Finding a sense of community in college can be tough, but if you’re like me and enjoy a more creative atmosphere, then the Philly DIY scene might be for you. Philly DIY is a subculture of young artists who share, collaborate, and perform their art taking place in unconventional places. All forms of art are celebrated here, as the live, experimental music comes in an array of genres all under the alternative umbrella. Philly DIY’s culture plays an important role in many people’s lives as college kids and young people all around the city can find a sense of community through the shared love of art and music. Come learn a little about this community, and maybe like me, you’ll fall in love with this fantastic world of self-expression!
Who Runs the Scene?
To get to know the scene you should know who puts everything together: Collectives are groups of like-minded people who are practically the backbone of DIY. Their responsibilities vary from group to group as many have unique roles and personal goals within the scene. Some collectives such as Ratpie Friends focus on photography and act as an independent press, while others like The Machine organize house shows, book venues and artists to perform at, and even perform themselves. Anyone could start a collective, that’s the beauty of DIY, but it is a lot of work to consider. To be a successful collective in this fast-paced, constantly evolving city, you need a goal, a determined group of people, and the energy to make it happen.
House Shows
House shows are exactly what they sound like- music performances that take place in people’s houses. Mostly occurring in basements or the occasional backyard, these unconventional concerts allow artists to share their music with the community in an up close and personal way. With a much lower entrance fee compared to a typical concert, ranging anywhere from $5-$15, and the convenience of living close to the venues, house shows are a great way of meeting people and expanding your view of the art scene.
Art Marts
With the warm weather back in motion, outdoor art marts are starting to pop back up around Philly. The Block behind James. S Whitehall, aka The Stoop, is one of the most popular outdoor venues in the Temple area, working as both an art mart venue by day and an outdoor performance venue by night. There really is no limit to what people sell; some vend photography prints, paintings, and homemade jewelry, while others sell treats and handcrafted clothing items. Experiencing art marts around Temple and all throughout Philadelphia are experiences that really make you appreciate the love and hard work people put into what they are passionate about!
Temple’s Role
The area around Temple University is a major player in the DIY scene. Temple’s student body is jam-packed with a lot of creative individuals, so it’s no wonder the surrounding area is constantly flooded with events and shows of all kinds. The Mansion, Grouvier, and Over Yonder, are some of the more popular venues located right in Temple’s backyard. Many of the popular bands such as Jet Fuel Soda, Dead Love Triangle, and Wallace Tonight! reside in Temple’s surrounding area.
So how do I get there?
Most people stick to the same rotation of social media accounts to stay in the know of what’s happening in the scene. @Houseshowphilly is one of the biggest Instagram accounts in Philly DIY that’s the main hub for finding most shows and events in Philadelphia. The account posts a spread of collective’s and band’s upcoming show flyers every Wednesday for that weekend, so people will be able to know a few days in advance when something is taking place.
All in all, the DIY scene is a unique part of Philadelphia’s artistic culture and the artists who work extremely hard to maintain a safe and welcoming environment are essential to its well-being. Without them, none of it would be possible! Finding this community through the shared love of music and art is such a cool way of experiencing the unique culture of Philadelphia, and I encourage you to experience it at some point during your Philly experience.