The Franklin Music Hall is a concert venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, located at 421 N. 7th Street between Willow and Spring Garden Streets in a converted building once part of the General Electric Switchgear Plant. It opened in 1995 and was named for the original Electric Factory. The standing-room-only capacity is approximately 2,500 to 3,000 people, including the second-floor area which overlooks the stage from stage left. Spectators in this area often have the bonus of being able to view a portion of the backstage. The venue features a variety of musical acts in the rap, electronic, heavy metal, rock, grunge, and pop genres. The Factory was host to the filming of Underoath, Yellowcard and Lamb of God's live DVDs, and most recently, The Starting Line, along with a live recording from The Fray. The Philadelphia-based livetronica band, The Disco Biscuits, have played more shows in the history of The Electric Factory than any other band. In addition to being a concert venue, Electric Factory is available for Private Parties and Corporate Functions. In 2018, the Electric Factory was sold to The Bowery Presents, who temporarily called it "North Seventh" while they held a contest to rename the venue. In October 2018, the new name was announced as Franklin Music Hall.
Electric Factory, 1968-1973
The original Electric Factory was founded by Sheldon Kaplan, Herbert Spivak, and his brothers Jerry Spivak and Allen Spivak. They soon hired Larry Magid to book all of the shows. Kaplan sold his stake in the company after the Atlantic City Pop Festival and Magid stepped up to become a partner. The original venue was a converted tire warehouse on the northwest corner of 22nd and Arch Streets, which opened in 1968, and was originally called the "Electric Factory & Flea Market." A few doors down on the north side of Arch Street, between 21st and 22nd streets, was the first concert venue in that area, independent of the Electric Factory, a place called the "Trauma." The first performers, on February 2, 1968, were the Chambers Brothers. The building closed in 1973, and was eventually torn down and replaced with condominiums. Coincident with the venue, Electric Factory Concerts began as a concert promotions firm, also owned by Larry Magid. It went on to become the dominant concert promoter in Philadelphia.
