The Bomb Factory

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In 1914, Henry Ford acquired the site for one of his first automobile assembly plants. The plant, along with the present day Adam Hats building, remained in the 2700 block of Williams Street (now known as Canton Street) until the 1930s.[http://deepellumtexas.com/history/ "The History of Deep Ellum"] deepellumtexas.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016.

When World War II began, Ford was pushed to help the United States gear up for war. The manufacturing of automobiles ceased, as the production of jeeps, practice bombs, and ammunition for the war effort started under the new company name Mayhew Machine and Engineering Works. With an impending economic recession, the factory closed in the 1970s.Advocate Staff (June 1, 1998). [http://lakewood.advocatemag.com/1998/06/01/ford-influence/ "Ford assembly plant in East Dallas" | Advocate Lakewood/East Dallas] lakewood.advocatemag.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.

In the early 1990s, Deep Ellum attracted industrial developments, commercial storefronts, and early musical cultures such as jazz and blues. The Bomb Factory resurfaced as one of the largest music venues in the area.

The Bomb Factory opened its doors as a music venue in 1993 and hosted acts including Ramones,[http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/ramones/1994/bomb-factory-dallas-tx-3bd5309c.html "Ramones Setlist at Bomb Factory"] www.setlist.fm. Retrieved May 25, 2016. Sonic Youth[http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/sonic-youth/1995/bomb-factory-dallas-tx-63d3c25b.html "Sonic Youth Setlist at Bomb Factory"] www.setlist.fm. Retrieved May 25, 2016. and Phish, whose "Tweezerfest" performance at the Bomb Factory in 1994 has since become a fan favorite.[http://phish.net/setlists/?d=1994-05-07/ "Saturday May 07, 1994 at The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX"] www.phish.net. Retrieved May 25, 2016. The Bomb Factory also had acts including Megadeth, Korn, Fugees, Black Sabbath, Rage Against the Machine, Fugazi, INXS, Marilyn Manson, Tool, Motörhead, Nine Inch Nails, Slayer and the Dave Matthews Band during its initial run as a venue.Wood, Matt (March 26, 2015). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/remembering-the-bomb-factorys-original-run-with-the-dallas-observer-archives-7063176/ "Remembering The Bomb Factory's Original Run With the Dallas Observer Archives | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-06-07.

On August 9, 1995, the first ever run of the Warped Tour held a Dallas concert in the parking lot of the Bomb Factory. L7, Sublime, and Quicksand headlined the event with support from No Use for a Name, Sick of It All, Fluf, Seaweed, and Tilt.[http://www.last.fm/festival/3291177+Warped+Tour/ "Warped Tour | Last.fm"] Retrieved June 7, 2016.

Toward the end of the decade Deep Ellum took another downturn, forcing many venues and businesses to shutter its doors. The venue closed in 1997.Pask, Kevin (October 30, 2007). [http://southernspaces.org/2007/deep-ellum-blues/ "Deep Ellum Blues"] Southern Spaces. Retrieved 2016-05-25.

In November 2013, Westdale Asset Management announced it would be resurrecting the Bomb Factory after 15 years. The multimillion-dollar project detailed plans for a complete renovation of the space, including air conditioning, the installation of mezzanine seating, eight VIP suites, a centered stage with unobstructed views, a raised roof, and state-of-the-art lights and sound systems. Additionally, the renovation plans for backstage featured four green rooms with laundry and shower facilities.Pete (January 20, 2015). [http://centraltrack.com/Music/6464/Dropping-Bombs/The-Bomb-Factory-Will-Be-Open-For-Business-In-Late-March-And-A-Parking-Garage-Is-Coming-With-It/ "Dropping Bombs | Central Track"] www.centraltrack.com. Retrieved 2016-06-07. On March 26, 2015, the Bomb Factory opened its doors to the public with a sold-out grand opening concert, headlined by Erykah Badu with support from singer/songwriter Sarah Jaffe.Macon, Alex (March 28, 2016). [http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2015/03/bomb-factory-erykah-badu-rocks-the-grand-opening-of-deep-ellums-huge-new-venue/ "Bombs Away: Erykah Badu Rocks the Grand Opening of Dallas' Game-Changing New Music Venue | D Magazine"]. Retrieved 2016-06-07.

Since its grand opening, the 48,000-square-foot venue has had acts including the Lumineers,Martinez, Matthew (May 23, 2016). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-lumineers-brought-a-perfect-date-night-singalong-to-the-bomb-factory-8325639/ "The Lumineers Brought a Perfect Date-Night Singalong to The Bomb Factory | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25. Sturgill Simpson, Robert Plant, Disclosure, Don Henley, Future, D'Angelo, Brand New, Hardwell, Chvrches, and Lauryn Hill.Lockhart, Kristin (May 5, 2016). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/ms-lauryn-hill-played-by-her-own-rules-at-the-bomb-factory-8276738/ "Ms. Lauryn Hill Played By Her Own Rules at The Bomb Factory | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25. It has held events including the Elm Street Music and Tattoo Festival,[http://www.guidelive.com/things-to-do/262096/elm-street-music-and-tattoo-festival-bomb-factory-dallas/ "Elm Street Music and Tattoo Festival at Bomb Factory | Dallas News"] www.guidelive.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016. as well as corporate events for Jaguar, Raising Cane's, the Dallas Observer and other companies.[http://www.dallasweekly.com/calendar/community_events/event_9079838c-c9d0-11e5-bd08-0f324ff61e01.html/ "Jaguar: The Art of Performance Tour, Dallas | The Dallas Weekly"] www.dallasweekly.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016.Gage, Jeff (November 9, 2015). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/come-to-the-dallas-observer-music-awards-ceremony-and-join-the-27-club-7755080/ "Come to the Dallas Observer Music Awards Ceremony and Join the 27 Club | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.

In addition to booking live music, festivals, conventions, and private events, the Bomb Factory frequently hosts boxing and mixed martial arts events. On November 28, 2015, the Bomb Factory hosted the Premier Boxing Champions Super Welterweight World Championship, which was televised on NBC. Jermall Charlo and Wilky Campfort were the title fighters.Round by Round Boxing (November 24, 2015). [http://roundbyroundboxing.com/pbc-on-nbc-charlo-vs-campfort-camp-update/ "PBC on NBC: Charlo vs. Campfort Camp update"] www.roundbyroundboxing.com. Retrieved 2016-06-07.

On October 31, 2017, Westdale Asset Management, reopened neighboring Deep Ellum Live as Canton Hall,{{cite web|url=http://jackontheweb.cbslocal.com/2017/08/07/deep-ellum-live-to-reopen-as-canton-hall-this-october/|title=Deep Ellum Live To Reopen As Canton Hall This October|website=Jackontheweb.cbslocal.com|access-date=October 7, 2017}} an indoor music venue capable of holding up to 1,100 people.{{cite web|url=https://www.guidelive.com/music/2017/12/19/former-music-venue-deep-ellum-live-gets-new-life-new-name-canton-hall|title=Former music venue Deep Ellum Live gets new life, new name: Canton Hall|date=December 19, 2017}} On July 12, 2021, the Bomb Factory was renamed the Factory in Deep Ellum. The Factory in Deep Ellum regained The Bomb Factory name on March 3, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=By Tim |date=2025-03-11 |title=The Bomb Factory is back! |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/micropost/the-bomb-factory-is-back/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=D Magazine |language=en-US}}

• The venue's sold-out March 2015 grand opening was headlined by Erykah Badu with support from Sarah Jaffe, both Dallas natives.
• In October 2015, Dallas hip hop legend The D.O.C. performed at the Bomb Factory for his first performance since his near-fatal car accident 20 years ago.Rushing, Brenna (October 18, 2015). [http://www.guidelive.com/music/2015/10/18/doc-makes-rapping-return-bomb-factory-celebration/ "The D.O.C. makes his rapping return at Bomb Factory celebration | GuideLive"] www.guidelive.com. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
• The Bomb Factory hosted the second annual Rageville Music Fest on October 30, 2015, headlined by Future.Galicia, Mikel (November 2, 2016). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/future-was-the-savior-of-ragevilles-second-coming-at-the-bomb-factory-7739750/ "Future Was the Savior of Rageville's Second Coming at The Bomb Factory | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-31. The festival also featured performances by Paper Diamond, 12th Planet, AraabMuzik, and Keith Ape.
• On Tuesday, March 15, 2016, Robert Plant and his band, the Sensational Shapeshifters, performed at the Bomb Factory, with support from The Sonics. Plant performed songs from both his solo work and his time in Led Zeppelin.Raggio, Eva (March 16, 2016). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/robert-plant-was-rock-n-rolls-storytelling-man-of-the-world-at-the-bomb-factory-8129244/ "Robert Plant Was Rock 'N' Roll's Storytelling Man of the World at The Bomb Factory | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25).
• On March 29, 2016, the Dallas Mavericks hosted a Ludacris concert at the Bomb Factory, the first concert promoted by the team's event company, Another Mavericks Production.Ahmadi, Arya (February 18, 2016). [http://www.mavs.com/another-mavericks-production-presents-ludacris/ "Another Mavericks Production presents Ludacris"] www.mavs.com. Retrieved 2016-05-31. Dallas hip hop artists Cure for Paranoia, Bobby Sessions, and -topic were the support. During -topic's set, Leon Bridges, who is from Dallas, briefly joined the rapper onstage.Galicia, Mikel (March 30, 2016). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/mark-cuban-and-the-mavs-took-over-the-ludacris-show-at-the-bomb-factory-8170958/ "Mark Cuban and The Mavs Took Over the Ludacris Show at The Bomb Factory | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
• Don Henley performed at the Bomb Factory on April 29, 2016, for the annual ESD Gala, a private benefit for the Episcopal School of Dallas.Episcopal School of Dallas (April 25, 2016). [http://www.esdallas.org/page.cfm?p=3096&newsid=3786/ "Don Henley to Perform at ESD GALA 2016"] www.esdallas.org. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
• On August 11, 2016, Mark Cuban's network, AXS TV, launched a five-week concert series featuring performances by The Monkees, Bret Michaels, KC and the Sunshine Band and Bad Company. The Monkees celebrated their 50th anniversary with the show, which was free to attend and filled to capacity.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

• Dallas Observer Music Awards, Best New Music Venue – 2015Gage, Jeff (December 9, 2015). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-2015-dallas-observer-music-awards-winners-7842172/ "The 2015 Dallas Observer Music Awards Winners | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
• D Magazine Best of Big D, Best Local Music Venue – 2015[http://interactive.dmagazine.com/content/the-best-of-big-d-2015/ "The Best of Big D 2015 | D Magazine"] interactive.dmagazine.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
• Dallas Observer: The 5 Best New Concert Venues in Dallas/Fort Worth – 2015Falcon, Jaime-Paul (November 24, 2015). [http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-5-best-new-music-venues-in-dallas-fort-worth-in-2015-7799662/ "The 5 Best New Music Venues in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2015 | Dallas Observer"] www.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
• Consequence of Sound: The 100 Greatest American Music Venues, #86 – 2016CoS Staff (April 29, 2016). [https://consequence.net/2016/04/the-100-greatest-american-music-venues/2/ "The 100 Greatest American Music Venues | Consequence of Sound"] consequence.net. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
• Dallas Observer Music Awards, Best Music Venue (over 500 capacity) – 2016{{Cite news|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/the-2016-dallas-observer-music-awards-winners-8959388|title=The 2016 Dallas Observer Music Awards Winners|last=Gage|first=Jeff|date=December 7, 2016|work=Dallas Observer|access-date=March 17, 2017}}
• D Magazine Best of Big D, Best Live Music Venue – 2016{{cite web|url=http://interactive.dmagazine.com/content/best-of-big-d-2016/best-live-music-venue/|title=Best Live Music Venue – Best of Big D 2016|website=D Magazine|access-date=October 7, 2017}}

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