Music Venue

The Electric Factory

Historic Philadelphia music venue (1968-1970, reopened 1995). Hosted Jimi Hendrix and The Who. Now operating as Franklin Music Hall with a capacity of 2,500 to 3,000.

Philadelphia, USA

2,500 capacity

Est. 1968

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Music Genres

rockhip-hopelectronicindie

About The Electric Factory

Historic Philadelphia music venue (1968-1970, reopened 1995). Hosted Jimi Hendrix and The Who. Now operating as Franklin Music Hall with a capacity of 2,500 to 3,000.

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The Electric Factory is a historic Philadelphia music venue that originally operated from 1968 to 1970 at 22nd and Arch Streets, hosting Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and The Chambers Brothers. A second incarnation opened in 1995 at 7th and Willow Street in a converted General Electric plant. In 2018, the venue was sold and renamed Franklin Music Hall, with a capacity of 2,500 to 3,000.

History

The original Electric Factory and Flea Market opened in 1968 in a converted tire warehouse on the northwest corner of 22nd and Arch Streets. It was owned by Sheldon Kaplan, Herbert Spivak, and his brothers Jerry and Allen Spivak. Larry Magid was hired to book shows and became a partner after the Atlantic City Pop Festival in 1969.

The original venue hosted performances by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and The Chambers Brothers until 1970. The building was torn down in 1973 and replaced by condominiums. Electric Factory Concerts, the promotion company born alongside the venue, continued as a major concert promoter under Larry Magid.

In 1995, Magid and Spivak reopened the Electric Factory in a converted building from the General Electric Switchgear Plant on 7th and Willow Street. The new venue quickly became Philadelphia's primary mid-size concert room. In 2016, Consequence of Sound named it the 16th best venue in the United States.

In September 2018, the Electric Factory was sold to The Bowery Presents. Because the trademarked name was owned by rival Live Nation, the new owners held a public naming contest that received over 5,000 submissions. In October 2018, the venue was renamed Franklin Music Hall.

Notable Performances

The original Electric Factory (1968-1970) hosted Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Chambers Brothers, and other major acts of the era during its brief two-year run.

The 1995 reincarnation hosted a wide range of artists across rock, hip-hop, electronic, and indie genres. The venue's two-level layout (first floor all ages, balcony 21 and older) made it accessible to diverse audiences. Electric Factory Concerts, the promotion arm, grew into one of Philadelphia's largest concert promoters, producing shows at venues across the city and region.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Philadelphia is a major touring market between New York and Washington, D.C., and the Electric Factory (now Franklin Music Hall) is its central mid-size venue. With a capacity of 2,500 to 3,000, it represents a significant step up from club venues. Independent artists who can sell out this room are ready for theater-sized tours.

For independent artists, the Electric Factory's history offers two lessons. First, a venue's cultural impact can outlast its physical existence. The original Electric Factory operated for just two years but its name carried enough weight to justify a reopening 25 years later. Second, building relationships with local promoters like Electric Factory Concerts can open doors to larger venues.

Use our tour revenue calculator to model the financial side of routing through Philadelphia, and read our guide to booking your first tour for practical booking advice.