Stemming from the off-brand glamour of South Street, the TLA has come into its own as one of the city’s most venerable music venues. A former movie theater, the TLA has a history that reflects that of its neighborhood: it was an art house as the area developed its artistic identity, then a small venue surrounded by a burgeoning club scene, and now a cog in Live Nation’s city-wide concert machine, a reflection of the mass tourism that has slowly cast a shadow over the street’s many charms.
Yet this push towards the mainstream doesn’t reflect on the acts that play the venue — only the ticket prices. A diverse group of artists cycle through the deceptively large room each week, from Broken Social Scene to Jason Derülo to Dead Kennedys. This incredible eclecticism makes it hard not to like the TLA; it truly has something for everyone, even for fans of certain “fringe” scenes that might not be represented at larger venues.
And as a small venue, the TLA has physical appeal that might be lost on larger spaces. The room still looks like a movie theater, with an old-fashioned popcorn machine near the entrance and a bright marquee outside. Ornate lamps hang from the ceiling, and a balcony is set back from the stage, offering panoramic views of the artist as well as alcohol. And though the venue can pack in 800 concertgoers it still feels essentially personal, as if it is nothing but an indie movie theater tucked into an artsy neighborhood and Live Nation is just a name on a ticket stub.
Address: 334 South Street
Website: http://www.livenation.com/Theatre-of-Living-Arts-tickets-Philadelphia/venue/16388 Upcoming shows: The Tallest Man on Earth, Mike Posner, K'Naan
