UPDATE: After a tremendous amount of public outcry, the Chicago City Council has decided to reconsider and rework the event promoters ordinance. Score!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, Chicago’s City Council will vote on a law that could potentially put an end to Chicago’s vibrant local music scene.
The suggested regulations — which are targeted toward shady, underground event promoters — would also effectively get rid of numerous legitimate promoters who have been putting on shows in the city for years.
Among its myriad other stipulations, the ordinance requires that all event promoters must purchase a license ($500-$2,000 per show), as well as possess $300,000 in general liability insurance. This only applies to shows being held at venues with less than 500 fixed seats — such as the Metro, Schuba’s, the Riveria Theater, the drummer’s basement and so on.
This means that smaller, independent promoters will no longer be able to afford to put on shows. And, if they are able to somehow shoulder these massive fees, ticket prices will rise considerably to cover their extra costs. As well, smaller clubs will doubtlessly find it harder to book shows because of all the additional fees and regulations associated with holding concerts in their buildings.
Image if such a law were passed in Champaign-Urbana: no Canopy Club, no Highdive, no Courtyard, no IMC, no Iron Post, no nothing. Not to mention all the great local artists who would be forced to stop playing or move. I guess the only concerts in Chambana would be for artists big enough to hold shows at Foellinger and the Assembly Hall. Welcome back, Ben Folds…for the fifth straight month.
Even as someone who has never lived near the Chicagoland area — but who has attended a fair amount of concerts in the city and has enjoyed the music of countless artists who got their start putting on DIY shows at these small venues — I think this is a terrible idea. If you want to get more in-depth information and learn what you can do to help save the scene, visit these great links:
Jim DeRogatis (music writer for the Chicago Sun-Times) discusses the law and provides a full-text copy of the legislation
Chicago Music Commission - has tons of information about the ordinance and how to voice your opposition
Save Chicago Culture - group that is starting a petition to prevent the passage of the law
Chris Hassen: I'm an English major. And to answer your next question: No, I don't want to be a teacher.
Comments
Steve (Steve) says:
(Posted May 14th, 2008 at 8:13 am)
O, apparently the ordinance won’t be voted on today!
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the217
Buzz Magazine
Chris Hassen
I'm an English major. And to answer your next question: No, I don't want to be a teacher.
Steve (Steve) says:
(Posted May 14th, 2008 at 8:09 am)
This could really end up to be a huge detriment to the Chicago music scene. I’m mad I didn’t know about this earlier.