New USC venue Tommy's Place provides what Ground Zero lacks

If you're looking for a club atmosphere in the heart of the USC campus, newly opened venue Tommy's Place is for you.

The bar at the Campus Center's Traditions Restaurant.

Tommy's Place screening of the
Trojan football away game against Washington State.

A large, underground space is split between the newest reincarnation of campus pub Traditions, lovingly called Traddies, and Tommy's Place.

The new venue, part of the Ronald Tutor Campus Center, is a self-proclaimed concert venue, comedy-show stage and sport-screening location.

Previously, Ground Zero, a coffee house, was the main venue on USC's campus and attracted many up-and-coming bands from around L.A. including the Dodos and Imagine Dragons, as well as student bands The Smiles and Kiven.

Sophomore Gianni Visciano, majoring in music industry and minoring in entrepreneurship and songwriting, said playing at Ground Zero is like playing the quintessential coffee shop. "The stage calls together a crowd of people as diverse in their musical taste as the performers," said Visciano, who has played at the venue. Loved by artists for its intimate feel, "when you hit that last note on the guitar, you can hear your audience breathing," said Visciano.

Ground Zero serves shakes, tea and coffee
providing a study space for students.

T-Shirts of past performing
bands hang on the wall in Ground Zero.

Some students feared the addition of the new venue in the campus center would reduce Ground Zero's popularity.

"I really like that Ground Zero is a smaller, more intimate venue," said Faith Xue, a junior majoring in communication and minoring in musical studies. "I was excited for the opening of Tommy's Place, but worried it might take away from Ground Zero's ability to book shows."

However, the differences in the two venues appeal to a variety of performers and in the end complement rather than compete with each other.

"Open mics and other events at Ground Zero have grown significantly—not dropped—since Tommy's Place's opening," said Visciano. "Ground Zero has a special place in the University's heart."

Flyers for events cover
the coffee house's bulletin board.

The two venues could attract more acts to campus because the university now has spaces catering to every type of performer.

"A singer-songwriter or more acoustic act might feel more comfortable with the mellow Ground Zero crowd, but a rock band might feel more at home in a nightclub setting like Tommy's Place," said Natalie Angiuli, a junior majoring in theatre and music. "They definitely have two very different atmospheres, and both are cool."

This year, Ground Zero has hosted a weekly open mic night, poetry readings and improv groups.

Ground Zero hosts an event almost every night of the week.

Tommy's place kicked off its events with a Battle of the Bands, as well as local indie band Mississippi Man and screenings of football games.

Although football screenings are also offered at Ground Zero, "For football games it's better to go to Tommy's place because there is more of a social atmosphere, and for the over 21 crowd, it offers the opportunity to drink at Traddies," said Kirsley Perry, a junior majoring in accounting.

The new technology available at Tommy's Place is attractive to bands looking for a venue at USC.

Tommy's Place boasts
a projector screen and 10 plasmas.

"Since Tommy's Place is brand new, the sound equipment is more advanced —and spankin' new—so that's definitely a plus. However, Ground Zero really stepped up their game with new equipment last year, so they are definitely working to keep up with the times," said Anjiuli, who has performed at Ground Zero.

Ground Zero upgraded its sound equipment last year.

Both Ground Zero and Tommy's Place are attractive venues for bands booking shows, they each offer something different and complement each other to bring more acts to the university campus and provide more opportunities for student bands to be heard.

From the looks of it, both venues are thriving and here to stay.