The Paramount Is Ready to Rock Brooklyn- Once Again!

The storied Brooklyn Paramount, at the corner of DeKalb and Flatbush avenues, begins a new chapter this month, thanks to a multimillion-dollar renovation by Live Nation Entertainment. On March 27, live music will be presented there for the first time in more than 60 years.

Stacie George /photo courtesy of Live Nation

Shortly after the opening of its first incarnation in 1928, the venue became a hotbed of jazz with the likes of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, and from 1955 to 1960, dozens of the biggest names of the first rock ‘n’ roll era played there. From 1962 to 2005, it served as a basketball arena for the venue’s owners, Long Island University (LIU).

Amos Lee / © photo by B.L Howard

Now, as the venue returns to its musical roots, Stacie George, Live Nations’s senior VP for Northeast Booking, tells Brooklyn Roads that, “The renovation of Brooklyn Paramount creates a new 2,700 capacity music venue that will help bring more shows to Brooklyn’s growing music scene. [It] is centrally located in downtown Brooklyn and is across the street or less than two blocks away from every major New York City train line.”

Because of its rich music history, “preserving the past was a high priority while renovating the venue,” she adds. “We preserved many of the original Baroque features throughout the space and the decor is inspired by the venue’s history.” At the same time, Live Nation focused on “creating a completely new fan experience,” George tells us. “You can feel the energy and history of the room the minute you walk in.”

Norah Jones / © photo by B.L.Howard

For the musicians and roadies, the venue will provide “the little comforts backstage that go a long way for artists and crew to have a great and easy day,” she tells Brooklyn Roads. These include “showers in every dressing room, a washer/dryer and…a workout/gym room, a video game and pinball room.”

On March 27, Damian and Stephen Marley (sons of reggae legend Bob Marley) will take the Brooklyn Paramount stage for the inaugural concert. Other shows on tap in the first few months alone will feature Norah Jones, Guster, Amos Lee, Liam Gallagher (Oasis), The Martinez Brothers, Belle & Sebastian, The Decemberists, Black Pumas and  Iron & Wine, among others.

One last note: George proudly tells Brooklyn Roads that, “We will employee interns from the Roc Nation School of Roc at LIU to learn [first-hand] how a show is produced. We are also employing many students in part-time roles.”