A longtime Knoxville music venue is closing, but its legacy will live on next door

Ryan Wilusz | Knoxville

Show Caption Hide Caption The International to close, leaving The Concourse under new ownership One of Knoxville's most beloved music venues is closing down. But its legacy will live on just next door.

For years, an old brick building tucked alongside a Western Avenue overpass has been a home for headbangers and ravers alike.

In some cases, it's been a place for those who feel like they don't belong to feel like they do.

But this beloved music venue is now closing. So where is there to go?

Just look next door.

The end of an era

The International will host its final concert June 8, ending the streak of music venues that have been housed in a building at 940 Blackstock Ave.

Director of Operations Jay Harris said no plans have been announced for the space, but its focus will not be live music. The building has been a music venue for roughly 30 years, he said.

Harris will become the new owner of The Concourse, which is The International’s smaller venue located just next door on the same property.

Brian Coakley revitalized the buildings four years ago and opened both venues after the property's previous venue, Blackstock, closed down. However, Coakley recently decided he wants to focus on booking shows, Harris said.

“When he made the decision to go that direction, that’s when I scrambled to try to secure the property,” he said. “During the process, which is long and complex, I was able to secure The Concourse. I was not able to secure The International.”

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'This is our home'

Reactions from frequent patrons have been mixed, but most people are simply disappointed, Harris said.

“For a lot of the people who have been to shows there in that room in the past four or five years, it’s been a music venue longer than they were alive,” Harris said. “But it’s the natural progression of things … We’ll do the best we can over here to carry on the legacy of the property.”

Andrew Hardy was in the crowd at The International’s grand opening. He has since played DJ sets at the venue and attended multiple shows.

“It’s the hometown venue,” he said. “There’s no other spot that gets the type of shows they do in Knoxville.”

Harris said the venue is known for its heavy rock and electronic dance music performances.

“The crowd is always amazing,” Hardy said. “The audience is so, so great and responsive. I’m not the most sociable person at shows, but everybody I do talk to is really friendly."

Hardy said the vibe of the venue has led him to make friends while attending shows. That's part of the reason he's disappointed it's closing.

But Harris said he will continue to embrace an inclusive environment at The Concourse.

“This is our home,” Harris said. “This is where we live, and we want to invite people into the home and make them feel welcome. I’m hoping that philosophy has just bled over into the general patronage here. It seems like it has.”

Changes coming soon

Although The International is the larger venue, being able to accommodate roughly 1,100 people, Harris said The Concourse actually has sold more tickets over the past year. The 500-person venue hosts more performances and has become the “heart and soul” of the property, he said.

“You see the big glitzy shows over there, but this is your home,” Harris said. “This is where people really get comfortable.”

And to make people feel more comfortable, Harris said he is going to close The Concourse on June 10 to remodel before reopening July 6.

Here are some of the changes Harris said people can expect under the new ownership:

A more diverse group of performers, including bluegrass and rockabilly artists

Free parking at all times in The Concourse lot

A security guard to monitor the parking lot

Small aesthetic changes

Improved sound quality

“I want this to be the best sounding room in the Southeast for its size,” Harris said. “I think we’re going to be doing that with no problem … There’s very little to be done, but we’re going to do it.”

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Looking ahead

The International will host its four-year anniversary party Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2, with performances by The Floozies and Cherub. Anthrax will perform the final concert on June 8.

The July 6 reopening of The Concourse will feature multiple artists, including Coakley performing under his DJ name Psychonaut.

“I definitely want to make sure we pay tribute to our roots (in the future),” Harris said. “This is a wide-open space. There is room to move around. The programming is diverse. I think we’ve got some of the most recognized and most experienced staff. What’s not to like about this place?”