The Chicago anti-promoter ordinance must not pass.

Posted on May 12, 2008 by Tankboy

In Chicago they’re trying to shove through a new ordinance that would force independent promoters to purchase a “promoter’s license” and insure their events even if they’re promoting an event in a venue that’s already insured. This would put me out of the promotion business. Local blogs and fanzines would no longer be able to book a bill at places like Double Door, The Empty Bottle, Schubas, Metro, or Hideout. Fundraisers would cease to exist.

And I’m just thinking of the live music community … if this thing passes the dance scene in Chicago will basically disappear overnight.

Chicagoist — the local Chicago website I write for — writers Marcus and Lizz have written about this situation much better than I have, and Jim DeRogatis’ daily updates have proven invaluable.

If you are reading this and live in Chicago LET YOUR ALDERMAN KNOW HOW MUCH YOU DISAPPROVE OF THIS … TODAY! RIGHT NOW! RIGHT THIS SECOND! And be sure to mention that if they DO vote for it, they’ve lost YOUR vote when they run for re-election.

If you don’t live here, well, wish us luck … or your band / DJ crew / hip-hop group might have a much harder time finding a gig next time you come through town.

UPDATE: The Chicago “anti-promoter” ordinance has been tabled for “further research” so there will be no vote on it tomorrow. Independent promotion is safe in Chicago for now, and I think it’s entirely due to the strong and immediate response from the music community. I’ve been told this is 100% sure to still come to a vote — possibly within the next month — so folks need to keep the pressure up on Chicago aldermen!

About Tankboy

Tankboy resides in the body of Jim Kopeny and lives in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago with his girlfriend, Pickle the Kitten, Sasha the Cat, and a beagle named Betty who may actually be slightly more famous than most of the musicians slogging through the local scene. He's written about music for much longer than most bands you hear on the radio have even existed. He also swears that it wasn't him who did that and has learned that "deny everything" is a basic tenet of existence.
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5 Responses to The Chicago anti-promoter ordinance must not pass.

  1. m. says:
    May 13, 2008 at 12:10 am

    so this could kill indie rock?

    Reply
  2. Tankboy says:
    May 13, 2008 at 12:18 am

    Think of it this way, a majority of the bills are put together by smaller promoters, which expands the number of bands that get a fair listen. I used to book a club and can attest to the fact that there is a lot of music out there that can get lost in the cracks when it lacks a champion beyond the band.

    Independent promoters do a lot of that work inside of the scene.

    Reply
  3. Jeff says:
    May 13, 2008 at 2:10 am

    Wow, that would really suck! We (the Milwaukees) have toured Europe a couple of times and one of the reason touring over there is better than over here is because allof the shows are put on by independent promoters.

    Having a promoter who has to have people in the house in order to avoid losing money means a greater chance of a good show for bands and fans. I wish there were more independent promoters in the US.

    Of course, this is not a concern for politicians or insurance companies, or whoever is at the root of this.

    Anyway, fight hard Chicago!

    Reply
  4. m. says:
    May 13, 2008 at 9:13 am

    ….so this could kill indi rock?

    m.

    Reply

  5. Pingback: Chicago, don’t take away our music! | always (fashionably) late