Carnegie Hall typically conjures up images of elderly ladies and gents dressed to the nines and sitting quietly, listening to an orchestra play Beethoven's Symphony No 5 in C Minor.
But Thursday night, the venerable institution played host to a flood of youth more commonly found at Bowery Ballroom. The occasion was a rare acoustic concert by alt-country group Band of Horses. For many in the audience, it was their first visit to the concert hall, and they stood gazing and snapping photos of the four stories of gilt-edged balconies.
"The place we played in last night looked just like this, I swear," drawled lead singer Ben Bridwell.
New York night owls have been wandering aimlessly ever since their roost the Beatrice was shuttered in April with scant evidence of reopening. While mourning its passing, Beatrice habitues have been seeking a replacement, trying Cabin Down Below, spiffy sports bar Warren 77, ever-present Rose Bar and, now, Avenue.
It helps that Paul Sevigny and his Beatrice crew have taken over Tuesday nights at the just-opened Chelsea venue. Last night the playlist was the same as the Beatrice -- retro pop staples like "Laid" by James and The Knack's "My Sharona" -- and regulars like Purple's Olivier Zahm, actor Brady Corbet and artist Aaron Young mixed with hordes of young models and bearded chaps in Panama hats. The only thing missing was charm.