How does C3 Radius Clause Benefit Local Chicago Bands?

That of course assuming your band isn’t at the level to play Lollapalooza. By this time you may have heard a bit about the investigation into C3 Presents, the coordinator of Lollapalooza, being an anti-trust. There is a

great review by Jim DeRogatis here for your reference.    

C3 is being investigated for what seems to be a far too rigid radius clause in their contracts with artists hat perform at Lollapalooza. These clauses keep the artists from playing in Chicago and 300 miles round for a good portion of the year. C3's attempt to protect their investment in the festival has caused negative repercussions to midsize venues in Chicago, however has created voids that local acts can use to their advantage.

Of course if you are a concert goer in Chicago it has been noticed less national acts are touring through during the summers since Lolla arrived.

At a first glance a dipping economy, reported lacking concert ticket sales and high gas prices seem to be the reason less bands are touring and less music is in Chicago. With a closer look you will find that those factors are only a small part of what is happening and this radius clause is affecting the city’s music scene. This is the obvious part. A not often noted aspect about this whole situation is the affect this has had on the indpendent market in Chicago.

Consider that the 120+ bands that are being kept from performing within 300 miles of Chicago for most of the year are leaving a whole lot of vacant slots stacking up in some of the midsize Chicago venues. This is now giving a lot of independent local and touring acts shots at clubs they never would get a shot at. This void in the touring market though Chicago has increased the opportunity for a flourishing independent market and changed the climate tremendously both for the good and the bad.