The Congress Theater in Chicago, which closed its doors a little over a year ago after losing its liquor license, has plans to reopen in the near future. The catch: no EDM allowed.
According to the city’s liquor control commissioner, Gregory Steadman, the initial liquor revocation was largely due to safety issues at EDM events. He explains that while not all EDM events are necessarily bad, the community is not in favor of them.
The city qualifies EDM as “music created by a DJ or multiple DJs primarily using specialised equipment and software instead of traditional instruments.” Live dance music acts, however, will be permitted: “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).”
No date has been put in place for the reopening, and the venue still lacks a liquor license.
The agreement will remain in effect if the theater is ever sold.