: March 31, 2022 

• The Brian Jonestown Massacre: April 1, 2022 

• Mika: April 2, 2022 

• LCD Soundsystem: April 3, 4, 5, 6, 2022 

• Bright Eyes: April 7, 2022 

• Lane 8: April 8, 2022 

• Converge Bloodmoon: April 9, 2022 

• Big Thief: April 13, 2022 

• Watchhouse: April 17, 2022 

• Cousin Stizz: April 22, 2022 

• The Story So Far: April 23, 2022* 

• Lucius: April 29, 2022 

• Olivia Rodrigo: May 3, 2022 

• Disclosure: May 6, 2022

• Trey Anastasio Band: May 7* & 8, 2022 

• Interpol: May 11, 2022 

• Koe Wetzel: May 12, 2022 

• Lovett or Leave It: May 20, 2022 

• Dean Lewis: May 21, 2022 

• SOFI TUKKER: May 26, 2022 

• Aurora: June 1, 2022 

• Bastille: June 8, 2022 

• CupcakKe & Slayyyter: Gay Bash’d Pride 2022: June 10, 2022 

• Lake Street Dive: June 11* & 12, 2022 

• Tove Lo: June 13, 2022 

• Midnight Oil: June 16, 2022 

• Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls: June 17, 2022 

• Belle & Sebastian: June 18, 2022 

• Waxahatchee: June 21, 2022 

• Wallows: June 22, 2022 

• Beach House: July 22, 2022 

• Rise Against: August 12, 2022 

• Leon Bridges: August 16 & 17, 2022 

• The Decemberists: August 21, 2022 

• IDLES: September 17, 2022

• Stereolab: October 4, 2022