The Gate, a concert venue on 23rd and O Street, focuses on providing a positive place for the youth to listen to music and support music acts.

According to event director Mike Carlson, it is “the atmosphere” that makes The Gate different from other venues. He said, “It’s a safe atmosphere. There is no alcohol allowed on the premises. We take care of The Gate inside and out, making sure it’s safe for everybody. We won’t allow fights to break out. The safe atmosphere is the key, making sure everybody has a good time. There is some hardcore trashing that goes on, but its not malicious.”

Carlson says that this dedication to a positive venue is because of the religious connection. The Gate is a branch of The Garden Community Church. He said, “Obviously with God being the center, we discourage verbal abuse by the bands, we discourage cursing and things like that. Bands from out of The Garden and other churches come here and play and get the word of God out. We do allow secular bands to play here.”

Tommy Juarez, a fan of shows at The Gate, says that it’s the “good people and good environment” that bring him to the venue. He says, “It’s really nice and chill. It’s one of the main reasons [I come to The Gate]. There’s drunk people everywhere at Jerry’s and The Dome. Here, the worst you get is smoking outside, and that’s not even a big deal.”

When attending shows at The Gate Juarez feels, “a good sense of joy” and “gets really happy.” Juarez also likes the low prices of tickets and variety of acts.” He said, “It’s only seven dollars for a show. It’s not all hardcore, you get acoustic and alternative.”

Some of the bands that play at The Gate feel supported by both the venue and the audience.

Chris Fink, lead singer of For Every King a Crown, plays at The Gate.

He said, “every time we play here, everyone that’s in the crowd gets involved and they participate in the music they really seem to enjoy it. They slam dance, hardcore dance, they’re onstage, they’re moshing, if you love music you come to the show and enjoy it, you do what you want to do.”

Fink describes hardcore dancing and slam dancing as a “way of getting out your emotions through energy and passion. If you’ve had a bad week, if work has been crappy you just go out there and swing away.”

Fink commented about The Gate as a venue, “The people who run The Gate are very nice. They’re all about the local scene. You don’t have to sell tickets to play. They pay you. It’s a nice venue. The stage is nice. The sound equipment is nice. It’s really fun to play.”

Kyle Lutge, lead singer of Stomping Grounds, a band that plays at The Gate, echoes Fink’s sentiments. He said, “It’s friendly, everyone welcomes you with open arms, nothing is hostile, everyone’s nice, it’s a fun place to just have a show. There are never fights here. You can pretty much be yourself.”