Belleville
First Life Industries
We're a Collective group aimed to promote the DIY scene in the Belleville area located 30 minutes outside of St. Louis. FLI aims to ensure a proper and DIY minded environment for every show organized, whether it be through Rec Park houses, Basements, Garages, etc, etc. Mainstream and Modern Music will not be booked but can be pointed in the right direction. Contact the company at firstlifeindustries@hotmail.com
Carbondale
The Swamp
come here, watch shows, do whatever, don't fuck with people. have fun. if you want to book a show, send us a message.
Champaign
Dan Aykroyd’s House
Mostly basement shows with local and national touring bands. Range form a few hardcore to acoustic shows a month. Very clean home, with plenty of room for touring bands to crash.
Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
we encourage both local, touring, and independent events by hosting concerts, performance art shows, community activist meetings, etc for community composed local residents and u of i students. we promote community building through cooperation, music, and activism. to book, visit shows.ucimc.org or email shows@ucimc.org.
Chicago * Also take a look at DIY Chicago
Ball Hall
an old ball room/union hall in humboldt park housing a tone of kids. most interested in weirdo acoustics/small production musicians, performance arts, readings, etc. plenty of room, would love to hear from you.
CAMP BELL
a venue on the southside of Chicago. We have shows at our place every other week on either Friday/Saturday. All shows are “suggested donation 3-5 dollars” … but people can come enjoy themselves for free if they choose to do so. We have a HUGE warehouse/studio space that can hold any type of performance imaginable. Theater, comedy, music, poetry readings, happenings… whathaveyou. Bands of all genres will be accepted. Places to crash if you’re touring through. We love to cook! We will feed you! What more could you want?
For booking info contact AUSTIN at austincpruett@yahoo.com
Gacy Hole
we have shows. we book our own shows. if we want you to play, we'll ask you. come to our house and don't treat it like shit. one show a month, always on saturday. if you don't like it, too fucking bad. gacyhole@gmail.com
Moon Roof
We are a DIY "rooftop venue" that will be setting up acoustic shows on
our wonderful rooftop in Chicago. Shows will occur on Sunday
afternoons. All events are BYOB and there are three charcoal grills
for serious BBQing. Please message us if interested in playing.
The Orphanage
non profit performance space/art gallery that hosts Sunday Night Feasts (they put out a huge vegetarian spread). an indoor forest of large tree sculptures, and a sizable dance floor/secondary set up/hula hooping space in front of the stage.
Simpledays
kids are die-hards you gotta' love it "our last house (poolpartyhouse) got tore down and turned it into a parking lot." looking to mostly help out touring bands, and make new like-minded friends. no booze or substance. bike co-op, label/distro.
Treasure Town
We are an independent arts venue located on Chicago's south side. If interested in booking your band, art opening, or party, please message us. All shows have a suggested donation of 5 dollars. DIY Ethos without the pretentiousness. CONTACT us through our myspace or by email at treasuretownchicago@gmail.com.
East Moline
Mix Tapes
a record store with a pretty full calendar. home of the east moline sound... like what?
East Peoria
The Bean Coffeehouse
We are venue that exists solely for the bands. We dont take a cut and we give a percentage of our drink sales to the bands as well. We do everything ourselves (booking, sound, lighting, etc). We did everything for our coffeehouse ourselves (design, counters, built the furniture, etc). We are a totally DIY material. We want to network with other DIY venues.
Lake Villa
Swing State
an all ages venue for strictly original music. also a hookah lounge, art gallery, and cafe rolled up in the mix. ALSO NOTE: If you're looking to perform the 2nd Tuesday of any month & you're interested in an experimental/avant garde show, you should contact Jesse (who hosts "Sonic Phonic Catatonic Tuesday").
Macomb
the farm house
we have a house. we have shows. we have fun. the shows are all ages and we are open to all genres of music. if you want to play here email us at thefarmhousemacomb@gmail.com or contact us on myspace
The Loft
a spacious loft apartment above a stereo installation business in Macomb's vintage downtown courthouse square, about a mile from Western Illinois University. We have space for 80 kids comfortably and 120 kids maximum, 13 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and kids who are willing to dance to music. We are proud to say that we are able to provide food and lodging to travelling bands. The A.D.D. Loft is a great place to watch a show because it is cozy and full of contagious energy. We have an eclectic taste in music and will book just about any music genre, so give us a holler at www.myspace.com/theaddloft . See you at the next show!
The Day Old Basement
John Stout says, "booking who ever wants to play. We put on shows for the kids in our town who love to see live music. We don't really ask for anything in return, except to keep booking more bands in order to keep our local scene alive."
Normal
The Lake House
six dudes, one garage. one or two shows a month, donations based, money goes to outta town bands. we like most kinds of bands, so send us a message if you're interested in playing a show!
get at us through the myspace or ourownlakehouse@gmail.com
Oak Lawn
The Island
a large apartment/loft dealy. prefer accomodating experimental/indie/noise/folk/jazz/obscure pop/no wave/minimalist acts. in the southwest Chicago suburbs Oak Lawn; Sleep-overs are very possible granted a little preparation takes place.
Rockford
ELB ( Emanuel Lutheran Church Basement)
A non for profit venue aimed to provide Rockford with a place where all age groups can participate in creative mediums such as: music, art, and cinematography. Generally speaking, the shows are geared towards young adults but occasionally have music selections that can be enjoyed by the more seasoned generations. Shows are generally $4. If you bring canned or non-parishable food items for the Emmanuel Food Pantry, you can get $1 off your entry price. The money from the show will be distributed to the ELB expenses and the bands or artists. Any Questions? Email elbevents@gmail.com
Springfield
The Black Sheep Cafe
A place where people can come and check out both local bands and touring bands. We are an all ages venue and focus on bringing underground music to Springfield.
Urbana
Geppetto's Workshop
basement/front room shows that are great for acoustic and indie style acts.
Bands can crash at my house even if they don't play here. Anyone driving close to Champaign/Urbana is more that welcome to sleep on the couch and get some pancakes in the morning.
Best way to book here is either dkeupmusic@gmail.com or calling me at 815-341-1946 ask for Darwin
Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
we encourage both local, touring, and independent events by hosting concerts, performance art shows, community activist meetings, etc for community composed local residents and u of i students. we promote community building through cooperation, music, and activism. to book, visit shows.ucimc.org or email shows@ucimc.org.
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