The Galaxy And Beyond

The 650-capacity Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, Calif., a regular concert stop for acts big and small, will shutter February 23rd after losing its lease – but that’s not the end of the story.

After 12 years, the club’s final concerts included a Valentine’s Day show with the Eels and a February 21st show with Agent Orange, according to owner Gary Folgner.

Folgner, who also owns The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, said he got the bad news on Thanksgiving.

"At first, it was a major shock to my system. Basically [the landlord] was offered more money than I had agreed on. I was paying $18,000 and the offer from the new people was $50,000," Folgner told Pollstar. "The money was so substantial, there was no way I could match that offer.

"[But] it may be a blessing in disguise. We’ll probably open another venue that will be a little less expensive than that one was. We’re actually looking for something to buy."

Acts including Cheap Trick, Kottonmouth Kings, The Robert Cray Band, Loretta Lynn, OK Go, She Wants Revenge and Misfits, to name a few, have taken the stage during the Galaxy’s 12-year run.

Despite the venue’s abrupt closing, Folgner is optimistic that another opportunity like the Galaxy will come along.

"I sort of shared some of the acts from the Galaxy with the Coach House because of our close proximity, so this will make the Coach House busier," he said.

"[But] it’s really fun to see kids out there playing music and people wanting to dance again and have a good time. It’s a hell of a different world that we’re going into and it’s really exciting."

A May 1st date with UFO has been moved to the Coach House.