The historic Congress Theater in Chicago had been closed for more than a year following a run of drug problems amongst concert attendees, but the city and the venue have finally set some bylines to allow the concert hall to open once again. One requirement is rather severe however: No EDM concerts will be allowed.
It's a huge blow to the city and genre, which comes in the wake of a bad year of drug-related incidents at electronic music concerts and festivals. Big events such as the Electric Daisy and Ultra festivals have been marred by attendee deaths, as have individual shows by performers such as Zedd. The city is obviously looking to avoid problems rather than address them, although its own festivals such as Lollapalooza hosted big-name EDM acts without incident.
The new guidelines indicate the trouble in banning any one genre as most music is so hybridized that defining EDM isn't so simple. The term is described as "music created by a DJ or multiple DJs primarily using specialized equipment and software instead of traditional instruments." Does Daft Punk not count as EDM only if it brings a touring band to play hits such "Get Lucky"? What about alternative favorites such as Grimes? If Will Ferrell plays a cowbell during a Skrillex set, has the rule been thwarted due to his "traditional instrument"?
Although the venue hasn't released an official reopening date-and it might not have a liquor license when it does-expect for there to be clashes between the city and concert hall over what counts as "EDM." To twist a famous quote from Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart: "I know it when I hear it."
