The Signal has moved to the historic Choo-Choo after a multi-year run on Chestnut Street
photo by Casey Osburn
The Signal has moved to the historic Choo-Choo after a multi-year run on Chestnut Street
photo by Casey Osburn
The Signal has moved to the historic Choo-Choo after a multi-year run on Chestnut Street
photo by Casey Osburn
One of Chattanooga’s most-used concert venues, The Signal, has moved to the historic Choo-Choo after a multi-year run on Chestnut Street in Chattanooga’s Southside district.
The previous location hosted national acts in every genre of music from country to heavy metal rock bands, with the concert venue acting as an unaffiliated replacement to the previous go-to concert venue (located on the campus of the choo-choo), Track29, which seemed to up and vanish overnight.
While the now defunct Track29 and previous location of The Signal were familiar in their aesthetics with industrial exteriors and concrete floors, the new facility, which underwent a multi-million dollar renovation of the Choo-Choo’s convention center, will give concertgoers a more complete concert experience, says The Signal owner Josh Billue.
“This new facility will be a better, more well-rounded concert venue that is a significant upgrade than the previous location, particularly because of the shape of the new building, and the fact that it will be used, not only for concerts, but as an event space as well,” said Mr. Billue.
One of the new features in the renovated space will be seated opportunities in the high-rise mezzanine with 200 seats available, either in a bar-rail seat option or a four-seater table, which will give concertgoers the ability to order from a server versus standing in line at one of the bars.
Casey Osburn, who serves as COO of Marathon Live, the full-service concert venue management company overseeing renovations, says this creates a more elevated experience than what the previous location was able to offer.
“While this new facility still has the high-vaulted ceilings, and in-line with the industrial style, this is more polished and a better experience for the customer,” said Ms. Osburn.
The biggest difference between the new venue and the previous Track29 is functionality and aesthetics. The Signal at the Choo-Choo will feature nearly all black and grey colors schemes that complement the light show from the stage, but also feature multiple bars strategically placed throughout the venue to keep concertgoers from having to stand in long lines – a previous pain point at Track29 and the previous location of The Signal.
For any music junkie in Chattanooga who wants to see the same holistic approach to different kinds of music artist coming to The Signal’s new location to play shows, that is also a clear upgrade – The Signal has a programming team of five who’s job is to find the kind of artist Chattanooga wants to see and hear live in concert.
One of those acts is Alter Bridge, a modern rock band who will be the first major headliner to play The Signal in its new location.
Alter Bridge has sold over 5 million records worldwide and lead singer, Myles Kennedy, is consistently voted as one of the best modern day rock vocalists in a generation.
Mr. Kennedy recognizes the importance of concert venues in how they’re laid out and the consistency with how you see people and connect with people.
“At the end of the day, this is why we’re doing it, trying to make people feel good, and when the venue makes it easy, that is really cool and you appreciate that [the band] can have a high contact,” said Mr. Kennedy.
Alter Bridge Plays The Signal May 14, with opener, Sevendust. Tickets can be purchased at www.thesignaltn.com/tickets/alter-bridge
Longform Interview -- Myles Kennedy sits down with Joe Hendrix to talk about playing at The Signal on the Pawns & Kings Tour.
https://www.audacy.com/rock105/latest/interview-with-myles-kennedy?fbclid=IwAR1b-jZCEiWeeo652-auQ_j2pTYCXWlfKrFhdODfFR_hihp2zoHRmNZul30