The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Fort Worth Weekly are each reporting that the Live Oak, the 300-capacity music venue in Cowtown’s Southside, will close at the end of April.
The cause of death is being reported as complications from higher rent and competition with Dallas venues. The venue was five years old. Services are April 29 with Brandy Clark and Charlie Worsham.
Live Oak entertainment director Brooks Kendall Jr. told the Star-Telegram:
“To me, the biggest problem is that once you get above a certain threshold, you are in the shadow of Dallas,” he continued. “Acts want to play the major market, which is Dallas. I’ve had agents refer to Fort Worth as a suburb, not to be mean but they just don’t understand.”
The Live Oak is survived by several of Fort Worth’s other notable mid-sized venues, including Shipping & Receiving and Lola’s.
