Philadelphia’s newest concert venue, The Met Philly, reopened its doors on Monday evening to a sold-out crowd of 3,500 to see Bob Dylan. The concert was the first to take place in the city’s former Metropolitan Opera House located on North Broad Street since Live Nation and local real estate developer Eric Blumenfeld announced their plans to renovate the old building this past May. On Monday night, with the building’s $56 million renovation now complete, fans entered the Met 2.0 for a 20-song performance by Dylan and his band for a night they probably won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Having been shuttered to the outside world for nearly two decades, the former home to prestigious music and performing arts organizations like the Philadelphia Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera has a new identity, and hopes to welcome fans and artists across all genres to come in and enjoy performances in its historic halls. As seen in some of the images below, the building’s main theater has been converted to accommodate both seated and standing formatted events. In other parts of the old opera house, smaller rooms have been dedicated to becoming more intimate lounges with smaller performance spaces.
“This is one of the greatest projects we have ever been involved with, as well as the most complicated financial structure in my 37- year-career,” Procida Funding’s Billy Procida said in a statement about the reopening. “Coming in ahead of schedule and on budget to restore this grand landmark makes it all the better.”
Procida Funding were one of the key financiers for the project’s enormous budget–although who can put a price on incredible life-changing events? Speaking of financiers, The Grateful Dead‘s Bob Weir and some of his other former bandmates also joined in on becoming investors for the project. Fans should hope to see and hear the guitarist when he presumably makes his debut at the new venue at some point, as his side projects like Wolf Bros make a point to hit the theatre circuit when he’s not headlining stadiums with Dead & Company.
Artists and performers who are currently scheduled to play at The Met Philly later this month include Weezer, Ween, violinist Lindsey Stirling, John Oliver, and Philadelphia’s own Kurt Vile & The Violators, just to name a few.
The Met Philly – Opening Night With Bob Dylan – 12/4/2018
[Video: Jeff Smith]
Ticketing information, as well as a full schedule of upcoming events at The Met Philly, can be found at the venue’s official website.
[Photo: John J. Moser]
[Photo: Jim Sturdivant]
[Photo courtesy of The Met Philly]