Mar 19, 2025 - Music

Beachland Ballroom turns 25: Revisiting 5 memorable shows

Troy Smith

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Patrick Carney and Dan Auberbach stand at the back of their open touring van circa 2003. — Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys played their first-ever show in 2002 at Beachland and returned for an intimate surprise concert in 2008. Photo: Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images

Cleveland's Beachland Ballroom & Tavern turns 25 this month.

The venue has hosted a number of big-name acts over the years, many before they burst onto the national scene.

Here's a look back at five shows still talked about today:

The White Stripes

When: March 13, 2000

Its second weekend after opening, the Beachland hosted a little-known Detroit duo named The White Stripes, which is nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year.

The Cramps

When: May 26, 2003

The show celebrated the influential punk act that earned its stripes during the 1970s in Akron before moving to New York and becoming an integral part of the legendary CBGB scene.

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When: July 13, 2003

The Beachland was the hottest music venue in 2003, a year capped by a raucous sold-out show featuring the groundbreaking 1980s Los Angeles punk band.

The Black Keys

When: May 7, 2008

The Akron band returned to its roots for a surprise show in front of just 150 people.

Bootsy Collins

When: April 6, 2012

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bootsy Collins of Parliament-Funkadelic played a special concert at Beachland in honor of the annual ceremony's return to Cleveland.

Go deeper: 15 greatest concerts in Cleveland history