With major corporations having an increasing influence over ticketing and concert bookings, a handful of independent venues in Chicago are fighting back. According to The Chicago Tribute, these venues are banding together to slow down work on the multi-billion dollar Lincoln Yards project in the city of Chicago. The $5 billion dollar development would include somewhere between three and five new concert halls with between 200 and 3,000 seats, all run by Live Nation.
The indie clubs, who together refer to themselves as Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL), worry that the megavenue will drive them out of business. They’re joined by locals that want to ask more questions about the new development. “This isn’t an anti-Live Nation movement,” said Robert Gomez, owner of Subterranean and Beat Kitchen in Chicago. “This is: If you’re going to alter the cultural music scene of the city, we need to be in the conversation.” He added that he often works with Live Nation.
Separately, Live Nation submitted a letter to Alderman Brian Hopkins of the city’s 2nd Ward. In the letter they assert their goal to be a good neighbor and work with independent venues. The venue is planned to be built along the North Branch of the Chicago River. In addition to the concert halls, Lincoln Yards would include residences, hotels and other businesses. The property is 54.5 acres, making this a massive addition to the North Side of Chicago.
CIVL was officially announced on Thursday, November 29. In addition to Gomez’s venues Subterranean and Beat Kitchen, members include The Hideout, Thalia Hall and the Empty Bottle, Metro, Martyrs’, Schubas and Lincoln Hall, and the new Sleeping Village. According to the Tribune, promoter Jam Productions is also a supporter of the organization. The root issue? The indie venues want the city to delay approving the site’s plan and implementing a new tax incremet financing (TIF) district in the area, which places property tax revenues into a special fund for 23 years. They’ve also offered their own expertise in running venues and advise on how to maintain Chicago’s storied indie music culture. Ald. Hopkins has said he hasn’t decided on the course of action but added that he won’t make a decision until answering the questions of the concerned parties.
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