The Red and Black

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For a place known as such a big secret, a lot of people sure do know about it.

The Barn, located on Barber Street, has thrown so many backyard house parties that it has become the talk of the town for musicians and concert-goers.

"It's the party after the party," said Emily Beard, a 2004 University graduate from Decatur who has been to the Barn a few times over the past year.

It's becoming a music venue for local and regional bands and entertainers, such as Psychic Hearts, Count Kellam, DJ Twin Powers and Y-O-U.

"Lately there have been a lot more house shows in Athens," said Will Kiser, director of development at Nuçi's Space.

He said until laws changed a few years ago making bars get customers out by 2:30 a.m., venues used to stay open until the early morning hours.

"But they don't do that anymore, so you'll see a lot more fliers downtown for (house parties)," he said.

Shows at the Barn are not heavily advertised, so attendees must find out about them from others who already know.

"It's one of those word-of-mouth places that people downtown talk about," Beard said.

The place is so tight-lipped that spectators may find their friends at the party, even though they didn't talk about it before the show.

"The coolest thing about it is that you just go because you hear about it, and then you run into about 40 people you know or haven't seen in a while," she said.

But audience members may not even know their roommates are only a few people away because of the growing popularity.

"It's usually like elbows tucked in and bumping into people," she said.

Beard said if the place becomes too crowded it can lose its appeal.

"It's like that band you love that you don't want anybody else to know about," she said.

Even though shows are held in an actual barn, musicians and audience members said the show is like any venue downtown.

There's a low stage and a sound system. A cover charge of a few dollars is taken at the doors while IDs are checked because the owners discourage underage drinking.

"It's really informal and laid back, and the sound was good," said Brian Smith, guitarist for Ordinary Germans Like Yourselves.

He said the place is more like a modern version of the old abandoned church on Broad Street that bands used to play in about 20 or 25 years ago.

Even groups that have played not-so-average venues don't find the Barn much out of the ordinary.

Miami's Awesome New Republic has played in WUOG's lobby, house parties and even a movie theatre in Nashville, Tenn., but vocalist/drummer Michael-John Hancock said playing in a barn is not really different from other places.

"Going town to town, you're going to play unusual venues," he said. "But it was definitely one of those high points of that tour."

It was the band's first tour, and he said he heard the audience was one of the largest.

Unfortunately, for those who enjoy the Barn's secret shows, performances at the venue may be coming to an end because of the high occupancy.

Richard Vinal, one of the individuals who runs the Barn and lives at the house, refused to speak about the place. He did say, however, it will "soon" come to an end.

He didn't say when the place would stop holding concerts, but Kiser said he has heard rumors of a New Year's Eve Party.

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