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Home > Columns & Feature Profiles > Local Venues > KOBO
KOBO live music venue in Columbus celebrates
grand opening with free entertainment this week
grand opening with free entertainment this week
OOTB: How did everything come together for you and Nick to take over Oldfields?
Jacob: Nick and I had been talking about the bar as soon as we found out that it was for
sale. We had worked out agreements and started brainstorming back in January. After a
while we thought it wasn't going to happen, and then over night everything fell into place and
the sale was finalized.
OOTB: What’s some previous work you've done in the Columbus music scene?
Jacob: Nick and I throw TRAUMA every year, which is a Halloween, fetish, freak show,
dance party sort of event. It has pulled over 1,500 people in the past two years and up to 900
the first six years. Nick also hosted the International Body Art Expo here in Columbus. I have
been booking and performing in bands for the past 12 years. I started at the Armory in
Westerville and for the past four years I have booked shows at Little Brothers, Skully's,
BoMA, High Five, Ravari Room, Rumba Cafe and a few other places around town.
OOTB: Will a variety of bands and music genres be booked at KOBO?
Jacob: We have all sorts of different genres playing here all the time. During our grand
opening you can check out Jimmy Riggs on Sunday night. They are a funk/rock group.
Jahman Brahman is on Monday night. They are mainly a jam band. Wednesday night is our
karaoke night. Then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will have a rock, hip-hop, and DJ
group each night. Some names include Envelope, Illogic, Receiver, roeVy, and
Compressions, just to name a few.
OOTB: What do you think is the most difficult part about promoting shows?
Jacob: To me, one of the most difficult parts about booking shows is setting a mood that
other shows don't offer. It has a lot to do with what people come out to your shows. It is
always a balance between the people that may bring drama and the people that are in it for
the music--to listen and enjoy the artist.
OOTB: Will KOBO only hold concerts or will there be other types of events also?
Jacob: We will mainly be a live music venue, but we are interested in all styles of art. We
are working on a burlesque show with Viva Valezz and we have an early show (5-9 p.m.)
July 10th hosted by Raks Jahanni - Tribal Night 7 - a line up of local, talented belly dancers
and performers. As for national acts, I have been working and talking with Ben Hamilton
about some smaller touring acts.
OOTB: What kinds of changes will you make to the venue?
Jacob: For now we can offer a cleaner more inviting vibe at the venue. We don't have any
plans for remodeling in the near future, but we have put a fresh coat of paint on the walls
and have framed and hung some of my favorite show posters. We are also enjoying the
process of creating a bigger and better beer selection.
OOTB: Anything else you’d like to add for people to know about KOBO?
Jacob: Our happy hour special is great. From 6-9 p.m., it's half off everything, 7 days a week.
OOTB: How can bands contact you for booking shows?
Jacob: For booking, bands can go to www.kobolive.com. We have a booking page for bands
to fill out and include any information that they wish to share with us. MySpace pages and
performance history in Columbus are good things to include in the contact info. We truly
look forward to working with as many talented artists, performers and musicians as possible.
Jacob: Nick and I had been talking about the bar as soon as we found out that it was for
sale. We had worked out agreements and started brainstorming back in January. After a
while we thought it wasn't going to happen, and then over night everything fell into place and
the sale was finalized.
OOTB: What’s some previous work you've done in the Columbus music scene?
Jacob: Nick and I throw TRAUMA every year, which is a Halloween, fetish, freak show,
dance party sort of event. It has pulled over 1,500 people in the past two years and up to 900
the first six years. Nick also hosted the International Body Art Expo here in Columbus. I have
been booking and performing in bands for the past 12 years. I started at the Armory in
Westerville and for the past four years I have booked shows at Little Brothers, Skully's,
BoMA, High Five, Ravari Room, Rumba Cafe and a few other places around town.
OOTB: Will a variety of bands and music genres be booked at KOBO?
Jacob: We have all sorts of different genres playing here all the time. During our grand
opening you can check out Jimmy Riggs on Sunday night. They are a funk/rock group.
Jahman Brahman is on Monday night. They are mainly a jam band. Wednesday night is our
karaoke night. Then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will have a rock, hip-hop, and DJ
group each night. Some names include Envelope, Illogic, Receiver, roeVy, and
Compressions, just to name a few.
OOTB: What do you think is the most difficult part about promoting shows?
Jacob: To me, one of the most difficult parts about booking shows is setting a mood that
other shows don't offer. It has a lot to do with what people come out to your shows. It is
always a balance between the people that may bring drama and the people that are in it for
the music--to listen and enjoy the artist.
OOTB: Will KOBO only hold concerts or will there be other types of events also?
Jacob: We will mainly be a live music venue, but we are interested in all styles of art. We
are working on a burlesque show with Viva Valezz and we have an early show (5-9 p.m.)
July 10th hosted by Raks Jahanni - Tribal Night 7 - a line up of local, talented belly dancers
and performers. As for national acts, I have been working and talking with Ben Hamilton
about some smaller touring acts.
OOTB: What kinds of changes will you make to the venue?
Jacob: For now we can offer a cleaner more inviting vibe at the venue. We don't have any
plans for remodeling in the near future, but we have put a fresh coat of paint on the walls
and have framed and hung some of my favorite show posters. We are also enjoying the
process of creating a bigger and better beer selection.
OOTB: Anything else you’d like to add for people to know about KOBO?
Jacob: Our happy hour special is great. From 6-9 p.m., it's half off everything, 7 days a week.
OOTB: How can bands contact you for booking shows?
Jacob: For booking, bands can go to www.kobolive.com. We have a booking page for bands
to fill out and include any information that they wish to share with us. MySpace pages and
performance history in Columbus are good things to include in the contact info. We truly
look forward to working with as many talented artists, performers and musicians as possible.
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The former Oldfield's on High has been renovated
with new paint, redesigned with local show
posters, has a bar with new beer selections and
was renamed KOBO, a word that means "artist's
work space" in Japanese.
To celebrate the grand opening of KOBO, new
owners Nick Wolak and Jacob Wooten have
invited the public to free live events all this week;
including three local band concerts starting tonight.
Wooten recently provided some insight on the
present and future goals of the new local music
venue and bar.
with new paint, redesigned with local show
posters, has a bar with new beer selections and
was renamed KOBO, a word that means "artist's
work space" in Japanese.
To celebrate the grand opening of KOBO, new
owners Nick Wolak and Jacob Wooten have
invited the public to free live events all this week;
including three local band concerts starting tonight.
Wooten recently provided some insight on the
present and future goals of the new local music
venue and bar.
| What? KOBO grand opening Thursday, July 8, 2010 The Compressions, Envelope, Dance or Die Friday, July 9, 2010 Ill Atmospherics, Rosehips, Illogic featuring Ill Poetic Saturday, July 10, 2010 LES Crew, The Receiver, roeVy Why? An opporunity to check out KOBO and local bands for no cost |
KOBO grand opening poster.
KOBO is located at 2590 North High Street in Columbus.
