tvg’s Shocking New Venue: Introducing Pacific Electric

The latest tvg venue Pacific Electric is powered by passion.

The 750-capacity music room is scheduled to open this fall in the historic Naud Warehouse, where Mission Junction meets Chinatown in Los Angeles. The project adds another venue to tvg’s growing portfolio of music spaces in the UK and United States.

Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur and Grammy winning musician Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons, tvg was built on a vision of combining the best of live entertainment and hospitality.

The company specializes in the development, design and operation of venues that combine modern technology with local character. tvg has owned and created acclaimed London venues Omeara and Lafayette along with ownership of London’s West End institution The Social. Current venues include the Orion Amphitheater, Lumberyard and Saturn in Alabama with several projects underway in key markets across the U.S.

The name, Pacific Electric, pays homage to the company that operated the Los Angeles “Red Cars” and the working-class history of the surrounding neighborhood where Southern Pacific Railroad trains veered off toward Alhambra Avenue and the Los Angeles River.

“We really liked how it brought some of that history,” Lovett explained of the location. “We carry that through and thought maybe we could keep it from fading away into obscurity. It’s kind of a nod and a celebration and maybe it will transport people in a different way.”

Fueled by Lovett’s passion for community and live entertainment, the amped warehouse space will offer touring pros premium production including state-of-the-art audio system and dynamic lighting as well as fan-friendly sightlines.

Industry veteran Stacey Levine joined the team in September as senior general manager. Levine’s experience includes leading The Theatre at Ace Hotel, The Wiltern and the reopening of the Hollywood Palladium.

“I got into this business for the love of live music – the energy, the anticipation and the connection between fans and artists; all feeling a song together, in their own way,” Levine said. “The collaboration to create an unforgettable show is what drives me, and that’s exactly the experience we’re building at Pacific Electric. I couldn’t be more excited to open our doors and continue to contribute to L.A.’s vibrant music community.”

Lovett added, “Stacey has given her life to this industry in an unsung-hero way. “The more I talked to her, the more I learned about her, I was like, ‘Wow, here’s another legend who’s not really seeking the spotlight.’ She does the work and does it with care and passion and detail.”

The venue’s programming will be universal, including concerts from all genres, underplays and club nights programmed in partnership with independent promoters. The venue will also focus on community engagement with cultural events and local talent with a goal of making Pacific Electric a hub that celebrates the city.

“There are all these cute little bars and restaurants popping up,” said Levine of the evolving neighborhood. “I feel like we’re going to bring a whole new demographic, a whole new group of people to this area and that it’s just going to explode. It just feels like it’s right on the precipice.”

Levine thinks the 750-capacity is a good fit for the L.A. live market.

“It’s the jumping off point,” she explained. “It’s where the artist is about to do the biggest show they’ve ever done and go on to the next level from there. And for the fan who’s been watching them since they were playing for 20 people in a club, now they’re getting to see their favorite band jump to the next level. So, it’s a very energetic capacity.”

In a town driven by celebrity, Pacific Electric is focused on hospitality.

“I don’t think of it as VIP, but more of hospitality,” Levine said. “We’re in L.A., there are lots of industry folks in town and we’re going to take good care of them when they come to see a show – and the fans as well. But I consider everybody to be a VIP. They’re spending their hard-earned money to come to a show and I want them to have a great experience.”

Lovett helming the tvg project has been beneficial for the venue, according to Levine.

“It’s been really well thought out and very intentional,” she said. “I’ve been a venue operator for a very long time, but I’ve never been a touring artist and so it’s great to hear what a touring artist wants and needs. And we’re doing our best to make people feel like they’re at home – or at a really nice hotel – when they come to play with us.”