Just Irving

Another Fillmore has returned to its heritage name. Like the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, which was the Fillmore at TLA until it returned to its old moniker in 2008, New York now has its Irving Plaza back.

Irving Plaza – aka the burdensome Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza – was one of many Live Nation-owned venues that became part of a an effort to turn San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore theatre into a nationwide brand. The Taking Back Sunday show on June 23 will be the first using the old name. A new marquee is expected to be included in the shift.

Members of the concert industry have been telling the press that the Fillmore expansion has been a mixed blessing because many consider it an intrusion on local heritage. When the TLA dropped the Fillmore association, a local newsman called it “one small victory for local tradition.”

Irving Plaza’s name change appears to be isolated. The Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, the Fillmore Charlotte and Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theatre remain unchanged. However, the Florida venue is facing a financial crunch. There is also a Fillmore planned for Silver Spring, Md.