Once you’ve spent enough time in Springfield, Missouri, it can feel like there’s nothing to do in town. What many people aren’t aware of, however, is that Springfield actually has a fairly large music scene, with plenty of local artists and bands in search of new audiences. Supporting local music is a fantastic way to encourage these talented and devoted people. It’s also a great opportunity to make new connections in your community.
The Scoop met with multi-instrumentalist Mason Tomlinson, guitarist and singer for emo shoegaze band Transparence as well as bassist of Ghosttoghost. Mason has been performing live in the Springfield area since 2019, and has toured with several other bands throughout the Ozarks and beyond.
“It’s definitely changed a lot for the better,” Mason said regarding Springfield’s music scene in recent years. “There used to be only a few, but now we have a lot of really good places.”
The Outland Complex
The Outland Ballroom and Odyssey Lounge host many of Springfield’s large-scale music shows. With the complex’s downtown location and spacious capacity, this venue is perfect if you’re looking to catch some of the more well-known names from Springfield or out of town.
“The Outland hosts a lot of out-of-town bands. Sometimes they’ll have other people bring the bands who then run the show. In the band I play in, Ghosttoghost, Maggie, who plays keys, runs sounds there sometimes. They give musicians a little more control.”
The Riff
The Riff is another well-established live music venue in downtown Springfield. While opening its doors to plenty of visiting bands, the Riff’s reputation as a premier location discourages many smaller bands from taking stage. That being said, some listeners may prefer the Riff’s roomy environment to the more cramped scale of house venues.
“The Riff is another really big venue. A lot of out-of-town bands will play there. The Outland and the Riff are run by people with actual management and who are in the quote unquote ‘music industry’. It’s like an actual business over there.”
Rock Bottom DIY
In contrast to the previous two locations, Rock Bottom DIY is located in an unfinished basement in central Springfield. This intimate destination has fostered an astonishingly tight-knit community in just the past few years, all brought to life by three roommates with a love of music and plenty of extra room. Rock Bottom seeks to create a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, and as such is home to many passionate fans and artists.
“Rock Bottom is a really great house venue. It’s ran by Kodie, Chloe, and Regan. They’re three very, very, super cool individuals. If it’s at a house, or someone’s just hosting it because they can, usually that’s the place to go. People are more engaged. Everyone who’s there wants to be there.”
The Dish Pit
The Dish Pit is another house venue, hosting live performances in a closer-quarters setting. The hosts seek to provide a place for musicians and fans to enjoy music together in a safe and fun environment, and have been offering their space to artists for over a year.
“Locally in Springfield, the Dish Pit and Rock Bottom are the go-to places. House shows are sometimes more affordable. With donations, you don’t have to give money to get in. If you can’t afford it, someone might help you out. It’s a community.”
