BY MADALYN BALDANZI

In print | October 5, 2006

A decade ago, the Philadelphia indie music scene was struggling. The only places for upcoming bands to play were large, corporate venues like the TLA and the Electric Factory. Comparing Philly with bigger cities like New York and D.C., many bands would skip Pennsylvania in favor of more suitable venues and higher profile shows on the east coast. Sean Agnew, a young entrepreneur, saw this hole in the Philly music scene and decided to do something about it. He created R5 Productions, a self-described “do-it-yourself show promotions agency,” to fill the gap.

R5 benefits both Philly concertgoers and small but popular bands who might not be big enough to play shows at some of the long-established venues. Perhaps one of the best things about R5 is that you will never pay more than $15 for a show. And unlike some of their larger counterparts, they don’t sell tickets through Ticketmaster, avoiding the ludicrously expensive processing fees. Agnew also keeps the “do-it-yourself” spirit alive by making sure that all of the shows are all ages, providing under-21 music lovers a chance to get out to see their favorite bands.

The laid-back atmosphere of the shows is also characteristically DIY, a vibe that is difficult to find in larger cities these days. There are no security guards separating the artist from their fans. In fact, I’ve been at R5 shows where I’ve been two feet away from Ted Leo, chatted up Conor Oberst at the merch booth and rocked out to the Stars right next to Marty Social, front man for D.C. based Washington Social Club. This atmosphere manifests itself in other ways. For instance, a bottle of water will never cost $5 like it might at bigger venues. And there are no wrist bands if you’re under 21. Agnew has worked hard to create a “for the kids, by the kids” atmosphere.

The small venues are one of the most exciting parts of an R5 concert experience. The First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia is often converted into a space for shows and is only a few blocks away from 30th Street Station. It is an incredibly intimate venue. The stage is only about three feet off the ground, barely separating the performer from the crowd. The juxtaposition of a church with rock music often results in an interesting vibe and many colorful comments from performers. In the past, performers such as Feist and Seu Jorge have played at the Unitarian Church. In New York, you wouldn’t be able to see performers of that magnitude in such a personal setting.

R5 also often hosts shows at the Starlight Ballroom in North Philly. Although it’s a bit of a walk from the closest SEPTA station, the Starlight Ballroom is worth the trip. A converted dance hall, the Ballroom simultaneously channels the auras of a ’70s-style roller-rink and a Japanese karaoke bar. Although larger than the church, the Ballroom also offers an intimate setting and is another excellent alternative to larger, more expensive venues.

Several promising, high profile shows are lined up for R5 this semester. One of the don’t-miss shows is definitely Art Brut on Oct. 10 at the Starlight Ballroom. The night before, they are playing at Irving Plaza in New York, a much larger and less personal venue, making a show at the Starlight Ballroom a treat. Another standout show will be Tilly and the Wall on Oct. 24, also at the Starlight Ballroom. With a tap-dancer instead of a drummer, Tilly and the Wall play lovable pop tunes.

There is an R5 show almost every night, with performers that range from old school punk rock to hip-hop. To find out about all of the bands visit http://www.r5productions.com/shows. Because tickets are inexpensive, R5 shows can be an excellent way to experiment with new music you’ve never listened to before. Rohan Parikh ’09 sums up R5 perfectly: “The tickets are cheap, the crowd is good, and the shows are intimate; it all adds up to a great experience.”

WHERE TO GO

For more information:
http://www.r5productions.com
(267)-765-5210

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