The Fillmore Philadelphia opens with a bang
There was a light drizzle, but that didn’t prevent couples from nestling close under the light rain to take selfies beneath the giant “The Fillmore” sign, emblazoned in LED lights, illuminating Canal Street in Fishtown. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Hall and Oates had just provided the christening performance at The Fillmore Philadelphia, housed in the old Ajax Metal factory, glamorously upgraded with a vintage and authentic aesthetic.
There was a light drizzle, but that didn't prevent couples from nestling close under the light rain to take selfies beneath the giant "The Fillmore" sign, emblazoned in LED lights, illuminating Canal Street in Fishtown.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Hall and Oates had just provided the christening performance at The Fillmore Philadelphia, housed in the old Ajax Metal factory, glamorously upgraded with a vintage and authentic aesthetic.
There was nothing but happy customers trickling out of the 2,500-cap Live Nation venue, equipped with a main room and a smaller "club within a club," the Foundry, on the building's second floor.
Though doors to the main concert hall didn't open until 7 p.m., the industrial-designed bar in Ajax Hall had plenty of customers. Local beers from Victory, Troegs and Yards were on draft while bites from Wolfgang Puck were the food offerings. A prime pre-show hangout spot, the Fillmore serves as a glossy all-in-one entertainment complex.
But in a neighborhood that boasts smaller clubs like The Barbary and Johnny Brenda's, the question remains how the Fillmore will impact these hangouts.
Sam Webb, who owns Pub Webb just off campus at Temple, doesn't see the new venue from a competitor's standpoint.
"I live by the more the merrier," Webb said. "JBs is in an awesome spot and I'm sure they love it and they'll get more foot traffic."
A sold-out Hall and Oates concert is a strong way to get the ball rolling, and The Fillmore is looking to keep that momentum going with bookings appealing to all ages and tastes with Brandi Carlile (Oct. 11), Joe Walsh (Oct. 12) and Disclosure (Oct. 19-20) on the main stage and The Struts (Oct. 24), Kirko Bangz (Nov. 9) and Ryn Weaver (Nov. 22) at the upstairs Foundry.
Nicole Defazio, who came to the concert with her mother, Margo, made note that show bookings — not venue location — will draw in attendees.
"You're going to attract different crowds of different people at different times," she said.
Her mother agreed. And for them, just the positive experience they'd had this first time was enough to make them likely to return.
"Just being here, you're all ready to look at who's coming in next," she said.
Tony and Linda Acerbo already purchased tickets for Oct. 12's Joe Walsh performance before even stepping foot into The Fillmore — and they're glad they did. The couple would "absolutely" come again.
"We've been to the Electric Factory," Tony said, "but I think this is just right."