The Strand hasn’t been the same since the 90s when it was a dedicated music venue. This was back when Lupos was in the old Woolworth building and there were a few other venues like babyhead etc.

The plus side back then was they had a ton of regional and newer/smaller national acts. I saw Alanna Miles there lol. The downside back then was that it was a total dump.

Then they closed and reopened later in partnership with Lupos. They cleaned it up a little but I think that arrangement sucked. The band shows were too early and then the weird club shows were eating into the music. I saw better than Ezra during that time and the lighting people for the Strand club night actually started setting up lights and stuff while BTE were playing. I thought a fight was going to break out onstage. It was bad.

And now as other posters commented they aren’t a choice spot. Boston has MGM music hall and others that fill that niche. And without live nation dollars it’s hard to compete.