PA: Finding out Lighting Conditions in Advance <Box Awsome or The Hull Avenue Tavern>

There's a band I'd like to shoot. I can either shoot them at a venue named Box Awesome in Lincoln, Nebraska or at one named The Hull Avenue Tavern in Des Moines, Iowa. Lincoln is about 50 miles from me while Des Moines is about 200. However, I don't want to base my decision on how much gas I'll have to burn. I'd rather base it on lighting quality and the photographic space. Unfortunately, I've never been to either venue.

If I call these places, is there any chance that the venue owners will be able to give me any information that is helpful or is photography talk to a non-photographer about as useful as speaking in Chinese?

Also, if anyone has any knowledge of these venues, I'd apprecite any insight you can give me. Thanks.

I don't think a non-photographer could give you any decent information on the lighting. Maybe you can try their websites or Google for photos other photographers took at the venues? Think that would be a lot more helpful than asking about lighting conditions.

Try to get one of their technicians on the line (light and/or sound engineers)...