3rd Space Turns unexpected rooms — dumpling shops, heliports, laundromats — into concerts

# What 3rd Space is doing 3rd Space is producing live-music events in venues you wouldn't usually associate with concerts: dim sum lounges, dumpling shops, a midtown Manhattan heliport, laundromats, a record store, even an underground soccer facility. The company builds each event's concept around the venue so the setting becomes part of the audience's experience.

# Why unconventional venues Spencer Papandrea, 3rd Space's founder, says standard club spaces can start to feel the same. By placing shows in distinctive locations, the events encourage people to be more present and less glued to their phones. That approach is aimed at changing audience behavior — more engagement, more dancing, and a stronger sense of moment — by making the entire night feel bespoke.

# How they choose venues and lineups

Lineup selection is driven by what the team finds exciting in the local scene. They look for new microgenres and artists that resonate with the curators. Sometimes artists reach out directly and are booked if their music fits the concept.

# Production and logistics Producing these shows involves a few consistent steps:

• Concepting: Papandrea and his creative lead shape the event around the venue's feel and limitations. They curate the lineup to match that concept.
• Operations: Staffing, equipment, sound setup, and any venue-specific safety or access needs are handled case-by-case. Nontraditional sites like helipads or laundromats often require more negotiation and logistical planning.

Restaurants are generally easier to secure than truly unusual sites but often cost more because the owner is renting out a revenue-generating space during prime hours.

• Punk at a dumpling restaurant: a gritty space matched with aggressive, high-energy music.
• Asian underground at a dim sum lounge: collaborated with Ginseng Museum and served Chinese food to match the performers.
• Electronic/IDM at a heliport: left-field electronic music chosen to fit the open, industrial setting.
• Soccer facility show: scheduled alongside live matches (World Cup) to layer experiences.

# Practical takeaway for venue managers and musicians If you're a venue owner, consider what parts of your space could create a distinct concert experience and whether you can simplify service for a private event. If you're a musician, emphasize how your set fits a unique location — that alignment increases chances of being booked. 3rd Space succeeds by matching musical programming to place and by handling logistics so the venue's character becomes a selling point rather than a complication.