Every issue, we’ll be giving an in-depth look at a different Philadelphia music venue. This week, we start with one of the city’s most iconic: The Electric Factory.
Philadelphians are a group prone to repurposing: they’ve successfully recast a simple meat sandwich as a nationally renowned icon (cheesesteaks); made existing near one of the world's biggest cities as a cause for celebration (being 90 miles from NYC) and turned a handful of otherwise grungy city blocks into one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses (your future alma mater). So it makes sense that one of the city’s most beloved (and well-known) musical venues is The Electric Factory, which used to be, well, an electric factory. The venue is a brick building with an early 20th Century appearance in a part of town you’ve probably never been to for any other reason than a concert. While bands themselves do the work at concerts, they owe a lot to the canvas laid down for them by a venue. And what a crisp canvas The Electric Factory lays.
The Electric Factory holds roughly 2,500 people which an intimate yet energetic atmosphere. You’re just as likely to feel lost in the crowd as you are to feel like it’s just you and the band. If the crowd aspect of all this isn’t for you, the Electric Factory also has a second-floor balcony and bar, which this reviewer unfortunately has yet to explore due to his lack of fake ID. If you don’t like having beer spilled on you, the balcony seems like a good option. But where’s the fun in that?
Regardless of where you’re positioned, the Electric Factory tends to book an incredible variety of bands which span genres from ska to death metal to indie and back. In short, if you haven’t been here yet, you should go to this quintessentially Philadelphian venue immediately. But it'll probably happen anyway, because it’d be hard to be on campus for four years and not have one of your favorite musicians pass through.
