2015 After Dark Large Photo


After Dark

When the Roman Empire was about to come crashing down, a time of great decadence swept over the land. Humanity was on the frontline of a major cultural shift, and the collective subconscious seemed well aware of the changes at hand. It was party time. Food culture was embraced — even worshiped by the people. Wine festivals, music, theater, dance, and all the creature comforts that come along with a night on the town in the shadow of imminent collapse were in great abundance.

There are many parallels that can be drawn between Rome at its end and Atlanta in 2015. The live/work/play blitzkrieg continues reshaping our surroundings with banal and monolithic condo-lofts springing up at seemingly every intersection. Our musical institutions are being dispatched with impunity. The Southern charm and haunted character of Atlanta’s well-worn facade is drying up. And like Emperor Nero tuning his violin, the city’s nightlife understands that time for change has come, and, once again, it’s party time. But with every end comes a new beginning. This year saw the phoenix-like rise of long-percolating hip-hop superstar Future’s latest album, Dirty Sprite 2. CL’s winner for Best overall music act earned Billboard’s No. 1 slot upon the album’s release, forging the soundtrack to our deliverance and illuminating a city bent on refining and diversifying in the face of opposition. Album of the year, Run the Jewels II follows suit with teeth-gnashing underground hip-hop gravitas.

Artists such as thrash-metal band Sadistic Ritual, ’80s hardcore revivalists Nurse, and electronic music innovator HXV have all raised the standards in their fields, casting off malaise and challenging their peers to work toward a stronger scene in the future.

Our Best hostess with the mostess, Brigitte Bidet, is an ambassador embracing the aesthetics of the avant-garde and queer arts with a sense of fortitude that Atlanta hasn’t seen since Ru Paul was perfecting her strut along Moreland Avenue in the Reagan era.

From the appearance of cutting-edge music venues from Aisle 5 in Little Five Points to the scrappy spirit of the Cleaners finding new life in Lakewood Heights, intown gentrification means it’s time to re-examine how the city works, and to work around the oppressive forces that pushed us toward a life immersed in the arts, music, and nightlife in the first place. These things are the heart and soul of our city. Rather than flee while the familiar façade crumbles, Atlanta has amassed an army and a burgeoning infrastructure that’s ready to meet a new era of change head-on. Indeed, a renaissance is at hand.

— Chad Radford, Music Editor

Best Local Music Blog BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Crib Notes
clatl.com/cribnotes

Best Local Music Video BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
“What” by Ralph&Louie

Best Local New Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Houston in the Blind

Best Local Overall Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic

Best Local Pop Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Stokeswood

Best Local Producer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic

Best Local Promoter BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Speakeasy Promotions
speakeasypromo.net

Best Local Punk Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Donn Patrol

Best Local R&B/Soul Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Men in Blues

Best Local Rock Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Kick the Robot

Best Local Song BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
“jack u where are u now with leah culver”
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic/jack-u-where-are-u-now-with-leah-culver

Best Local Songwriter BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Taymin Rainey

Best Local Studio BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Vision Studios

Best Local Vocalist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver

Best Lounge BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
IRIS aka Rush Lounge

Best Local Mixtape BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Young Thug’s Barter 6 AND Future’s 56 Nights

Best Music Festival BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Piedmont Park

Best Neighborhood Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Manuel’s Tavern

Best Neighborhood for Nightlife BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
East Atlanta

Best Nightlife Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
WERC Crew’s VIBES

Best OTP Music Venue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Best Outdoor Music Venue for Concerts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park

Best Place to Hear Local Music BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Eddie’s Attic

Best Place to Hear Music For Free BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Park Tavern

Best Place to Play Pool BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Twain’s Brewpub & Billiards

Best Sex Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Trapeze

Best Sports Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Taco Mac Virginia Highlands

Best Strip Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Pink Pony

Best Stripper Other Than Blondie BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Lux ATL

Best Trivia Night BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Grindhouse Killer Burgers - Piedmont
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Urban Music Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Erosol aka Department Store

Best Weekly Club Night BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
IRIS aka Rush Lounge
  • 1
  • 2 (current)
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Best Local Classical Music BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Best Local Country Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Levi Lowrey

Best Local DJ/Personality BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic

Best Local Electronic Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic

Best Local Experimental Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Jungol
jungol.net

Best Local Hip-Hop Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mighty High Coup

Best Local Instrumentalist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Francesco Maceri

Best Local Jazz Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Joe Gransden

Best Local Record Label BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Bear Kids Recordings

Best Local Record Label BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Block Society

Best Local Mainstream Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mastodon

Best Local MC BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
MC Word

Best Local Metal Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Subdivisions

Best Local Music Blog BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Crib Notes
clatl.com/cribnotes

Best Local Music Video BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
“What” by Ralph&Louie

Best Local New Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Houston in the Blind

Best Local Overall Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic

Best Local Pop Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Stokeswood

Best Local Producer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic

Best Local Promoter BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Speakeasy Promotions
speakeasypromo.net

Best Local Punk Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Donn Patrol

Best Local R&B/Soul Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Men in Blues

Best Local Rock Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Kick the Robot

Best Local Song BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
“jack u where are u now with leah culver”
soundcloud.com/leahculvermusic/jack-u-where-are-u-now-with-leah-culver

Best Local Songwriter BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Taymin Rainey

Best Local Studio BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Vision Studios

Best Local Vocalist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Leah Culver

Best Lounge BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
IRIS aka Rush Lounge

Best Local Metal Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Sadistic Ritual

Best Local Mixtape BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Young Thug’s Barter 6 AND Future’s 56 Nights

Best musical shaman BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Lonnie Holley

Best Music Festival BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Piedmont Park

Best Neighborhood Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Manuel’s Tavern

Best Neighborhood for Nightlife BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
East Atlanta

Best Alternative Art Space BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Critics Pick
The Cleaners

Best Nightclub BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Aisle 5

Best Nightlife Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
WERC Crew’s VIBES

Best OTP Music Venue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Best Outdoor Music Venue for Concerts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park

Best Local Overall Music Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Future

Best Place to Hear Local Music BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Eddie’s Attic

Best Place to Hear Music For Free BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Park Tavern

Best Place to Play Pool BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Twain’s Brewpub & Billiards

Best punk outfit to reinvent itself BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Nurse

Best Sex Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Trapeze

Best Sports Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Taco Mac Virginia Highlands

Best Strip Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Pink Pony

Best Stripper Other Than Blondie BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Lux ATL

Best Trivia Night BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Grindhouse Killer Burgers - Piedmont
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Urban Music Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Erosol aka Department Store

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