EDM Banned from Chicago’s Congress Theater, but is there a Loophole?

There’s been a lot of banning going on lately in the electronic dance music world, and now it’s time to say goodbye to “EDM” itself at Chicago’s Congress Theater, because “the community does not want those events there,” according to the City of Chicago local liquor commissioner Gregory Steadman.

As part of an agreement with the City of Chicago, the Congress Theater has permanently banned EDM concerts: “music created by a DJ or multiple DJs primarily using specialized equipment and software instead of traditional instruments.” Congress Theater, which has been shut down since losing its liquor license last year as well as a series of other violations, has been facing heavy opposition over the EDM crowds and shows from local neighbors which furthered the motion to ban it officially in July of 2014. While Steadman claims the community does not believe all EDM is “bad”, he explains the ban is more so in place because a venue that seats only 5,000 is not an appropriate enough size for an EDM crowd.

This theater has seen some incredible heavy hitters including Skrillex, Adventure Club, Flosstradamus, Flux Pavilion, Baauer, Major Lazer and much, much more. And, while EDM is officially banned from the theater regardless of the owner, it seems certain acts might be able to slip through a loophole. According to DNA Info, the City of Chicago explains”…an EDM performance shall be defined as a performance of Electronic Dance Music or any performance by a DJ or multiple DJs featured the playing of prerecorded music. “Performers that incorporate electronic beats or prerecorded music in their acts shall be allowed, provided those performers either sing vocals or play an instrument(s) (or do both) during their performance.”

This statement seems to leave doors open for acts such as Keys N Krates, ASTR, Bonobo, Break Science, GRiZmatik, Pretty Lights, Big Gigantic, STS9, Clean Bandit, and quite a few more, that all  include at least one live instrument ranging from drums to saxophone in all of their sets. It has not yet been confirmed if this loophole is actually accessible, but it does and should raise some questions and eyebrows.

Only time will tell if Congress will ever be blessed with a live EDM set ever again…

EDM Banned from Chicago’s Congress Theater, but is there a Loophole?