When Ghost Cult last saw Gary Numan, he was opening for Ministry, and there was no doubt that he could headline a show himself. Well, this year it is his turn at top billing, and the tour came to White Eagle Hall in Jersey City on the last evening of winter.
Located in an up-and-coming neighborhood, White Eagle Hall is much like many of the old dance halls found throughout the area. It lies a few minutes’ walk from the Grove Street Path Station and just off of Route 78, but parking in the area can be tricky. There are no public lots to speak of, and permit restrictions on a lot of streets. A cavernous box with a good-sized stage on the opposite end and bars on either side. A balcony with seats runs around the top of the room, but it isn’t always open. Hint: if the balcony is open, there are bathrooms and a bar up there that are usually way less crowded than their counterparts on the main floor. In theory, White Eagle Hall is very similar to a lot of music venues, but it is in the execution that they prove their mettle. Everything is pristine. The dance floor looks like it was just refinished yesterday. It is not stained or sticky with spilled beer. The bathrooms are similar in that there is not one sticker or bit of graffiti to be found. Not a lightbulb out anywhere, and a clear attention to detail. This is one of the best venues in North Jersey, and it has easy public transportation access from Manhattan. Continue reading →