Music & Chicago’s Neighborhoods

3/2/2021

I’ll always have a soft spot for live music and the local Chicago venues which helped weave the fabric of my many great Chicago memories throughout the years.

Chicago’s north side Music clubs were what initially attracted me to moving to the Lakeview neighborhood right out of college. Over the course of many years in my 20’s, I lived in five different apartments throughout the area. For me, being able to see live music in the area was important enough that part of my renting decisions were based on easy access to being able to see up-and-coming bands, both local and nationally-based.  

During this time, you could find Nirvana and Radiohead playing some of their first national shows at the Metro, the Smashing Pumpkins slowly making their way at now-defunct places like Avalon, or Steve Earle playing an intimate acoustic set at Schubas. Part of the fun was watching these artists reach much greater heights as their music catalogue grew.

 As I’ve grown older, I don’t get a chance to see as many local shows as I’d like, but it got me to thinking more about why others choose to live where they live in our great Chicago neighborhoods. Some of my friends and clients are attracted to the proximity to their jobs, the lake, public transportation, school, the fantastic local restaurants and retail shops, etc.--the list is endless. Whatever the reason, Chicago’s distinct neighborhoods continue to be a great pull.

During this trying time of Covid, it looks like we may be finally seeing some light at the end of tunnel. I look forward to the coming months when live music venues, restaurants and storefront businesses will re-open to capacity. These businesses make our Chicago neighborhoods distinct and deserve our continued support.

If you would like support the Chicago music venue staff, please see the following link: https://civlchicago.com/donate