November 11, 2015

Philadelphia ranked the best city for live music

Analysis of ticket prices, number of concerts put Philly at the top

By Michael Tanenbaum
PhillyVoice Staff

From staples like the Electric Factory, the TLA and the Trocadero to big ticket venues like the Wells Fargo Center and the brand new Fillmore Philly, most music fans in the Delaware Valley would agree Philadelphia is a great place to see concerts.

A new analysis of U.S. cities now supports that favorable rating, naming Philadelphia the top location in the country for live music. VividSeats ranked the top 20 cities in the U.S. and Canada based on factors including the overall number of concerts and the median ticket price for those shows.

Specifically, the analysis found that Philly is a great place for Adult Contemporary, Alternative, Blues & Jazz, Classical, and Country & Folk. The median ticket price to attend these shows was $125, significantly below New York City's median of $185.

The full findings are visualized in the infographic below.

The ranking is certainly encouraging for concertgoers who want to see the biggest acts in the business without breaking the bank. Locally, however, the recent loss of small legacy venues The Legendary Dobbs and North Star Bar is cause for some alarm about the options available to local live bands, who can be seen 5-10 times before paying $125.

Fortunately, the number of great venues in Philadelphia will keep the best musicians coming to town for many years to come.