This is big Philly concert news! The legendary venue known as the Electric Factory is no longer called ‘The Electric Factory’ and will temporarily be called ‘North Seventh’.
The name change is the result of Bowery Presents acquiring the historic venue, where they have already been promoting many shows. Due to naming rights issues with former owner Live Nation, they will be updating the name. In fact, you can name it! There will be a public naming contest to help select the permanent new name of the venue and you can submit your suggestions for the new name until September 30, 2018 by visiting NorthSeventhPhilly.com. The winner will receive two free tickets to every show at the venue through 2020.
With that, it looks like Dave Grohl will not be able to make good on his promise to have Foo Fighters play ‘The Electric Factory’
Here’s the official press release full of obligatory quotes and corporate speak.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE BOWERY PRESENTS ACQUIRES HISTORIC ELECTRIC FACTORY
Temporarily named “North Seventh,” The Bowery Presents calls on Philadelphia
community to help rename the beloved venue
PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 12, 2018) – The Bowery Presents, the leading concert promotion and venue management company in the Northeast, announced today the acquisition of Electric Factory in Northern Liberties, further expanding its venue presence in Philadelphia. The Bowery Presents aims to honor the history and preserve the soul of the venue by maintaining its current aesthetic and continuing to book top-tier acts, with no disruptions in existing programming.
Use of the legendary Electric Factory name has been refused by Live Nation, the venue’s former owners. As such, The Bowery Presents has temporarily named the venue “North Seventh” and turns to Philadelphia’s robust music community to crowdsource a permanent new moniker. A public naming contest will accept submissions now through September 30, 2018. The winner will receive two complimentary tickets to every show at the venue through 2020. For more information and to submit an entry to the naming contest, visit NorthSeventhPhilly.com.
The Bowery Presents first entered Philadelphia through a valued partnership with R5 Productions, together opening Union Transfer in 2011 and Boot & Saddle in 2013. Following a 2016 merger with AEG Presents, The Bowery Presents expanded its reach to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Keswick Theatre and Underground Arts, among other area venues through a mix of ownership and booking agreements. Through this recent acquisition, the 2,700 capacity “North Seventh” joins The Bowery Presents’ family of venues in Philadelphia ranging from 150 to 14,000 capacity.
“Since opening, the Electric Factory has been a cornerstone of the city’s music scene. We see this an amazing opportunity to build on the venue’s great legacy and write a new chapter,” said Bryan Dilworth, The Bowery Presents Philadelphia buyer and veteran of 24 years at the venue.
“The Bowery Presents is thrilled to welcome this truly historic location to our family in Philadelphia,” said Jim Glancy, partner at The Bowery Presents. “The Bowery Presents has earned a reputation of developing artists and offering fans amazing live music experiences from small to large venues, and this addition of North Seventh to our growing family will be exciting for artists and fans alike.”
The Electric Factory first opened its doors in 1968 at 22nd and Arch Street, and quickly became a staple of live music performance in Philadelphia. In 1995, the venue re-opened at its current location under the new ownership of Larry Magid and Adam Spivak, who led the venue through a successful 24-year run of performances by musical greats from across genres and generations. Most recently, The Bowery Presents booked acts including Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Greta Van Fleet, MGMT, and Matt and Kim at the venue. A full listing of upcoming events can be found at BoweryPhilly.com.