The show must go on for the new owners of Exit/In, in spite of the hurdles they have overcome. The building, which was badly vandalized  shortly after the new owners, AJ Capital, took over, just announced the first round of shows, taking place beginning in April.

According to a post shared on social media, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Vérité, Haken, Megan Moroney, Michigander, Easy Life and Koo Koo Kanga Roo will all perform at Exit/In later this year, with the first show, with Vérité, taking place on April 1.

 

AJ Capital’s Tim Ryan spoke out about the vandalism, which reportedly took place after the former owners, Chris and Telisha Cobb, had vacated the premises.

“Upon entry, we were shocked and disheartened to find both buildings vandalized with significant damage including broken and/or missing fixtures, broken glass, and destroyed utilities and infrastructure,” Ryan said, via The Tennessean.

Still, in spite of the damage, Ryan vowed that Exit/In would still reopen in a timely matter, even with the setback.

“Despite this awful and senseless act of vandalism and destruction, we remain committed to respectfully restoring the venue and faithfully stewarding it for the long haul,” Ryan said. “The Exit/In is Nashville’s Music Forum — her history, legacy and role in this community are nobody’s to own, hijack or destroy. And to that end, we look forward to making more lifelong memories with artists and fans in due time.”

Representatives for AJ Capital vowed to keep Exit/In a music venue, after the Cobbs’ effort to raise money to keep the venue themselves, was not enough to sway the new owners. The company recently hired Dan Merker, who previously worked for Outback Presents, HUKA Entertainment and Tortuga Music Festival, as the head talent buyer.

“We are honored to carry on the legacy of this iconic venue and raise the bar for both the fan and artist experience,” Merker said in a statement provided to Billboard (via the Nashville Scene). “We look forward to announcing 2023 shows soon and as the calendar will reflect, restoring Exit/In as a welcoming place for artists that span all genres and everyone within our community.”

Dierks Bentley bid a final farewell to Exit/In with the video for “Same Ol’ Me.” The song is from his from his forthcoming Gravel & Gold album.

“My first time playing Exit/In was just as meaningful to me as playing the Ryman and Bridgestone Arena,” Bentley maintains. “I opened for Asleep at the Wheel before I had a record deal or anything. A manager was supposed to come watch me play, but they didn’t show up. I had a few too many Busch Lights and passed out under a bench. The last thing I remember hearing was Ray Benson’s booming voice.

“I woke up around 4:00 AM and realized I was all alone!” he continues. “It was bittersweet to be in there during the last days of December as they were closing it down. I felt honored to take a shot with the guys and toast to the history there and turn the lights off.”

Tickets for Vérité, Haken and Koo Koo Kanga Roo are available now, with tickets for the remainder of the shows available on Friday, January 20, at 10:00 AM CT. Find more information at ExitIn.com.