The Los Angeles-based company SaveLive has announced it is opening a new concert venue in Buffalo titled Electric City, at the former site of the Tralf Music Hall. Many are pleased with the prospect of a new venue, but some are worrisome about an outsider corporation coming in and taking over this historic venue.
The Tralf Music Hall opened in 1982 at 622 Main St, next to Shea’s Performing Arts Center, closing for good in 2022. The new Electric City venue, opening February 23, has a capacity of 750, with a few bars to the right and left when you walk in, and a stage in the back. It will also include a mezzanine level for an added VIP experience. Completely reimagining the old venue, it will include state-of-the-art equipment and is a nod to Buffalo’s role in the early use of hydroelectricity.
“There is really a demand for more shows, more music,” Marketing Manager Michele Riggi told WIVB. “So, we’re really looking forward to that. In our opinion, a rising tide raises all ships. So, if we can bring more venues to the area, bring more opportunity for artists to play, more tours will stop here.”
On the other hand, Buffalo music journalist Jeff Miers feels that bringing new venues to the equation might not be a good thing.
The Buffalo music scene is already saturated with venues that each have their own unique offering, at an independent level. These venues include The Town Ballroom, just down the street from Electric City, offering a rich diet of EDM, indie and alternative, hip-hop, and more, Rec Room with indie-focused acts, Mohawk Place with metal and rock, Iron Works with jam bands and up-and-comers, and more. The question Miers asks in his article is “What vacant niche is SaveLive hoping to fill with its new venture?”
SaveLive was co-founded by Marc Geiger, former global leader of the William Morris Endeavor Music Division from 2003 until 2020, and co-founder of Lollapalooza. The company began by seeking to acquire 51% ownership of financially hard-pressed independent music venues after the pandemic began. This Buffalo venture is the first venue the company has redone from the ground up.
While much of the local press is overall speaking positively about the buyout, Miers’ article focuses on how the independent venues that did not compete with one another now have this layer of competition, having to go against a corporate venue. Some pros of this venue are that more acts that may not be seen at the other venues in Buffalo may be booked, bringing more visitors to the area.
Whichever box you fall into, this new venue will arrive in February with new music and a revamped venue. Hopefully, Electric City doesn’t push out other iconic venues in the area and brings in more exciting acts to the area.
Different opening concerts at Electric City have been announced, including DJ James Kennedy on Feb. 23, Meshell Ndegeocello on March 12, Hippie Sabotage on April 17, Living Colour on May 16, and Echo & the Bunnymen on May 22. Also announced were Sammy Rae and the Friends on March 10, Kitchen Dwellers on April 3, Yachtley Crew on April 11, Larry Fleet on April 13, Dying Fetus on May 5, the Chats on May 7, and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes on May 18.
For more information about Electric City Buffalo and to purchase tickets to upcoming shows, visit here.
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