subject: Delight Your Ears At The Electric Factory [print this page] The Electric Factory is one locale that has seen some of the greatest musicians of all time performing their craft. It is a staple of Philadelphia history, at least when it comes to the music scene.
The original site was located at 22nd and Arch Street. It was converted from a tired warehouse into a concert hall and opened in 1968.
The owners of the site were the Spivak brothers and their booker was Larry Magid. They had all had experience with these types of establishments, being experienced bar owners, and decided to go in another direction by adding musical acts into their establishment.
Larry Magid actually began a concerts promotion film congruent with the venue called Electric Factory Concerts. Little did he know, the site would become a major tour destination during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
On February 2, 1968, the first act that performed there were the Chambers Brothers. It also showed bands like Fleetwood Mac, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, and Moody Blues.
Unfortunately, the original site was closed in the year 1973, tore down, and replaced with condominiums. However, the Electric Factory was resurrected in 1994 at the new site at 7th Street and Willow.
It is now actually inside an old warehouse that was once an electric factory. For the past decade, the building has welcomed a great deal of musical acts.
It is constantly bringing in both new and upcoming and already well-known artists. The place itself is an extremely interesting and eclectic locale to see a concert.
The standing room only capacity is at about 2,500 people, including the bleacher seats that are often set up inside and the second floor area set up at stage left that looks over the performing artists. Many prefer to sit in this section, though it is not as close as the floor space, because you can often catch a glimpse of the musicians and goings on backstage.
The theater is small, so it offers the benefits of a personal and invite-only seeming performance. Anywhere concert-goers stand or sit in the Electric Factory offers a great view, and you feel like the performing is singing directly to you.
The experience there feels very private and special. Since most of the performances are only for adults 21 and over, you will never have to experience the loudness and chaos that comes with going to see a band sing where teens and younger individuals are allowed.
It is also a place that people of any background or style can enjoy. It has the cool vibe that young adults enjoy, including velour curtains, chandeliers, and graffiti style art, and the grown-up classy style that adults and business class individuals are looking for when they visit a concert hall.
There is a huge variety of musical acts that are invited to perform at this theater. All different types of bands and singers from rock, pop, R&B, contemporary, rap, heavy metal, and rock genres can visit there and feel at home.
Quite a few bands have used the Electric Factory as the place to film their live DVD's and gigs, such as Underoath, Yellowcard, the Starting Line, and the Fray. It is Philadelphia's most popular and most celebrated cite for live music.
If you are visiting Philadelphia and looking for activities or fun things you and your friends can do, then you should definitely check out a show at this, or any other, music venue in the city. Some of the greatest and most well-known artist hail from Philly, and it is a site that is steeped in musical culture.
If you wish to visit, try looking at the calendar at the hall's website. If you are able to find a musician that has a gig there that you would love to see, you can purchase tickets through their page or through another sister ticket website.
If you wish to push your luck, you can wait until the day or evening of the event and buy tickets at the box office. They are guaranteed to be at least several dollars cheaper, because you will not have to pay a processing fee.
Philadelphia, and specifically the Electric Factory, is one place that can keep musical connoisseurs occupied for a while. Catch a show, and give your ears a treat!
