Hundreds of music lovers packed into The Dome to sweat, mosh and head bang for the last time at the venue’s farewell show.

Joel Tyrell, bass player for Australian band Hands Like Houses, said The Dome’s closing show coincided with the end of their tour with headliner Pierce the Veil.

“We’ve just been on tour with Pierce the Veil, and this is our last show with them, so it’s kind of our last run too,” said Tyrrell. “We’re just happy to play the show. It should be a fun night.”

Sam Sky, vocalist from I Am King, said despite having been booked because they’re part of a tour package with bands Make Me Famous and Get Scared, was honored to be part of the closing of the venue.

“[The Dome] has got quite a reputation around here,” said Sky. “It’s a piece of Bakersfield that will be sorely missed. It’s cool we get to be part of that.”

Sky’s friend Monev Tibs said it’s disappointing that venues like these continue to close, not just in Bakersfield, but all around the country.

“It hurts my heart a little bit when I hear that something stupid like fighting or people getting stabbed at shows is the reason they’re shutting down, because it kind of ruins it for everyone,” Tibs said.

“You punish everyone for things only a couple of people are doing. It sucks.”

Sacramento native Nate Schneppl said it is unfortunate Bakersfield was losing this venue, as where he grew up there was no hardcore scene at all.

“It is our first time here and it sucks because it’s a very nice venue,” said Schneppl.

“It’s a good area, all industrial so you can be as loud as you want.

“I wish we had one of these in Sacramento.”

Marco Osio, 20, who has been to many shows at the Dome in the past, says he has seen a decline in the Bakersfield hardcore scene over the years.

“When [The Dome] closes, the scene dies,” Osio said.

A few show goers had a different perspective on the venue closing.

“I’m happy that it’s changing to a church,” said Destiny Servantes, 24, who has been coming to The Dome since she boxed there as a kid and worked security once it became a music venue.  “It’s come full circle. There was a lot of bad blood spilled here and now it’s time for a change, time for a blessing.”

She says she hopes the lack of smaller venues will motivate local bands onto bigger stages.

“Hopefully they succeed and hit the big stages like Rabobank,” she said.

“I have a lot of faith in these bands out here. I send them prayers, and I hope they do their best.”