There have been more than a few rumors circulating that Precinct, a five-year-old rock club and restaurant in Somerville’s Union Square, was going to do away with live music entirely this winter and dedicate its space to its food and bar menu.
But today Precinct manager Scott MacDonald tells Vanyaland that while changes are in order, live music, in some capacity, will still be a part of the converted police station’s identity. “We may just modify the live music schedule, do live music a couple nights a week,” MacDonald says. “We’re going to give the place a facelift, maybe change the genres.”
MacDonald stressed any potential changes are still in a “work in progress,” and it’s unlikely any change to Precinct’s live music approach would happen until January. But the subterranean space could go the route of Toad and other area bars that offer acoustic entertainment rather than loud, full-on rock shows.
“We might do something more stripped down,” he adds. “There are ways to be creative and work around it, as we have a front room and a back room. We’ll be experimental.”
Precinct currently features live music seven nights a week, mostly live local bands. It’s also home to the bi-annual Deep Heaven Now ambient/psych festival, which pairs up with nearby PAs Lounge for a one-ticket/multi-venue show experience. Playing tonight, according to Precinct’s live calendar, are Ninjavitis, Not Bothered, and Corey Rj.
Tomorrow, the 3 Penny Open Mic night concludes its Wednesday residency, and notable bands playing next month include the Easy Reasons, the Darker Hues, and Modern Day Idols.