Todd Rundgren to Play Inaugural Concert at Newly Re-Named Fillmore Philadelphia

Live Nation Expands Fan-Centric Fillmore Music Venue Concept to Philadelphia
Chris Cornell, Peter Bjorn & John, Air and Amy Winehouse Set to Play The Fillmore Philadelphia in the Coming Months

PHILADELPHIA, March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When doors open to Todd Rundgren's Philadelphia concert on April 27th, fans will notice a difference. Upon entering the venue, there will be fresh apples for hungry live music aficionados and a greeter to let them know about upcoming shows. On top of the significant renovations that the venue underwent last year, hardwood floors are being installed, the walls will be painted a deep red hue and three large chandeliers will shine light on vintage posters, pictures and newspaper articles recounting legendary live music performances. After the show, a collectible poster commemorating the evening will be distributed to concert goers, a tradition that will continue for select shows throughout the year.
To devotees of the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco, one of contemporary music's most respected and enduring live concert venues, these traditions will seem familiar. So while it's no easy task to improve upon the Theatre of Living Arts (TLA), Philadelphia music fans will undoubtedly appreciate the new traditions and aesthetic that will infuse the reconfigured club, which upon Todd Rundgren's christening concert, will be known as The Fillmore Philadelphia.
"The Fillmore is a highly regarded music venue whose impact on music resonates far beyond the walls of the actual building itself," says Bruce Eskowitz, Live Nation's Chief Executive Officer of North American Music. "By adapting some of the Fillmore traditions to such a strong venue, we hope to make the concert experience even better for Philadelphia music fans."
With the launch of The Fillmore Philadelphia and The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, which opens its doors on April 11th, Live Nation hopes to establish a live music brand to complement its 11 House of Blues clubs across the country. Along with the Fillmore San Francisco, Denver's Fillmore Auditorium is one of the company's most successful mid-size venues.
It's fitting that Pennsylvania native son, Todd Rundgren, will open The Fillmore Philadelphia. The Fillmore San Francisco has a rich history of supporting local artists. In the 60s, the venue and its founder, Bill Graham, nurtured the development of many local artists including Grateful Dead, Santana, and Jefferson Airplane. The Fillmore exposed these soon-to-be superstars to thousands of San Francisco music fans, providing the bands with a community venue that played an integral role in launching their careers.
The Theatre of Living Arts, a South Street institution, has been everything from a late night cinema to Counter Culture reparatory theater to, most recently, an acclaimed live music venue. Known to Philadelphians as the TLA, the venue has been a catalyst in the careers of several local Philadelphia artists including The Roots, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and G. Love & Special Sauce. The TLA has also become a major stop for up-and-coming bands and superstar acts for nearly 20 years, with historic shows from Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan, The Arcade Fire, Paul Simon, Jane's Addiction, Justin Timberlake, Radiohead, Nickelback, Norah Jones and John Mayer to name just a few.
"The bottom line is that The Fillmore means something to artists and to fans," said original Fillmore East house manager and longtime Bill Graham associate Jerry Pompili. "It was more than just a building. It was a new concept in the presentation
of Rock 'n' Roll."
A number of highly acclaimed artists are scheduled to play the The Fillmore Philadelphia including Chris Cornell on April 22nd, Peter Bjorn & John on May 3rd, Amy Winehouse on May 6th and Air on May 8th. Doors open at 8pm for the inaugural event at The Fillmore Philadelphia. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 6th.
About Live Nation
Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the
biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues(R) music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London's Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV."

SOURCE Live Nation
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