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Electric Factory
Rating Details »
Category: Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhood: Spring Garden421 N 7th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 627-1332
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
64 reviews for Electric Factory
this weekend was my first time at the electric factory, and in spite of the less-than-stellar parking situation, i absolutely loved this venue. for such a huge space, it really does feel tiny. the separation of the bar from the rest of the crowd serves two purposes - it separated me from the teeny boppers (at a brand new/thrice show) and also made it much less crowded. plus, even tho i wasn't drinking, my little brother very much appreciated the proximity to the very affordable drinks.
beer selection/pricing could use some improvement, but my brother sucked down strong $6.25 jack and cokes all night, which is pretty much unbeatable for someone used to nyc prices.
sound, which i suppose is the most important thing in a live music venue, was horrendous in the downstairs bar (underneath the balcony above), but was well above-average once we moved out of that area.
definitely holds its own with the best venues in nyc... sorry, but i can't really compare it to other philly venues, as this is the only one i've been to.
Going to the Electric Factory this past month was my first time. Finding parking was just a bit challenging because at first we were going to use a parking lot that we were directed to. I started to feel very uncomfortable about and said "f" it let's just park on the street. That was very simple and it was only down the block from EF.
Getting in was easy, no attitudes from anyone. I shouted a question about the upstairs. They shouted back, but nicely & informatively. My BF and I snatched stools up top. The couches looked welcoming at a far, but up close very filthy.
So when Grizzly Bear played, the weed smoking pulled out. I know there were some people whispering about that in the crowd somewhere. Security is everywhere they didn't notice that but they noticed my boyfriend pulling out the iphone to take a pic, and dude came around fast. Pretty cornballish. We couldn't sell the show if we wanted. The sound is dookie. I haven't heard a whole bunch of Grizzly Bear's stuff so not understanding what they were singing took the fun out of it for me. The music itself sounded nice.
The decor is dark and dreary, they do not have good play music to play in between, and don't expect to have much talking going on with a friend unless you really like to yell.
I don't really understand what everyone is complaining about. I just saw Regina Spektor there and everyone there had a phenomenal time. I think most people who posted for Philadelphia venues have been waited on hand and foot their entire lives because this is what I gather people are complaining about....
Duh drinks are going to be expensive - name a place where they aren't?
Duh there are going to be rude people there - rude people are everywhere, and most likely you were the person standing behind me talking really loud the whole time about something that doesn't even have to do with Regina or music.
Duh the sound won't be great - it's not going through your hipster headphones directly to your ears. Electric Factory is a giant box and who cares about sound when you adore the person on the stage? Just to get to see them in the flesh is enough of an experience.
Duh security will be rude to you - if you're with that type of crowd. Ever heard the phrase "one bad apple spoils the bunch"? They have to prepare differently for different shows - loud security for loud shows. Regina was a sit down, so the security was extremely friendly, nice, and outgoing. They even helped the older people find seats in the bar area!
And hurray for no smoking inside! I'm allergic to smoke and think it's the nastiest habit ever.
All I have to say is that my boyfriend and I got there way early and nabbed the bar stools in the front of the second level area. Great view, great sound, great everything. My favortie part was when we could hear the voices of all of the audience singing along with her music.
Decent space, just not for mosh pit action, unless you like that (it can get scary packed). The parking situation is not great and the acoustics are definitely sub par. But overall, there are a lot of great artists that come to perform there and if you are not claustraphobic and if you don't hate strangers, its a good place to watch a concert!
Maybe I'm getting soft as I get older, but I think the Electric Factory is getting better. Am I wrong here?
A giant converted warehouse north of the highway, I've always thought of the Electric Factory as where good bands go to die. Animal Collective sounded like poop here, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were a wall of feedback and static, made worse every time Karen O. writhed about on the floor.
Getting into this place was like undergoing a brutal full-body strip search -- when I was a freshman in college, they dumped out my entire purse and took my pens, pencils and highlighters, since they were all apparently security threat. yeah, that's right. Mother f-ing highlighters! Plus tickets were some of the most expensive in the city, and the ATM has a not $1, not $2, but whopping $4 fee. What a joke!
I had sworn off the Electric Factory for good when I accepted an assignment to go see Sonic Youth there just last Thursday. And they were fabulous! And for once, the Electric Factory seemed like it didn't suck -- the acoustics were killer, the lights were some of the best I've seen in years (thanks mostly to the band, no doubt, but at least the EF didn't f- them up) and I received no strip search on my way in. Of course, the ATM still charged $4, but I was already prepared for that.
Here's a few tips I learned about the EF over the years: beer costs just as much as liquor at the bar, so go with the mixed drinks. If you wanna have a real intense experience, stand as close to the front as you can; otherwise, arrive early and try to snag one of the stools in the front of the balcony. You get a great view, you can sit down, and there's not 100000 people surrounding you, so it stays cool. If you have a large group, it might be worth it to snag one of those cabanas in the back -- they're fully equipped with couches and you can usually get away with smoking cigarettes back there.
I've seen many a show at EF and the smaller ones are better. The sound quality is not as good as some other venues and it has the typical "concert syndrome" that comes with large crowds and inadequate ladies room facilities.
Meanwhile most times I was too drunk to notice and enjoyed the shows anyway.
So come early, stake your claim, smuggle in a bottle or two of water (you'll need it) and hold in your pee until the end of the show.
Enjoy!
Dear god I must have seriously forgotten how bad the sound really was. But Sadly it took a show that would have otherwise been practically flawless to remind me.
If you enjoy bad sound, surly douche whistle workers, over priced drinks and a factory atmosphere with your concert then this is the place for you. Otherwise? unfortunately I would normally say avoid this place to high heaven and don't look back! But unfortunately it still manages to bring in the good shows that are pretty hard to avoid (why did Animal Collective have to play here?). And that's just one of the many reasons why I hate Ticket Bastard!
But I may as well leave this update with some good advice. Never EVER park in the overpriced joke of a lot. Because there's usually plenty of free parking just a couple blocks away (or at Shampoo).
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/23/2007
Yeah Yeah Yeahs are playing here soon, so it looks like I'm destined to go to this horrid place yet… Read more »
I'm sorry but I hate this place. I have yet to see a show here that I enjoyed myself. It seems like all the good bands keep coming here, too, and it annoys me because I won't go. I hate this place. The bar area upstairs is small and always packed so forget getting a drink or chilling. The floor is long and narrow in my opinion and I always end up way in the back and can't see for shit. The sound sucks here, too. I would much rather see my fave bands at The Troc but that's too small for some bands. This place is pretty dumpy overall and oh, the parking situation blows, too.
Had Yelp existed back in my college days, I would given the Electric Factory 1 star, only because a 0-star rating doesn't exist. I'd seen many shows there, and they were nightmares: the acoustics were always terrible, the crowd was always rowdy, and the staff were always rude (especially when frisking at the door). If you're legal, you get access to the balcony and bars. It's much less painful up there.
I saw The National here on Friday night; it was my first time at the Factory in 7 years. I was totally dreading it, because street parking in the area is a pain in the ass (as in, there is none), and they gouge you to park in paid lots. Plus, The National is amazing. I've seen them in several venues, and I was afraid the Factory was going to ruin their performance.
It wasn't as bad as I thought. The staff is still rude. The sound was decent -- better than I remember. I was up in the balcony, directly off the side of the stage, so maybe that was part of it. One thing I couldn't help but happily notice was that my ears weren't bleeding from noise (yeah, I'm getting old) -- then again, The National isn't a loud band, but the sound seemed to be controlled, with decent acoustics. A nice, quick waitress was taking drink orders, and really, when you're drinking and seeing and listening to The National, how can you NOT have a good time?
Still the worst venue in the city (on the brightside, we have some really good venues). All in all, the EF did not ruin my favorite band, which is the most I can expect from them.
This is the worst place to see music in Philly. Pavarotti would sound like a two-year-old screaming into a tin can on this stage.
I've been to the Electric Factory six or seven times over the last six years or so, and for some reason I keep torturing myself by returning. Last night, however, was worse than all of the other experiences combined. The depth of my horror is abysmal. I went to see Les Claypool, who was playing with three openers, one of which was a hiphop artist, Saul Williams, who I was looking forward to seeing. The sound in this place is so horrible that I couldn't understand one word of what he was saying. It was like I had cotton shoved deep inside of my ear canals. Everything was muffled and echoing, and as if that weren't bad enough, the sound technicians turn the volume up to ridiculous levels to compensate for not being able to hear a goddamn word anyone's saying. It's pretty frustrating.
If you want to drink, you're forced to either stay upstairs or stay inside of a roped-off area downstairs, which is situated directly underneath the balcony, where--and I didn't even think this was possible--the sound is even worse. The selection is terrible and horribly overpriced. The best beer they have is Sierra Nevada, which is $6.75 for a 14-ounce plastic cup, and they charge $5.75 for a Yuengling. Ridiculous.
The icing on the cake was the crowd. This was hands-down the most obnoxious crowd I've experienced in a while. The typical drunken 21-year-olds (or younger, probably) who throw elbows, do whatever it takes to push their way in front of you (then, once they get there, they spend the whole show making out instead of watching it), and basically try their best to make everyone around them miserable.
Scenario:
Female Waste of Life [jumping up and down with her hands on my shoulders]: "Let's jump and skip, girl, let's jump and skip!"
Me [at first, trying to ignore her, but then turning around violently and ripping her hands off my shoulders]: "What the hell are you talking about?"
FWoL: "I'm so fucking sick of this!"
Me: "Sick of what??"
FWoL: "These fucking barricades!"
Me: "Then go the fuck around!"
She proceeded to go around us, without another word (thank God), and then I saw her a few rows ahead doing the same thing to another poor, unknowing soul. I seriously wanted to rip her head off and stomp on it. There were a few of these situations as the night went on, but I'll spare you. To put it lightly, the crowd sucked. The crowd and the sound easily make the Electric Factory the worst venue in Philadelphia. Why must good bands keep coming here? I much prefer the Tower for a venue of this size. Hopefully I won't have another reason to come back here again.
I won tickets to a Frankie J concert a couple of years back so Lisa M. and I decided to go check it out. The night started with a very boring wait outside the place while they opened and began to search everyone. Ok, no big deal. We then went inside to realize there were no seats. We hurried to the front so we could take a spot close to the stage. The ladies were swarming and pushing even before the concert started. The atmosphere had a dingy feeling to it. It was just dark and dingy in there. That's the best way I can explain it.
There was a little area upstairs to sit and watch but by the time I noticed it, a million people were already on their way up. Most of them ended up coming back down.
That was my first and last time at the Electric Factory. I did enjoy the concert. Especially when Frankie J sang to me :) but I'm glad I didn't spend my money on those tickets.
I've been to The Electric Factory before (back in 2004, to see Musiq Soulchild), but when I found out Adele would be performing here, I had to get tickets!
So on Sunday, my boyfriend and I trekked here in the rain to see Adele and the opening act, The Script.
I actually like this venue for performances. Knowing it is general admission, I advise anyone to get their early to stake out a spot close to the stage, or on the balcony. Just come prepared, especially if you're short like me! The vibe felt very intimate, even though the venue is a decent size. We were lucky enough to be somewhat close (think 4 or 5 rows back), and truly enjoyed the experience. The sound was great, and the performances were amazing. I'd definitely opt for a venue of this size to a larger venue any day.
The first show I ever went to was at The Electric Factory and while I have fond memories of moshing to the Toadies "Happy Face," I realize now what I didn't care about when I was younger: The sound at the Factory is the worst out of all of the major venue's in the city.
While I don't go out of my way to avoid seeing a show there, it can be detraction to that show. Seeing bands such as Thrice and Circa Survive that have dynamics far beyond power chords and half time breakdowns truly show off the Factory's lackluster sound.
Unfortunately, the Factory is what we've got for the mid level bands that come through this area... so we have to suck it up and go. My suggestion? Have a good time despite the fact that you can barely hear anything outside of the bass and the fuzz!
Been to many shows here over the years and I just don't like it here. For one it's just too big and it's longer than it is wide, so if you get screwed in the back you don't get that good of a view or experience. And along with most of the other people who have reviewed this place...the sound is pretty terrible...
I try to avoid this place unless it's a band/artist is really, really want to see.
I went to see The Black Keys here, and was very impressed, like anybody from New York, how HUGE the place was. It looked really cool, with huge-ass speakers hanging from the ceiling. We were on the upper terrace floor, since the bars were up there and it was less of a mosh-pit situation. The drinks were reasonable, as far as I can remember, and the waitresses were surprisingly always around to take your order and they were all smiley and nice, which is very impressive considering the crowd.
What dampened the night was some insane roided out guy who started yelling at me for blocking is view. Dude--I was here way before you, therefore got a better spot, therefore am entitled to try to see something from my position. I am 5'2". I'm sure my boyfriend's cousin who is nearly 7 feet tall was blocking his view a lot more, but he was yelling at the tiny little Asian girl because he could. What a loser. I didn't back down at all and was shouting in his face and telling him to get the fuck away from me. I can't believe I did that.
Anyway. The venue is pretty cool. Try to get a good spot though, so you can see whatever's going on the stage. They do have screens showing the performance as well, but why look at the screen when you're somewhere live, right?
This place is awful and I assure you that 2 stars is probably more than it deserves. Bad sound quality? Check. Douche bag security? Check. Rowdy locales? Check. Electric Factory has it all. The sound was awful, just read through the many other reviews here that mention it to see what I mean. Any company with good business sense should immediately fire employees that act the way the staff here does. It was a horrible experience. I suggest you skip over this place, even if a band you like is playing.
I've been coming to the Electric Factory since high school (so it's been.... uh, quite a few years now) and, while it's not my favourite venue in Philly, I always look forward to coming here and always leave feeling like I just had a great concert-going experience.
The beer is wildly overpriced, but the bartenders are always pretty friendly. The floors are sticky, but that's to be expected (and could be much worse). Someone who's at last a foot taller than you will be blocking your view during the opening act, but will magically disappear right before the headlining band takes to the stage. The negatives of this place have nothing on the upsides, though I just can't give it any more stars because I do like the Troc and TLA so much more.
Though, despite its suspicious stains, watching a show from the horrid little red-orange couch in the 21+ seating area makes for a pretty grand (and pseudo VIP-esque) time. Especially if you don't mind snuggling with a monkey pile of friends and having a waitress tend to your every need.
The Electric Factory might leave some wanting, but its consistent ability to bring in some of my favourite musical acts and the weirdly appropriate atmosphere (it's a warehouse outfitted with a stage, but it works) make up for the sometimes patchy acoustics. I'd never say no to a show here.
I gotta give the Factory some credit...it makes the Troc look like a classy venue. That, my friends, is some true wizardry.
The Electric Factory is in many ways just like the Troc...except the negatives are far worse, and the positives do not exist. I can't imagine ever being anywhere near this shitbox if it weren't for a concert, yet the Troc at least is in a cool neighborhood. The security here will probably man-rape you whilst breathing from the mouth...a true feat. "Whats this...a pen?!?! In your uni-form?!?!" In the trash it goes. But...I like to write stuff down. "And STAB people!!!!" I am not making this up.
Parking? Well, there is a lot that would satisfy about half of the staff on a slow night, otherwise, you get to pay an ever-shifting amount to park on what appears to be a public street/alley/lot/toxic dump around the venue. You get to polish your street cred, at least...toss the bum/security guard a few bucks when you park, and promise to toss even more when you get back so long as your car is still in one piece (and make sure you follow through...bums are like elephants when it comes to remembering things). Hey, it works.
Ok, you make it inside. If the show skews more towards an "adult" audience, make sure you show up several hours early so you can get a good spot upstairs. Otherwise, hang out downstairs with the kids. The balcony gets very, very crowded for certain acts, the bar can't keep up, and the bouncers don't help (why, these are up-goin' stairs, not down-goin' stairs...can't you tell the difference?).
Sound...sound??? Put a boombox inside of a heating duct and blast it...you have just been to a concert at the Electric Factory. It always, always sucks. Always. I saw the Mr. Show...show here, which had no music, and the sound still sucked. How does this happen? You simply need a mic that doesn't a-splode when spoken into. Didn't happen. It boggles the mind. A gang of stray cats could run a better venue.
I truly hate this place and everything about it. I would normally not waste any time writing about it, but I figured I'd play a little game...I dropped a reference to the last band I ever saw (and will ever see) somewhere in my rantings...name them and you win scene points. Now, excuse me...I'm going to rent a helicopter just so I can pee on this dump.
yep, worst venue in the city. horrible sound. THE WORST SETUP EVER - how can every seat in the house be a bad view? hate the bar area. hate the line to get into the bar area. the security staff stick fingers where others don't. the parking attendants are total assholes.
while i will never skip seeing my favorite bands anywhere, i will skip my "maybe" bands based on crappy venue selection.
Having lived in the Delaware Valley my whole life, I'm almost disappointed for having only been to the Factory twice. My first time, about a decade ago, was for something called Scrapplefest that I hope beyond hope has long since been killed. My second time was this past September to see an excellent show put on by The Mars Volta. (Those of you who have read my review of the TLA will notice a trend here)
I've already mentioned in that other review that things like crowd factor and volume don't bother me at live shows.
There is one thing about the Factory that does bug me and it is stopping me from giving it 5 stars and declaring it a Philadelphian treasure: the design.
I'm not speaking of aesthetics here. When I went in September, it was my 21st birthday, and I wanted to drink. By the time I got situated, I was as far right on the upper balcony as I could be. Tragically, one of the main speakers was hung directly in front of my seat, the last open one in the building. Everything still sounded amazing, but if you know anything about this band in particular, you know they are very much worth watching as well as listening to.
It's a minor disappointment, but it's disappointing enough nonetheless. Sorry factory, but the TLA is just more Philly.
3.5 stars but I rated down and you shall see why:
I went to go see Seether, Flyleaf, and Red last night. I've really been looking forward to this concert for the past two weeks so I was quite excited. Finding this place was not a problem since my friend were walking. I was fine with the security, most likely due to the fact that I didn't bring a purse or camera with me.
So security down. Now, to enjoy the concert. As others say, if you are coming here and are over 21, I highly recommend going upstairs to the balcony just for your comfort. My feet got really tired from walking a lot during the day and to the place and from standing, and so I reallly wished I could be 21 and go upstairs. Seriously, those people were very lucky for this concert because they got to rid themselves of the ridiculous mosh pits that formed during Flyleaf (I definitely did not expect that to happen) and the lots of parents and teenagers that complained about overweight people and it being too hot and being too short. Holy jeebus, what do you expect, people??
The prices at the concession stand are not too steep, so if you absolutely need it, then use it. Be wary of sitting on the ground, who knows what happened there. Sound quality is pretty good, just hope the bands have their instruments tuned properly and what not. My nose vibrated throughout the whole concert by standing midway to the stage, so you may want to bring earplugs. And dress in layers because you don't know how hot or cold it will be inside and outside the venue. Also, if you need cash, there's an ATM inside.
I've been here twice. Once for Ani Difranco, once for some hardcore show (the things I do for my friends...).
At the peaceful Ani show I wanted to punch everyone. At the hardcore show I punched a few people. If you know me, you know that fighting is not really my thing...so it takes a pretty shiteous place to drive me to such things.
Bleh.
You know it's pretty bad when your favorite band plays there and you are literally ten minutes away and you won't go. It's overcrowded, the staff is rude, and the sound is terrible. I like the concept of having the upstairs open for 21+, but all that's really done in this particular instance is make it unbelievably packed to the gills upstairs with lots of rowdy drunk people. I suppose watching wasted people can sometimes make one forget about the lousy sound system... so, um, yay?
Unfortunately, the older I get, the more I dislike the Electric Factory. If you get a stool upstairs at the bar or a table at the bar downstairs, it can be a good experience. Otherwise, prepare to feel uncomfortable and annoyed that you can't see the band on stage. The sound is horrible wherever you are though. Last time I was there, the staff was horrible. I had no intention of taking pictures, but I forgot my camera was in my bag. I had to beg security to let me in, which they finally did. After that, I got my hand stamped and went upstairs. There was some confusion between my friends about where we going to stand and my foot accidentally touched the step. The security guy yelled at me and asked to see my stamp AGAIN even though I just showed it to him about two seconds before. Ridiculous.
Ah my love-hate relationship continues.
This is a quirky little venue with a great ambiance for industrial/electronica shows. It comprises mostly of the general admission standing room but the small size of the venue allows for good views of the band even from the balcony.
I would like to give 2.5 stars but rounded down instead because the accoustics suck. The drinks are pricey as well. The parking in the attached lot is very limited and street parking goes very fast especially when big name bands play here. Over-all I have been to better small venues with better accoustics in other cities. Yes Pittsburg I am looking at you.
Saw Rancid.
I can corraborate with others' opinions on the sound quality, especially from the balcony or whatever it's called. I watched opening band from 2nd floor and main attraction from the first floor in a 21-and-over holding pen next to the all ages area. Mosh pit? Not allowed according to all the signs, but a Rancid show without a pit is like a jelly donut without jelly.
Two stars instead of one for the venue because the toilets worked and there weren't long lines for the ladies', amenities which beat the TLA. [clarification - I only used the 21+ ladies' room on the second floor, and when you're drinking a lot...well, you know. This is important.]
I will definitely not see bands here again unless I have no choice when another favorite comes to town. Come on, though, do bands really like to play here??
It's a good place for Clear Channel concerts to make loads of money off of idiots--like me. The sound is horrid due to the fact that they didn't really do a good job converting it from a warehouse. There's still painted over windows on the roof!!!!
BUT since I'm not a taper and I go to concerts to have fun, I tend to be ok in the place. I've seen a bunch of shows here that I would have rather seen at the TLA but still had a fun time.
I have been to the electric factory for more shows than i can even remember. it's actually rather shameful that i have been here so much.
but...
it gets 4 stars for nitrous alley alone. sure, the venue has bad sound, gross bathrooms and rocks some of the meanest, most overzealous and all around asshole-ish security around, but how can you deny hippies and guidos battling to sell hippie crack to drunken kids with too much money!
5 dollar fatties kids. ice cold.
Not so bad, but then again I am not here often or have to go here ofter.
The sound was what is expected from a venue this size. High ceilings and lots of concrete is never a friend to the sound of a band.
Drinks also were as expected for a show, maybe even a little less. I gave up years ago on expecting cheap drinks at a music venue, but if I can get a beer for under $5 I am happy.
I did find the staff pretty friendly and helpful. Not overly so but answered my questions and took my id, even smiled a couple of times.
Not sure how soon I will be back, it IS over 300 miles away. But you never know.
I'm a supporter of the arts and live entertainment, and had the opportunity to see Animal Collective at the Electric Factory. This was my first show there (oh, and my first concert EVER), and it won't be the last. (For parking, look for street parking first, especially on a weeknight.)
Ventilation at the Factory was adequate, thanks to fans and a high ceiling, but at times I think I smelled pot smoke. Liked the venue lighting and the synchronized roboto light effects above the stage.
The crowd was somewhat younger, with older folks in the 21-and-over upstairs bar area overlooking the floor. Noticed an annoying, probably chemical-influenced, and definitely horny couple that really needed to get a room.
The performance was an odd experience - whoever classified Animal Collective as "experimental" wasn't kidding! I heard a variety of atypical musical compositions: some styles I couldn't get into, but others I found strangely hypnotic. Can't vouch for the audio quality, but my fellow concert-goer said the sound system might not have been set up correctly since we were having a hard time understanding what the performers were saying/singing. Then again, it could have just stunk.
I understand why people are killing this venue. It's big, uncomfortable, somewhat poor acoustics.
But I give it three stars because:
1) Lots of acts I like play here.
2) It's relatively cheap.
3) It's not in Camden, so I can get there via public transportation.
All bonuses for me. I prefer going to some other venues, but I certainly won't hold back from an EF show.
Note: standing room only, upstairs bar has limited seating.
Hello, and welcome to the worst concert venue in North America. I've never been anywhere else in my life where the sound quality is better outside the venue than in.
Love it or loathe it, if you want to see a band in Philadelphia that has a decent sized following but don't want to end up spending $100 for a ticket at the Wachovia, then the Electric Factory is where you are going to end up.
If you want to drink and be able to see the band, make sure to get there early so that you can grab a good spot on the balcony, otherwise you will find yourself with a great view of a small TV.
Whilst I agree with the policy just so younger music fans can go and see their favourite bands (I would have been pretty pissed off not to be able to go to venues when I was 14 back in the UK), it does seem to often rob the main crowd area of any atmosphere. When I saw the Kaiser Chiefs, the balcony was absolutely rocking but no one on the floor was doing anything more than standing there.
On the subject of acoustics, I can't say I have ever been particularly disappointed. Maybe its from growing up listening to my favourite bands in shit music venues. Lets face it, music venues are all about charging you lots of money for beer and not giving you much back in terms of venue quality. That was certainly always the way in England and apart from the Kimmel Center, I can't say I have found anywhere else in Philadelphia that doesn't do the same (and with the Kimmel you are back into the $60+ price range).
My only major drawback is the over zealous bouncers. My girlfriend was treated like a terrorist because she tried to get in with an umbrella on a night where it rained heavily and continuously.
So, all in all, a decent venue. I would certainly never boycott a show because it was here.
Awful acoustics!!! I saw Tv on the Radio here- tons of reverb which sounded super muddled at the Electric Factory. It was hard to discern the singer's voice from the guitar. They need to invest in some better insulation for the roof or something to improve the acoustics in here. Sounds much better from the floor, but still disappointing. But I guess I don't have much of a choice. If a band I like is playing here I'll still see them...
It was years ago that I found myself dropped off excitedly for a 3 Doors Down concert here. Don't judge, it was high school. Even then, at the age of 14 or 15, I had an intuitive sense of the many lamewads looming upstairs around the balcony / bar. Then again, Philly has never cut it for me.
Seether opened, and if you have any idea what grungy sort of derivative sound they play, then you will understand when I say the Electric Factory was well suited for them. Still, I had fun.
The venue's not huge and not so easy to drive to when you've never been there.
This place is just like the TLA, only bigger and less dank.
Take that for what it's worth.
It, too, has an upstairs and downstairs bar. And since it's in Philadelphia and it's a venue, it has a balcony. I always get a kick out of the bleachers. Like music needs a cheering section. "Goooo Music!"
I wasn't really blown away from this place, really. Nothing made it stand out nor would I particularly want to go see a show there for that fact, as opposed to Johnny Brendas.
I went here maybe 3 years ago or more to see the Dropkick Murphys and Stiff Little Fingers. DKM was soundin pretty far from their heyday in the mid to late 90s, their best song being a cover of "Baba O'Reilly" which was pretty great. I was more impressed by SLF who did a good job considering how long it had been since they last toured.
Anyhow, most of the reviews here criticizing the acoustics are pretty accurate-- and if you can tell at a punk show, it's pretty bad.
One of my main gripes with this places, is due to the fact they often host all-ages shows the drinking is strictly segregated to the balcony. Which is cool if you wanna lean over the balcony and get a good view of the band while relaxing with a beer-- but maybe you don't. Maybe you wanna have a couple of beers in a plastic cup, toss the cup then go near the stage to dance, pogo, mosh whatever and get back to drinking later when the band plays a shitty song or between the opening band and the headliners.
Well, that's not a good option here. First you have to fight your way up the stairs, hover like a hawk waiting to strike when a bartender comes by to get your drink in with all the other people waiting, drink your drink, go back down the stairs, fight your way through the crowd to near the stage. Then if you want another beer, you gotta go through it all again. So if you're over 21 and you want to be near the stage or dance, I'd suggest not even bothering to drink there. There's always Whiskey Dix round the corner before or after the show. Come on-- you can go without that beer til the music's done. If I can do it, you can too. I believe in you.
Generally, though I had a good time and met a ridiculously cute girl at the show (unfortunately developed a pounding headache later and had to leave early which is a shame, because there was a neo-Nazi at the show I was looking forward to "encountering" later), so for the memories factor, I'll give it 3 stars.
In the end though, these ratings don't matter much b/c if your favorite band comes through Philly, there's a damn good chance they'll be playing here and nowhere else so you won't have much choice.
Ugh, my least favorite place in all of Philadelphia to see live music. Ok, the place is HUGE, which is nice. So if there aren't too many people at the show, you don't feel all squeezed in like you may at some smaller venues. But after seeing three shows here of various music styles, what I can definitely say is that this place has the worst acoustics EVER. No matter how good the band is, they're gonna sound like shit. And it won't sound good, no matter where you stand - downstairs right in front, downstairs in the back, or upstairs. You can only drink upstairs, and you'll be pushing your way around with all the other people who can't wait to get wasted. One good thing about this place is that they have snacks! So at least you can get your nachos on while watching one of your favorite bands sound awful.
I saw Regina Spektor here in September 2006. We took the subway to Spring Garden, but I must echo the other reviewers - do not park in the EF's lot. There's lot of street parking nearby, and apparently the parking lot attendants were terrible and abrasive after the concert. The Spring Garden stop on the Market-Frankford line is a mere four blocks away.
I didn't think the sound was all that bad. The drinks, however, were ridiculously overpriced and while they say they prohibit cameras, I saw plenty of people who managed to slip one in. The bathrooms were gross, but the upstairs 21+ area was decent. I was down in the pit for the main show. It's not the best venue for live music in Philly, but I'd go back.
Updated 4/17: Last week, I went to the Lily Allen/The Bird and The Bee show, and finally experienced the awful sound problems that many other Yelpers have pointed out. Inara George (lead singer of The Bird and The Bee) could barely get through her set without stopping after each song to converse with the sound guy. She later attributed this to lack of soundcheck, but it was still abysmal.
